Historischer Kunstbunker

About

Thanks to medieval cellars dug into the sandstone of Nuremberg's castle hill, much of the city's artistic heritage survived the devastating aerial bombardments of World War II. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, a large former beer cellar about 24 meters beneath the Imperial Castle was transformed into a unique storage facility where irreplaceable art treasures could be protected against damage, looting and preserved for future generations. Deep inside the castle hill, a simple but effective air-conditioning system was installed, as were moisture-proof storage cells and personnel facilities, insuring optimal protection for Nuremberg's rich store of historic works of art. Both the air raids which destroyed old Nuremberg and the unparalleled salvage of the city's artistic heritage are documented with original photos and an audio-visual presentation.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes