Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Step into an original German WWII bunker in Silkeborg and discover how a quiet Jutland hillside became the nerve centre of Denmark’s wartime occupation.

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Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum is a compact World War II museum housed in an authentic German R622 concrete bunker on the edge of the forests near Silkeborg. Once part of the German military headquarters in Denmark from 1943 to 1945, it now holds weapons, uniforms, documents, maps and photos that illuminate the occupation, local resistance and the later story of German refugees in the area. The low, narrow corridors and cool air preserve an intense, tangible sense of wartime atmosphere.

A brief summary to Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Gjessøvej 42, C, Silkeborg, 8600, DK
+4586813885
Visit website
Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
Budget
Indoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

Local tips

Bring a light jacket; the concrete bunker stays cool and slightly damp even on warm days.
If you are sensitive to confined spaces, be prepared for low ceilings and narrow corridors inside the bunker.
Check current Sunday opening hours and seasonal closures in advance, as the museum often only opens one afternoon per week.
Allow extra time to explore other wartime bunkers and forest paths in the surrounding Silkeborg Bad area.

Getting There

Local bus from central Silkeborg

From central Silkeborg, use a city or regional bus service heading toward the Silkeborg Bad area or Gjessøvej; typical journey times range from 10 to 20 minutes depending on the route and traffic. Buses usually run at least once an hour on weekdays, with reduced frequency in the evening and on Sundays, so it is worth checking a current timetable. A single adult ticket within the local zone system generally costs around DKK 20–30, with discounts for children and multi-ride cards.
Taxi from Silkeborg town centre

Taxis are widely available around Silkeborg’s central areas and offer the most direct option to the bunkermuseum. The drive typically takes 8 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact starting point. Fares within the city limits often begin with a fixed start fee and then a per‑kilometre charge, so you can expect a one‑way trip to cost roughly DKK 120–180. Taxis are convenient for small groups or visitors with limited mobility, especially outside regular bus hours.
Cycling from Silkeborg centre

Silkeborg is a cycle‑friendly town with paths and quieter roads leading toward the lake and forest areas. From the central districts, many cyclists reach the bunkermuseum area in about 20 to 30 minutes at a moderate pace. The route includes some gentle gradients but no extreme hills, and it is generally suitable for anyone accustomed to urban cycling. Bike rental is available in town, and this option allows you to combine the museum visit with a wider circuit around the nearby lakes and woodland.

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum location weather suitability

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Discover more about Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

A wartime headquarters hidden in the woods

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum occupies a solid German type R622 bunker, one of around a dozen large concrete bunkers and numerous smaller ones that formed the German military headquarters in Denmark during the final years of the Second World War. Step through the heavy doorway and you are entering the nerve centre from which the occupying forces coordinated operations throughout the country between November 1943 and June 1945. The bunker sits in a green fringe of Silkeborg, close to the former spa resort of Silkeborg Bad, where senior officers once lodged in far more comfortable surroundings. Inside, the raw concrete, narrow corridors and steel fixtures remain largely intact, giving a striking sense of how this command post once functioned as part of a much wider fortified landscape.

Inside the concrete shell

The museum unfolds across two main rooms linked by short, low passages. Original details such as cable ducts, ventilation openings and armoured doors frame the displays, reminding you that this was built to withstand bombing rather than to welcome visitors. The tight spaces and low ceilings make the experience immersive, but also intense for anyone sensitive to confined environments. In the exhibition you find a focused collection of weapons, radios, field telephones, personal equipment and uniforms. Wall panels, maps and period photographs trace the organisation of the headquarters, showing how orders moved from high command in Silkeborg out to units across Denmark. The contrast between utilitarian military hardware and small personal objects hints at the human lives that once filled the bunker.

Occupation, resistance and refugees

Beyond the military story, Silkeborg Bunkermuseum also explores how the headquarters shaped everyday life in the surrounding area. Visual material and texts describe the presence of German troops around Silkeborg, including fortifications scattered in the nearby woods and hills. The exhibition outlines how increased control from this command centre affected local communities and how resistance activities evolved in response. After the German capitulation, the story of the bunkers took a new turn. Many German refugees were housed in the area, and the museum dedicates space to their conditions, routines and uncertain futures. This post-war chapter widens the perspective, showing that the concrete structures did not simply fall silent in May 1945 but continued to frame lives for years afterwards.

