Historischer Kunstbunker — Attraction in Nuremberg

This is for both the Art Bunker English tour and the castle tunnels English tour, both of which begin here. Excellent overall! Both tours are conducted in German, but there are English audio guides available (free). I got more out of the bunker tour just because the audio guide stops are clearly specified for the entire route, and there are no real gaps (German info w/o English equivalent) between them. You also have a little more room to wander and get nice photos, because you aren't tied to the tour group as much. The guide was wonderful and happy to answer my questions afterward. Ask about the lost musical instrument screw - the only "treasure" piece not successfully relocated after the war! It would make an interesting display if they ever chose to include it. Highly recommend if you come to Nuremberg for WWII history. The entire story is about preservation of German irreplaceable art and treasure, the foresight that allowed it to be as successful as it was, and the restoration of the city after allied bombing. Just a really cool behind-the-scenes saga of the real impact of the war on a centuries-old, historic German town. Helps you to really understand on a personal level what was lost (and saved)!

The tunnel tour has several "stops" not numbered and you rely on your guide to accurately tell you the numbers to use... Mine wasn't so accurate, but I figured it out. Be sure to do #1&2 at the meeting point. #5 starts just down inside the tunnels. There is more extra commentary beyond the audio, leaving you wondering what you've missed, but it's clear the guide tried to accommodate me as the only English audio user. This tour could benefit from a few more audio numbers to match better with the guide. But if you pay attention I think you come away with what's important. This tour is a great addition to the general castle admission; focus is completely on the defense of the castle and construction of the defense system, which the main castle visit doesn't cover. Nice and cool inside on a hot day - perfectly doable in short sleeves, but if you get chilled easily, bring a light jacket.

Both tours can be easily and conveniently done back to back. Recommend booking your tickets online because availability in COVID times is especially limited for the tunnel tour. Sounds like they're working on additional English audio for more tours in 2022, but these are the only two in English...

One of the most fascinating places in Nuremberg, an underground warren of rock-cut passageways that once sheltered the city’s greatest treasures during World War II. From Dürer paintings to medieval stained glass and sculptures, priceless works of art were hidden here to survive the bombing raids that leveled much of the city above. The air is cool and damp, the walls rough, and yet the exhibits bring to life a story of foresight and preservation that’s as moving as it is unexpected.

Walking through the tunnels, you pass machinery for air circulation, bunk rooms for guards, and displays showing how artworks were crated and stored. It feels less like a museum and more like stepping into a secret vault where culture itself was under protection.

One detail I loved is how they show black-and-white photos of masterpieces lined up underground, waiting out the war in wooden crates and makeshift shelves. It’s surreal to realize that the same corridors you’re standing in once cradled works now hanging in world-class museums. The Kunstbunker isn’t just about the past, it’s about the lengths a city will go to keep its identity alive, even in its...

Whilst historically very important, the negative review is due to the lack of transparency and/or clear information for visitors. You need to buy tickets through a machine, at the main entrance, where the main door is shut. Only after tickets are bought you will find the small letters informing of the mandarory guided tour, in some 75 minutes from purchase! Very disappointing to say the least. What if you cannot wait? Check the website before visiting. On the positive end, the fact that we were lucky with our guide. A knowledgeable local historian with perfect British English, which made the wait to be worth it. Despite very interesting, Nuremberg is one of the least tourist friendly cities in Germany. I've visited most of this lovely country, north to south, several times over the years and will always come back, but never to Nuremberg. Parking is a challenge outside the city historic center. Could not visit the courts where WWII trials took place due to the...