Descend into one of Europe's most extraordinary Cold War secrets — the Bundesbank's classified underground bunker beneath the Moselle hills, built to store West Germany's emergency currency reserve. A chillingly fascinating piece of 20th-century history few travellers ever see.
What to expect
Hidden beneath a pastoral hillside near Cochem, this bunker was constructed in the 1960s to store the Bundesbank's entire emergency currency reserve — billions in banknotes — in the event of a nuclear crisis. Declassified in 1997, it is now one of Germany's most unusual museums, rated 4.5★ on Tripadvisor with over 240 reviews. The 30-minute guided tour (in German with English materials available) leads visitors through vault corridors, the original printing and sorting machinery, staff quarters, and the eerie sealed rooms where West Germany's financial survival would have been managed. The atmosphere is utterly unique: Cold War tension preserved perfectly underground.
Good to know
Tours run at fixed times daily (11 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM) and last approximately 30 minutes. The bunker is roughly 5 km from Cochem town centre — a short taxi ride is the most practical option. Combine with a morning castle visit for a full and varied day ashore. Pre-booking is not always required but advisable for groups.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Cochem — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Cochem
- Reichsburg Cochem: Private Guided Castle Tour & Battlements
- Moselle River Cruise: Kolb Brothers Scenic Wine-Village Voyage
- Moselle Wine Masterclass: Koll & Cie Private Estate Tasting
- Cochemer Sesselbahn Chairlift & Pinnerkreuz Summit Panorama
- Historische Senfmühle Cochem: Master Miller's Mustard Experience