Sperrstelle Wimmis, Military fortress in Wimmis, Switzerland.
Sperrstelle Wimmis is a military fortress at the entrance to Simmental Valley, built with multiple bunkers integrated directly into the mountainside. The site contains gun positions, sleeping facilities, and supply installations linked through an underground transport system.
Construction began in 1942 as part of Switzerland's Reduit strategy and was completed by 1943 to strengthen defenses during World War II. The fortress was one element in a broader plan to secure key alpine valleys against potential invasion.
The site demonstrates how Switzerland sought to defend its alpine regions during wartime. Visitors can see how military engineers built bunkers directly into the mountain, turning the landscape itself into part of the defense system.
The site sits on a steep slope and requires sure footing when exploring the different bunkers and entrances. Visitors should prepare for tight underground passages and multiple stairs, making sturdy shoes and a flashlight helpful for navigating the interior.
The site was equipped with eight 1.5 cm howitzers and four 7.5 cm bunker cannons positioned to watch over the area from Thun to Interlaken. These weapons were placed to control both the immediate surroundings and distant approach routes.
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