Kolding Besættelsestidssamling (Occupation Period Collection)

Intimate World War II bunker museum in Kolding, revealing local stories of occupation, resistance and policing inside an authentic underground command post.

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Kolding Besættelsestidssamling

Kolding Besættelsestidssamling is a small, atmospheric World War II museum housed in a former command bunker on Rømøvej in Kolding. Tied to Museum Kolding, it focuses on Denmark’s 1940–45 occupation, resistance work, and everyday life under German control. Original bunker rooms, period objects and themed displays bring the wartime police and civil defence stories to life in an intimate, immersive setting, typically visited on pre-booked guided group tours.

A brief summary to Kolding Besættelsestidssamling

Rømøvej 4, Kolding, 6000, DK
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Budget
Indoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Visits are typically by pre-booked group appointment; contact Museum Kolding in advance rather than expecting regular public opening hours.
The bunker has narrow corridors, low ceilings and few windows; bring a light jacket and be prepared for cool, confined spaces.
Content deals with wartime oppression and resistance; it can be intense for younger children, so consider this when planning family visits.
Combine the bunker visit with Museum Kolding’s Staldgården or Koldinghus to get a fuller picture of the city’s role during World War II and earlier periods.
Ask your guide about specific local stories from Kolding during the occupation; many exhibits are linked to named people and real events in the city.

Getting There

Local bus

From central Kolding, use a city bus line serving the residential area around Rømøvej; typical journeys from the railway station area take about 10–20 minutes depending on route and stops. A single adult ticket within the city usually costs around 20–30 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines or mobile apps. Buses run regularly during the day but are less frequent in evenings and on weekends, so check departure times in advance, especially if you have a pre-booked group visit at the bunker museum.
Taxi

A taxi from Kolding railway station or the historic centre to Rømøvej generally takes 10–15 minutes in normal traffic. Expect to pay roughly 120–180 DKK one way for a standard car, with higher rates at night and on public holidays. Taxis are convenient if you are visiting as a group at a fixed time or if public transport connections are sparse in the early morning or late evening.
Bicycle

Kolding is a compact city with cycle lanes on many main streets, and the distance from the central area to Rømøvej can typically be covered in about 15–25 minutes by bike at an easy pace. Terrain is mostly gentle with a few mild slopes, suitable for riders with basic cycling confidence. If you are using a rental or hotel bike, bring lights and a lock, and be prepared for wet or windy conditions outside the summer months.
Walking from central Kolding

For those already staying in Kolding, reaching Rømøvej on foot is feasible as part of a longer city walk, usually taking around 30–45 minutes from the inner centre depending on your exact starting point and pace. Pavements are generally good, but weather can be changeable and it may feel like a long walk for young children or visitors with reduced mobility, so consider combining walking one way with bus or taxi on the return.

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Discover more about Kolding Besættelsestidssamling

A wartime story hidden beneath Rømøvej

Tucked into a low-rise residential area on Rømøvej, Kolding Besættelsestidssamling occupies an authentic bunker complex that once formed part of the city’s command infrastructure. From the outside it appears modest, but stepping through the heavy doors takes you straight into the tense years of 1940–45, when Denmark was under German occupation and Kolding held strategic importance in Jutland. The collection belongs to Museum Kolding and focuses specifically on the occupation period, using the bunker as both setting and object. Thick concrete walls, narrow corridors and metal fixtures remind you that this was built for conflict and crisis long before it became a museum space.

Inside the original command bunker

The core of the experience lies in the preserved bunker rooms: map chambers, communications spaces and functional offices that once handled alerts, coordination and civil defence tasks. Simple, utilitarian furnishings, vintage telephones and control panels help evoke the operational feel of the site. Unlike purpose-built museum galleries, the exhibition winds through low ceilings and compact rooms, underscoring the sense of confinement that defined life underground. It is a physical reminder of how wartime planning and decision-making happened out of sight, even in a relatively small Danish city.

Life under occupation in Kolding

Exhibition stands and display cases are filled with objects from the occupation years: uniforms, paperwork, identification documents, armbands, rationing material and everyday items that show how the war reached into ordinary households. Together they sketch a portrait of Kolding as a community negotiating shortages, restrictions and political pressure. Panels and photographs explore topics such as local policing, curfews, collaboration and resistance, revealing the complicated choices people faced. The focus stays close to the city, grounding broader wartime history in specific streets, workplaces and individuals from Kolding and its surroundings.

