Artilleriewerk Krattigen, Military fortress in Krattigen, Switzerland
Artilleriewerk Krattigen is a fortified military site on Lake Thun featuring three gun positions connected by an underground tunnel network. The central command post and support systems were built into the hillside overlooking the water.
This site was built between 1941 and 1942 as part of Switzerland's wartime defenses during World War II. After the conflict ended, it was repurposed and eventually opened to visitors interested in this period of history.
This fortress demonstrates how Switzerland positioned its defenses along lakeside passages during wartime. Walking through the site, you can see how the gun positions were arranged to watch over movement across the water.
Access involves descending stairs into the tunnel system and chambers, which can be narrow and cool underground. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should be prepared for uneven flooring throughout the site.
After the war, this site was converted into a communications hub for Swiss military officials working abroad. This repurposing demonstrates how these Cold War-era installations adapted to new strategic needs.
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