Bunker Gerichtsgasse: A Silent Witness to Wartime Vienna

The Bunker Gerichtsgasse, located in Vienna's 21st district of Floridsdorf, stands as a poignant reminder of World War II and the city's struggle for survival during the Allied bombings. Constructed between the summer of 1944 and the spring of 1945, this massive concrete air raid shelter was built by Hungarian Jews, Poles, and Russian laborers from the Vienna-Floridsdorf satellite camp of Mauthausen. These individuals were forced to work for Siemens, which produced V-2 rocket components, as well as the Heinkel-Süd aircraft factory and the Floridsdorf Oil Refinery.The bunker provided refuge for these workers during the 52 Allied bombing raids that targeted Vienna. These attacks destroyed 37,000 buildings and left approximately 20% of the city in ruins. Following the completion of the bunker, the laborers were forced on a 120-mile march to the Mauthausen concentration camp in Upper Austria. Today, the bunker's exterior has been painted with warm pastels, a stark contrast to its somber past. The entrances have been bricked up, preventing access inside.While not prominently featured on tourist maps, the Bunker Gerichtsgasse offers a unique opportunity to reflect on Vienna's wartime experience and the resilience of its people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving memory and learning from the past.