Ochsenpferchbunker, World War II bunker in Neckarstadt-West, Germany
The Ochsenpferchbunker is a concrete structure on Mannheim's northern Neckar riverbank with walls approximately 1.1 meters thick. It spans four above-ground floors and a basement level and was originally designed to shelter thousands of people.
The structure was built between 1941 and 1943 during World War II by forced laborers using approximately 10,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete. In September 1943, it survived a direct hit from a 500-kilogram bomb intact.
The building has housed MARCHIVUM since 2018, displaying exhibitions about Mannheim's history and a documentation center dedicated to the National Socialist period. Visitors can explore personal stories and documents from that era.
The building underwent complete renovation in 2016 and gained two glass-enclosed upper floors that improve access and offer new views. The modern interior with archive spaces and exhibition areas allows comfortable viewing of multiple levels.
The bunker was damaged in 1943 by a heavy air mine that left a crater nearby, yet the main structure held firm. This durability became a key reason for preserving the building after the war.
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