Ausweichsitz der Landeszentralbank NRW, Cold War nuclear bunker in Satzvey, Germany.
The Ausweichsitz der Landeszentralbank NRW is an underground facility constructed beneath a school building in Satzvey to ensure bank operations during emergencies. The installation contains living quarters, kitchens, storage areas, and technical systems designed to function independently.
Construction took place between 1966 and 1969 as a secret backup center for the State Bank of North Rhine-Westphalia. The facility ceased its intended purpose after 1990 when Cold War tensions ended.
The site reflects how financial institutions prepared to maintain operations during potential conflict. The underground layout demonstrates the specific concerns of banks in managing economic stability during times of crisis.
The site is located beneath a school in Satzvey and is not freely accessible to the public. Visitors should inquire in advance about possible tours or any scheduled access times.
A massive 6-ton steel vault door protects the treasury chamber where emergency currency was intended to be stored. This weight reflects the level of security planned against any conceivable threat.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
