Former Stasi Bunker Near Berlin Reopens for Public Tours
Gosen, April 4, 2026 – The small town of Gosen in the Oder-Spree district holds a unique historical significance: during the Cold War, it served as a central hub for the Stasi. The former Stasi bunker in Gosen, Brandenburg, near Berlin, is once again opening its doors for guided tours. The Bunker Documentation Sites Association announced that the eighth season will commence on April 25th with five initial tours.
A Glimpse into the GDR’s Secret Past
Seventy-five years ago, the GDR’s foreign intelligence service was established in divided Germany. Over the years, Gosen, located on Berlin’s southeastern outskirts, evolved into a crucial location. Besides housing the central training school, the Main Directorate for Reconnaissance (HV A) of the Ministry for State Security maintained a secret bunker complex there.
Today, this Stasi bunker is accessible to the public for a limited period each year. According to Jörg Diester from the association, the new season begins on April 25th. Additional tours will be offered during the summer months on six other days, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the bunker, which was constructed in 1984 for espionage chief Markus Wolf. Further dates are scheduled for October and November before the facility closes for the winter. Online registration is recommended for all visits.
The Bunker’s Purpose and Construction
The Stasi commissioned the construction of the bunker on the outskirts of what is now the Brandenburg municipality of Gosen-Neu Zittau as an “alternative command post.” Its primary function was to serve as a secret location for coordinating foreign espionage during times of crisis.
In the 75th year since the founding of the GDR’s foreign intelligence, the association provides insights into the protective structure and its associated secret files. These documents reveal stories of forced land sales and the “creative resistance of querulous residents.” It’s also noted that special requests for more luxury delayed construction and contributed to costs totaling around ten million East German Marks.
From Secret Facility to Learning Site
After the fall of the GDR, the facility remained vacant for many years. Since 2019, this once highly secretive underground structure has served as a historical learning site. According to Diester, approximately 3,500 people have visited the facility since then. In the last season alone, over 480 individuals visited the museum across eight event weekends.
The reopening offers a unique opportunity for both locals and tourists to explore a significant piece of Cold War history and gain a deeper understanding of the GDR’s intelligence operations. The site provides a tangible connection to a past that shaped the region and continues to fascinate historians and the public alike.
The tours aim to educate visitors about the complexities of espionage during the Cold War, the daily lives of those involved, and the broader political context of the era. The preserved elements of the bunker, combined with expert guidance, offer a compelling and informative experience.
The continuous interest in the bunker highlights the importance of preserving such historical sites for future generations, ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten. The association’s efforts to maintain and open the bunker to the public contribute significantly to historical education and remembrance.
