Activity details
Lettingstraat 64
8950 Heuvelland
Belgium
Bunker Day @
Command Bunker Kemmel
Sunday 2 June 2024
Bunkers are not only iconic elements in our landscape. They also are silent witnesses to the past, represent a living part of our heritage and are a permanent reminder that war remains a topical subject. Worn out by time or well preserved, they offer a unique aesthetic capturing many people’s imagination.
Built in the early 1950s, when the Cold War was in full swing, the Command Bunker Kemmel was intended as a coordination bunker for Belgium and its allies, as part of Western Europe’s air defence. It remained vacant until the 1960s, when the Belgian army converted it into its command post to be used in the event of war, conflict or exercise. It was then meant to serve as general staff headquarters should the Warsaw Pact attack.
On Bunker Day an experienced guide will take you twenty meters below the surface, in the very belly of Mount Kemmel, to discover a universe where the scent of secret missions floats and invisible enemies lurk, in a climate of tension that is sure to strike a chord with everyone! A historical evocation even brings the bunker back to life and offers a realistic perspective on its historical importance and impact.
Be sure to register now in order not to miss this unique opportunity to discover the secrets of the Command Bunker! The good news? It’s free!
Practical information
Access: free
Guided tours scheduled at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (duration: 1h30).
Registration mandatory before 31 May, via this link.
Please note that the number of available places is limited! Maximum 90 people per time slot. First registered, first served!
The bunker is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, due to an 80-step staircase and the absence of an elevator.
Organisation of the Command Bunker program: War Heritage Institute - Plateau West, in collaboration with Toerisme Heuvelland and VVV Heuvelland npo