Festung Fürigen, Military fortress at Lake Lucerne shore, Switzerland
Festung Fürigen is an underground military fortress on the shore of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. The interior contains two combat positions, a magazine for ammunition, a kitchen, a medical room, offices, and sleeping areas all built within a tunnel system.
The fortress was constructed between 1941 and 1942 as part of Switzerland's defense strategy during World War II. It was designed to protect alpine routes and was one of several secret fortifications built across the country during that time.
The museum displays objects and stories from soldiers who were stationed here until the 1980s. Visitors can see personal items and accounts that show what daily life was like for those living and working in this underground installation.
Visits are only possible with a guide and take place on the first Sunday of each month from April through October. It is important to book in advance since spaces are limited.
The facility was equipped with two 7.5 cm fortification cannons that could fire up to 15 rounds per minute. With a range of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), these weapons could monitor a vast area of the lake.
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