Atmosphere of an intact bunker

Part of the museum’s impact lies in its scale. It is small enough to absorb in a single visit, yet dense with detail. The air remains cool and slightly damp, light levels are low, and sounds carry differently through the thick walls, all of which combine to create a powerful sense of time travel. You are never far from the exterior earth berms and surrounding greenery, but once the door closes, the outside world feels distant. Because of the bunker layout, movement can be a little constrained, especially on busy days. The concrete thresholds and narrow passageways may pose challenges for visitors with limited mobility, and the enclosed environment can be demanding for anyone uncomfortable underground. For those prepared for the conditions, however, the setting itself becomes one of the most memorable elements of the visit.

Planning your visit

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum generally opens on Sunday afternoons, typically from March to December, with the possibility of group visits by prior arrangement. At times it may close for the winter season, so checking current opening periods before you plan is important. The compact size means that most visitors can explore the displays in under an hour, leaving time to combine the bunker with walks in the nearby woods or a broader exploration of Silkeborg’s museums. As a specialised WWII site, the museum particularly appeals to those interested in military history, the occupation of Denmark and the politics of command. Yet its human stories, intimate scale and evocative setting also make it accessible to curious travellers who simply wish to understand how this quiet corner of Jutland once stood at the centre of a European conflict.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

1.3 km

A modest memorial stone in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where forest tranquillity and wartime history meet in a quiet, contemplative woodland clearing.

Silkeborg Water Tower

2.1 km

A heritage-listed industrial landmark symbolising Silkeborg's textile manufacturing legacy.

silkeborg

2.8 km

Historic 1871 railway landmark connecting Central Jutland with frequent regional services and heritage charm.

Lovisehøj

4.0 km

A 73-meter forest hill with royal heritage and sweeping views across Danish lakes and woodlands.

Bølling Lake

9.5 km

A restored glacial lake offering scenic walks, excellent fishing, and peaceful nature immersion in central Jutland.

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

11.1 km

Denmark's highest point crowned by a historic tower, accessible by scenic lake cruise or forest trail.

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

11.5 km

Denmark's first democratic gathering, 1839—where ordinary citizens claimed their political voice.

Store Troldhøj

12.7 km

A cone-shaped summit offering panoramic valley views and a climbing tree in Denmark's scenic lake district.

Randershøj

13.1 km

A scenic hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic vistas across Denmark's lake-filled landscape and forest-covered terrain.

Landal Søhøjlandet

14.6 km

Escape to Landal Søhøjlandet in Denmark's Lake District: Family fun, water park thrills, outdoor adventures, and tranquil nature await in this scenic holiday paradise near Silkeborg.

Jutland's Automobile Museum

15.8 km

Discover Denmark's automotive history at Jutland's Automobile Museum in Gjern, showcasing vintage cars and motorcycles from the early 1900s to iconic post-war models, offering a unique glimpse into the nation's motoring heritage.

Abbey Mill

16.4 km

Explore Abbey Mill in Skanderborg: A picturesque blend of history and nature, perfect for leisurely strolls and unforgettable experiences.

Øm Klostermuseum

17.9 km

Discover Denmark's medieval monastic life at Øm Klostermuseum near Ry: Explore ruins, gardens, and artifacts revealing centuries of history and brewing traditions.

Jutland

18.0 km

Discover Jutland, Denmark: Explore Viking history, stunning nature, and family fun on the mainland peninsula, offering an authentic Danish experience.

Mossø

20.5 km

Discover the serene beauty of Mossø, Denmark's third-largest lake, offering hiking, watersports, and historical sites in the heart of the Danish Lake District.

Unmissable attractions to see

Silkeborg park

0.1 km

A tranquil sculpture‑studded green escape at Silkeborg Bad, where lakeside forest, gentle lawns and contemporary art meet on the edge of Denmark’s outdoor capital.

Silkebog skulpturpark

0.1 km

A quiet corner of Silkeborg where contemporary sculptures and woodland paths blend into an open-air gallery, inviting slow walks, reflection and relaxed art encounters.

Art Center

0.1 km

Contemporary art and nature converge in a historic health resort transformed into Denmark's most distinctive sculpture park experience.

