Caponnière, Military bunker in Place des Halles, Strasbourg, France
The Caponnière is a cylindrical concrete structure beneath the city center with multiple chambers designed for defense purposes. The underground facility spans considerable space and displays typical features of military engineering from its construction period.
Construction began in 1937 under architect Paul Dopff and initially served as a medical facility during wartime operations. The structure was later repurposed by German forces for military use during the occupation years.
The wall inscriptions date from the German occupation period between 1940 and 1944, reflecting the shifting military control over Strasbourg during that era. These marks tell the story of a difficult chapter in the city's past.
Access to the bunker is restricted due to hazardous materials within the structure and requires special authorization beforehand. Visitors must follow safety guidelines and obtain permission before planning a visit.
The underground space now operates as an organic mushroom farm employing visually impaired workers who cultivate the crops there. This unusual repurposing demonstrates how former military structures find new purpose in civilian life.
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