Architectural Monument
Atomic Shelter – at HARNEKOP
Telefon: 033436 – 35 727 mail: Atombunkerhako@aol.com (www.atombunker-harnekop.de)
In the North-East of Berlin, well hidden in the forest between Werneuchen, Strausberg and Bad Freienwalde, on a very large area, the today devastated military barrack of the former NVA1) is located. In nearby Harnekop, nothing indicated the existence of this bunker, only very few people knew the way to the bunker.Nobody in the village suspectec that this was one of the best-guarded secrets of the GDR2).We are talking about the command bunker 01 of the former Ministry of National Defence.
This bunker is – we believe - unique in the world.Shelters of this generation are at least in Europe still used and, therefore, it is not possible for civilians to visit them. After several changes of users of the shelter, about 30 enthusiasts eliminate chaos and disorder in the building. These people try to create order to show the different functional areas in connection.Organized guidances increasingly find also international customers.
Two non-profit associations understand themselves as a platform for people who are interested in preservation, collection and info-technical processing and their clear public presentation and documentation. Behind maroden fences, even today rudiments of the up to 10,000 V of the laid out "HSA" (high-voltage equipment) are recognizable. this high-voltage equipment and numerous duty officers have kept away unasked guests from the plant because curious ones were understandably not desired here.
The 3-storey building has been between 1971 and 1976 for the command of the NVA. In case of war, it was planned to become the main Coordination center between NVA and the united supreme command of the Warsaw Treaty states.
The terrestrial heat provides approximately 30 meters deep in the Maerkischen Sand at each season for constant 10 – 12 °C. Therefore, in the shelter Harnekop, one will look for a heating system in vain.Below the building planned for training courses and for staff exercises, the entrance to the building hides itself.Exactly 95 stages lead into the depth. Several up to 2.5 t heavy, particularly secured pressure- and gas-proof doors give the way through external walls having a thickness up to three meters.Here are the command and work areas for the operational personnel, maps, meeting rooms, switching centres and the areas for the Minister.
Especially younger visitors will notice: No luxury! The entire equipment and furnishing of the shelter shows the "Charme of the 70's ". Many say: Everything is extremely spartanisch however very functionally furnished.With the way through the building, the floors bounce with nearly each step because all floors are fit to large steel nibs. Even the hanging cooling cell would be able to operate after heavy detonations.In the middle floor are kitchen and cafeteria as well as several feeding and sleeping areas.The 3rd floor only houses technical equipment. Beside the well plant with the water tanks, here was the emergency electrical installation consisting of four marine diesel engines (540 PS/380 KVA each) and the communication and electronical data processing engines and equipment have been installed here.
The combat crew (approx. 450 persons) could have survived about one month here, completely without any supply from the outside. Their task: Participation in the organization of the "Reprisal".Deep under the ground, the cables of that outstandingly equipped information centre led to various so-called "separate" Radio stations, e. g. near Kunersdorf and Wollenberg. Here, several kilometres away, the antenna systems were installed – without any recognisable connection to the shelter at Harnekop.
Important communication links existed to the SBK3) of the national defence council in Prenden, the MfS4) in Biesenthal, the MdI5) in Freudenberg, to the military districts Neubrandenburg and Leipzig as well as to the comrades in arms in the Warsaw Treaty - especially in Wuensdorf and Moscow.The way from the underground Labyrinth leads upwards through numerous separatable sections: As on submarines, in cases of fire or damage complete ranges could have been separated and closed.
Several emergency exits and a stairway on the inside will increase the security for the crew.
There were never cases of emergency (in the shelter, which was never used since its opening). Fortunately, the process of history has prevented the purpose of such plants and their use - the war.The visitor always and again meets the past here in the shelter. Now the monster is redundant, a Relict of the "Cold War", which existed world-wide. At the same time, it is in addition, a proof for highest building and engineer art as well as for the enormous efficiency of the GDR in the field of technology. Its "brothers" are still in use.
To regenerate substantial aspects of the plant to scientifically show it to the public – this is the task of the registered Society "Baudenkmal Harnekop e. V". It is to be owed to the society, that the shelter stands today is listed on the national monument list and can be visited.
1) NVA – Nationale Volksarmee (National People's Army)
2) GDR – German Democratic Republic
3) SBK - …
4) MdI - …
5) MfS - …
6) e. V. – registered Society