Sint Pietersberg kunstbunker

The Sint Pietersberg kunstbunker is an underground shelter beneath Maastricht built within limestone caves and reinforced with thick concrete walls. The facility consists of cave chambers that served as storage for valuable paintings during World War II.

The bunker was established in the 1940s to protect art collections from war destruction. It played a crucial role in preserving about 800 paintings that might otherwise have been lost.

The bunker shows how the Dutch protected and cared for their most valuable artworks during wartime. Visitors see the spaces where masterpieces were safely stored and understand how important this collection was to the nation.

Visits are only possible with advance booking and a guided tour arranged through a visitor center in the city. Wear sturdy shoes, as access involves uneven cave paths and stairs.

During the war, a pirate radio station called Margriet secretly broadcast from the site against the occupation. The transmitter was hidden among rolled canvases to avoid detection.

Location: Maastricht

Inception: 1942

GPS coordinates: 50.81444,5.68500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:21