Paniersbunker

In Nuremberg, there is a wide variety of bunkers from different time periods. Most of them are located beneath the Old Town. In total, well over 20 different facilities are hidden beneath the feet of Nuremberg's residents. One of these is the Paniersbunker.

It was created during the Second World War and integrated into the existing medieval rock-cut cellar system under the northern part of the city. Most of the cellars were expanded and connected, forming a vast underground labyrinth that spans several levels. The buildings above were also linked to this extensive underground network. It is estimated that during Allied air raids, approximately 80,000 people found safe shelter here.

In addition to protective shelters for the civilian population, there were also rooms for storing art and cultural assets, prisoners of war, city administration offices, and the local Gauleitung (regional leadership).

While most of the surrounding houses were once connected to the bunker via their cellars, these access points were largely lost due to the near-complete destruction of the Old Town during the war. Today, the bunker is no longer open to the public and can only be accessed through a few hidden entrances.

As part of my bachelor's thesis in 2015, I photographically documented this bunker along with all other remaining bunkers in the city of Nuremberg. Additionally, I created a 3D model of the city and its bunker facilities to visually represent the extent and position of these underground structures. This model not only provides a visual insight into the impressive architecture and the extensive network but also serves as a basis for a better historical and geographical understanding of the sites.