Stærke Storm af Thomas Dambo

0.4 km

A towering recycled-wood troll by Thomas Dambo, hidden in Silkeborg’s lakeside forest, where fairytale art, playful exploration and peaceful nature meet.

Kroghs Bænk

1.5 km

Central Jutland’s award-winning safari and wildlife park, where visitors can encounter exotic animals, participate in immersive experiences, and explore vast open landscapes.

MOSES

1.9 km

Discover leading Danish and international contemporary art in the heart of Silkeborg, with exhibitions, events, and a welcoming, creative atmosphere at Galerie Moderne.

Odderpassager

2.0 km

A low wooden boardwalk skimming Almindsø’s surface, Odderpassager lets you drift between forest and lake at Østre Søbad, half pier, half tranquil nature trail.

Badeanstalten

2.0 km

Denmark's most authentic bathhouse—a historic Nordic wellness sanctuary preserving centuries of bathing tradition.

Silkeborg Archive

2.0 km

Silkeborg’s collective memory, preserving documents, images and stories that trace the lakeside city’s journey from industrial outpost to modern municipality.

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

2.0 km

One of Scandinavia’s largest modern art galleries, blending CoBrA masterpieces, contemporary works and a welcoming, free-to-enter space in central Silkeborg.

Knagerne Silkeborg

2.1 km

A small, protected pocket of old-growth woodland in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where crooked beeches, fallen trunks and deep quiet create an evocative forest escape.

Scandic Silkeborg

2.1 km

Scandinavian comfort by the lake: a pool, forest paths and flexible spaces on Silkeborg’s tranquil green edge.

Vægmaleri

2.2 km

Experience the tradition of Denmark’s lake steamers aboard Turbådene Himmelbjerget, a nostalgic boat journey bridging Ry, Silkeborg, and the legendary hill.

AQUA Aquarium & Wildlife Park

2.2 km

Freshwater worlds, playful otters and splash-filled playgrounds come together in Silkeborg’s lake-district aquarium and Danish wildlife park.

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

2.3 km

Riverfront modern art sanctuary in Silkeborg, uniting Asger Jorn’s bold legacy, CoBrA masterpieces and hands-on creativity in an intimate, light-filled museum.

Authentic Italian and Brazilian cuisine in cozy Silkeborg surroundings.

Independent Silkeborg fashion store mixing timeless Scandinavian basics, denim and footwear with seasonal trends for both men and women on lively Søndergade.

A classic Silkeborg bodega on Borgergade, where smoke, cold beer and easy conversation create an unpretentious local living room from late morning to late night.

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Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

A brief summary to Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Local tips

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

Getting There

Local bus from central Silkeborg

Taxi from Silkeborg town centre

Cycling from Silkeborg centre

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum location weather suitability

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Discover more about Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

A wartime headquarters hidden in the woods

Inside the concrete shell

Occupation, resistance and refugees

Atmosphere of an intact bunker

Planning your visit

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Silkeborg Water Tower

silkeborg

Lovisehøj

Bølling Lake

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

Store Troldhøj

Randershøj

Landal Søhøjlandet

Jutland's Automobile Museum

Abbey Mill

Øm Klostermuseum

Jutland

Mossø

Unmissable attractions to see

Silkeborg park

Silkebog skulpturpark

Art Center

Stærke Storm af Thomas Dambo

Kroghs Bænk

MOSES

Odderpassager

Badeanstalten

Silkeborg Archive

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

Knagerne Silkeborg

Scandic Silkeborg

Vægmaleri

AQUA Aquarium & Wildlife Park

Museum Jorn, Silkeborg

Essential places to dine

Restaurant Spyd

Ristorante Pizzeria Roma

Burger Beast Silkeborg

Green Habits

Sabel - Restaurant og Bar

Orangeriet

Gl. Skovridergaard

Flamingo Pizza V/Aydin Wahab

Okkels Silkeborg ApS

Restaurant Piaf

VIVI Mad- & Vinbar

La Casita

Gusto Silkeborg

Joci Sushi

Marco Polo - Silkeborg

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Pindhus.dk

Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Fair Retro

Børnenes Kartel Silkeborg

Boemo

Mr Silkeborg A / S

Huset Lene Bak Silkeborg

t.i.n.g.

Companys Silkeborg

Bog & idé - Silkeborg Vestergade

Tenna Og Jens Kristian I/S

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