The bunker was designed to protect currency from both nuclear radiation and chemical/biological weapons.
Two different series of emergency banknotes were stored here, which were never officially put into circulation.
Employees working at the facility were sworn to absolute secrecy for decades, even from their own families.
The vault doors weighed approximately 10 tonnes each.
The exterior facade was built as a nondescript villa to blend into the quiet residential neighborhood of Cochem.
The facility was kept operational and fully stocked for over 25 years.
To prevent mold and degradation of the paper currency, the climate control system maintained precise humidity and temperature levels.
The Bundesbank Bunker Cochem is a Cold War-era subterranean vault designed to store billions in emergency substitute currency. Constructed between 1964 and 1966, the facility was disguised as a residential home to avoid public detection. It was intended to house a secret German mark series, known as BBk II, to stabilize the economy in the event of a hyperinflationary crisis or nuclear conflict. The bunker remained in operation until 1988 and was decommissioned in the 1990s. The site features original vault doors, ventilation systems, and security checkpoints preserved in their original state. Visitors can explore the living quarters, decontamination chambers, and heavy-duty storage areas.
The massive, reinforced steel vault door and the corridor leading to the currency storage chambers.
Pre-book your tour online, as guided groups are strictly limited in size.
Wear a jacket regardless of the outdoor temperature, as the interior remains consistently cool.
Wear flat, sturdy shoes for walking on concrete bunker floors.
Do not attempt to visit without a pre-booked guided tour; the bunker is not accessible for independent wandering.
Closed during the winter months from December through February.
Maintain silence during the guided presentation; photography is permitted in most areas but restricted during specific historical media segments.