Resistance, policing and investigations

One recurring theme is the role of the police and resistance in and around Kolding. Stories of surveillance, coded messages and clandestine activities are linked to the work carried out in facilities like this bunker. Some displays highlight major criminal and security cases from the period, tracing how investigations unfolded in a climate of censorship and fear. Through photos, documents and equipment, you gain an impression of how officers tried to uphold public order under occupation while some simultaneously supported resistance networks. The bunker’s stark setting gives these narratives an added intensity, as you stand where wartime decisions and alerts were once received.

Guided group visits and focused experiences

Kolding Besættelsestidssamling generally opens by appointment for groups, often with a guide familiar with both the building and the collection. Visits tend to be concentrated and content-rich, making the site well suited for history enthusiasts, school classes and anyone with a specific interest in World War II. Because the museum sits in a real bunker, space is limited and some passages are narrow, which adds to the authenticity but also means visits work best with smaller groups and a bit of planning. Combined with other Museum Kolding sites, the collection helps complete the picture of the city’s history from medieval castle to modern wartime front line.

A compact but memorable detour

Although not a large attraction, the bunker museum offers a distinctive contrast to Kolding’s more visible landmarks such as Koldinghus and the city centre museums. Here the focus is on atmosphere, original fabric and specific stories rather than broad national overviews. The result is a short yet memorable stop: an hour or two underground that can reshape how you think about Kolding’s streets above. For travellers interested in 20th-century history, military sites or the everyday realities of occupation, Kolding Besættelsestidssamling is a valuable and thought-provoking addition to a visit to South Jutland.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Saint Michaels Church

1.1 km

A modest 19th-century Catholic red-brick church in central Kolding, offering quiet reflection, intimate architecture and a glimpse of Denmark’s Catholic life.

Villa Gertrud - Bed & Breakfast

1.2 km

St Alban’s Church is Copenhagen’s only Anglican church—an elegant Neo-Gothic landmark in Churchill Park, celebrated for its English architectural charm and tranquil location.

Borchs Gård

1.3 km

A vividly painted Renaissance townhouse from 1595, Borchs Gård brings Kolding’s mercantile past to life on the edge of lively Akseltorv square.

Saint Nicolas Church

1.4 km

Kolding’s oldest church, where medieval roots, Renaissance artistry, and daily parish life meet under a red-brick neo‑Gothic tower.

Milling Hotel Saxildhus

1.4 km

Neo-Gothic English church set by Copenhagen’s Churchill Park and Kastellet, famed for its stained-glass windows, flint architecture, and tranquil atmosphere.

Kolding St.

1.4 km

The compact rail and bus hub that delivers you straight into Kolding’s mix of castle-topped history, cobbled streets and fjord-side modern design.

Fredericia Vold

20.3 km

Northern Europe's best-preserved fortress ramparts, where 370 years of Danish military history meets urban parkland.

Troldborg Ring

23.8 km

Iron Age refuge fortress on a wooded hilltop, where grassy ramparts, “Devil’s Valley” slopes and wide views over Vejle Ådal bring deep Danish history to life.

Vejle Vindmølle

24.8 km

Historic windmill turned art gallery with panoramic city views and rotating contemporary exhibitions.

VisitVejle

25.6 km

Explore Andelstrappen and Fortællegyngestolen in Odense: A fusion of nature's beauty and rich literary heritage.

The Midgård Well

26.0 km

A coiled Norse serpent, a quiet city fountain and a whole mythic world wrapped into one small corner of central Vejle.

Tirsbæk Gods

28.0 km

Experience Tirsbæk Gods, an enchanting Renaissance estate on Vejle Fjord offering historic architecture, idyllic gardens, and immersive events in Denmark’s scenic countryside.

Træskohage fyr

28.1 km

An awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral at the heart of Odense, steeped in royal history as Denmark’s only sainted king’s final resting place.

Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church

31.1 km

Experience contemporary art in Vejle's historic 1950s vending machine gallery.

Kongernes Jelling

31.2 km

UNESCO-designated Kongernes Jelling unites Viking mounds, rune stones, and a modern museum, tracing Denmark’s earliest kings and the nation’s Christian roots.

Unmissable attractions to see

Guldtunnel

0.9 km

A once-ordinary underpass turned into a glowing golden light tunnel, Guldtunnelen adds a surprising touch of playful design to everyday Kolding strolls.

Little Kolding Å Park

0.9 km

A small, quiet green pocket along Kolding Å where river, trees and town meet, perfect for a brief pause, a dog walk or a gentle riverside stroll.

Old Cemetery

0.9 km

Historic 1806 cemetery turned tranquil green refuge, where copper beeches, cast‑iron fences and war memorials quietly tell two centuries of Kolding’s story.

Kolding Valgmenighed

1.0 km

A modern free congregation in a converted industrial building, blending relaxed worship, family-focused activities and flexible spaces in everyday Kolding surroundings.

