Arkona Bunker Putgarten - History at Cape Arkona

Dozens of ventilation pipes protrude from the ground in the immediate vicinity of the lighthouses. The history of the bunkers on Cape Arkona is a long one. It begins in 1915 with the construction of the first bunker, but it has not been renovated and is not open to the public for security reasons. The smaller bunker was built by the Wehrmacht and was converted into an office of the 6th Coastal Border Brigade during the GDR era. It is known as the "Arkona bunker". Today it houses documentation on the history of Cape Arkona, from Slavic times to the present day. Admission is free of charge. The larger bunker was built between 1979 and 1986. Starting from a main central corridor with two entrances, there are several independent individual bunkers with a total area of 2,000 square meters. It served as a command post for the 6th Flotilla of the People's Navy and the United Baltic Fleet (VOF) stationed on the bow. The bunkers served as a so-called "protected command post" and were intended to protect against toxic gases and radioactive radiation in the event of war. Today, the second large tube houses a model ship exhibition and old navigation equipment. The facility was decommissioned on the day of German reunification, October 3, 1990.

Arkona bunker and naval command bunker in Putgarten

Directly next to the striking lighthouses at Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen, dozens of ventilation pipes protrude from the ground - a visible sign of two remarkable bunker facilities. The Arkona bunker and the naval command bunker in Putgarten are among the most unusual historical sights on the German Baltic coast in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

From the Wehrmacht bunker to the GDR command post at Cape Arkona

The smaller of the two bunkers dates back to the time of the Wehrmacht and was used in the GDR as an office of the 6th Coastal Border Brigade. Today, it houses a free documentation on the history of Cape Arkona - from the Slavic period to the present day. The larger naval command bunker was built between 1979 and 1986 and comprises several independent individual bunkers covering around 2,000 square meters. It served the 6th Flotilla of the People's Navy as a protected command post, designed to protect against poison gas and radioactive radiation. Today, a model ship exhibition and historical navigation equipment can be viewed there. The entire facility was decommissioned on October 3, 1990.

How to get to the Arkona Bunker in Putgarten on Rügen

The nearest train station is Sagard, around 19.5 km away. From there, take the bus to the Sagard Schulstraße stop (approx. 18.5 km). Another way to get here is by ferry via Breege - the Breege ferry landing stage is around 8.9 km from Putgarten.

Further sights in Putgarten

Castle rampart at Cape Arkona

📍 Putgarten

The "Jaromarsburg" is located at Cape Arkona, the northernmost point of the island of Rügen, and is reminiscent of the Slavic era. The long-known "Jaromarsburg" on the northern tip of the island of Rügen was the sacred place of worship of the Ranen, a West Slavic people. It was built as a temple sanctuary in honor of Svantevit, the main god of the Slavs on Rügen. From the 9th century until the fall of the castle in 1168, this last pagan bastion was the political and religious center of power on the island. The castle rampart, which is still 12 m high today, with its moat and the interior of the castle, has been exposed to the constantly advancing coastal erosion for decades, which is why numerous sondages, prospections and excavations have taken place since 1868. Author: Dr. Katrin Staude / Archaeo Tour Rügen, archaeo-tour-ruegen.de

Events in Putgarten

Event

23. May 2026, 08:00–16:00

Atelier Arkona

📍 Atelier Arkona

Art:Open 2026 in Western Pomerania

ADAC Sunflower Rally 27.06.2026 Rügenhof Putgarten

Event

26. June 2026, 12:00–15:00

ADAC Sunflower Rally 27.06.2026 Rügenhof Putgarten

📍 Rügenhof in Putgarten

Classic car up close with the ADAC Sunflower Rallye | Sat. 27.06.2026 | 14:00-17:00 | Rügenhof in Putgarten at Cape Arkona | over 50 rarities

31st Wittow Harvest Festival | September 26, 2026

Event

26. September 2026, 08:00–22:00

31st Wittow Harvest Festival | September 26, 2026

📍 Rügenhof in Putgarten

Autumn magic at the Rügenhof | 31st Wittow harvest festival | September 26, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. at the Rügenhof in Putgarten

Accommodation auf Rügen

Vacation apartments, hotels and more in the region

Pension & Gasthaus

"Zur Schaabe" Inn & Pension

📍 Glowe

"Zur Schaabe" Gasthaus & Pension is located in the beautiful Baltic seaside resort of Glowe in the north-east of the island of Rügen.

Hotel

A-ROSA Hotel Ceres am Meer - Adults Only

📍 Binz

This design hotel impresses with its fantastic location right by the sea on the island of Rügen, not far from the Binz pier, and offers stylish wellness facilities and panoramic views from almost every room.

Sonstige Unterkunft

A-ROSA Kurhaus Binz

📍 Binz

You don't have to travel far to find something special - the A-ROSA Kurhaus Binz welcomes you directly on the beach promenade and its famous pier, where you can enjoy top gastronomy, a stylish ambience and a feel-good wellness area, combining modern comfort with traditional charm.

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