Geografisk Have

1.1 km

Botanical world map, miniature historic Kolding and gentle animal encounters combine in this spacious garden-park, Kolding’s signature green escape for all ages.

Borgerhaven

1.1 km

A small 1930s garden tucked behind historic walls, where flowers, old brickwork and a cannonball in the gable tell Kolding’s story in a single quiet courtyard.

Helligkorsgade 18

1.2 km

A beloved, free-entry family park in central Kolding featuring creative playgrounds, lakeside pedal boats, mini-golf, picnic spots, and open-air relaxation for all ages.

The Passage

1.2 km

Encounter the legacy of pioneering sculptor Anne Marie Carl Nielsen through this evocative public artwork in the vibrant central square of Kolding.

The Spanish stairs

1.3 km

A broad, tile-clad staircase with Lin Utzon’s art, the Spanish Stairs link Kolding’s old streets to its castle hill in a gently Mediterranean-feeling urban pause.

Anne Marie Carl Nielsen

1.3 km

Intimate bronze tribute to Denmark’s trailblazing female sculptor, quietly anchoring Kolding’s central square amid markets, daily life and shifting Jutland light.

Mindesten for Kolding Havns 100 Års Jubilæum

1.3 km

Discover 'Uffe hin Spage,' Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen's iconic bronze statue in Kolding's Byparken, celebrating Danish folklore and artistic heritage.

Mindesten for Kolding Havns 100 Års Jubilæum

Galleri Pagter

1.4 km

Intimate gallery in the heart of Kolding showcasing distinctive Danish ceramics and graphic art in a calm, carefully curated setting.

Stable Yard

1.4 km

Historic whitewashed stables turned city museum, where royal horses, design heritage and Denmark’s only preserved Gestapo cell share one atmospheric courtyard.

Castle Garden

1.5 km

A tranquil belt of lawns, trees and lake reflections wrapped around Koldinghus, where everyday life and 750 years of castle history share the same green hillside.

Koldinghus

1.5 km

A 750‑year‑old royal fortress reborn as an award‑winning museum, where raw brick ruins, modern timber and sweeping tower views tell the story of Denmark in one castle.

French-inspired bistro at the heart of Kolding, blending classic Gallic dishes, Danish ingredients and a cosy, candlelit atmosphere ideal for both lunch and long dinners.

A central Kolding women’s clothing shop offering practical, Scandinavian-inspired everyday fashion in a compact, easy-to-browse high-street space.

Gundtoft KOLDING CITY

1.3 km

Elegant women's fashion in Kolding's design-forward city centre, featuring curated Danish and international brands.

Atmospheric Kolding bar in a historic townhouse, pouring beer and wine in warmly lit, wood‑paneled rooms that feel like the city’s convivial living room.

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Kolding Besættelsestidssamling (Occupation Period Collection)

A brief summary to Kolding Besættelsestidssamling

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Local bus

Taxi

Bicycle

Walking from central Kolding

Kolding Besættelsestidssamling location weather suitability

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Discover more about Kolding Besættelsestidssamling

A wartime story hidden beneath Rømøvej

Inside the original command bunker

Life under occupation in Kolding

Resistance, policing and investigations

Guided group visits and focused experiences

A compact but memorable detour

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Saint Michaels Church

Villa Gertrud - Bed & Breakfast

Borchs Gård

Saint Nicolas Church

Milling Hotel Saxildhus

Kolding St.

Fredericia Vold

Troldborg Ring

Vejle Vindmølle

VisitVejle

The Midgård Well

Tirsbæk Gods

Træskohage fyr

Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church

Kongernes Jelling

Unmissable attractions to see

Guldtunnel

Little Kolding Å Park

Old Cemetery

Kolding Valgmenighed

Geografisk Have

Borgerhaven

Helligkorsgade 18

The Passage

The Spanish stairs

Anne Marie Carl Nielsen

Mindesten for Kolding Havns 100 Års Jubilæum

Galleri Pagter

Stable Yard

Castle Garden

Koldinghus

Essential places to dine

Restaurant Flammen

La Ghitarra Pizza

Salinaz

Trattoria-Pizzeria Piccola Italia

Sawadee Thai

Den Hvide Hest

Cafe Marcello's

Restaurant Over Aaen

Den Gyldne Hane

Bone's Kolding

Naz Barbecue Restaurant

A Hereford Beefstouw - Kolding

Spirit Sushi

Taco Og tarteletter Take Away

Den Blå Bistro

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Jungle Records

Sinnerup Kolding

Kims Kiosk Skateshop - Koldings skatebutik

Red Barnet genbrugsbutik

HARRESØ

Kul og Koks

Kop & Kande Kolding C

Only

DNA Kolding

Rituals