“A church or a bunker What do you see?” The Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse in Fürth stands before you. Its imposing form a silent testament to a turbulent past. This wasn’t just any air-raid shelter. It was a carefully disguised fortress. Designed by the architectural firm Peringer and Rogler this Hochbunker was built between 1941 and 1942. It was part of the second wave of bunker construction. The architects who usually built in the Jugendstil and classicism styles had to design something completely different. The structure’s exterior was deliberately designed to resemble a church. This was a common tactic to lessen the building’s obvious military purpose. Imagine the deception during wartime.
The Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse wasn’t just about hiding. Its thick two-meter-thick outer walls were meant to withstand attacks. Inside its three stories were designed to protect 901 people. The shelter boasted its own water supply. It had electricity even a diesel tank. Think of the intricate systems to ensure survival. A ventilation system with ABC and sand filters kept the air clean. Workshops and storage rooms provided essential functions. The building used 9435 tons of concrete. Its total usable area is 580 square meters. The total interior space comes to 5650 cubic meters.
After World War II the Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse served as emergency housing for displaced persons. Newspapers reported inhumane living conditions. Over 50 families. About 166 people including 30 children under 14 lived there. Imagine the cramped spaces the lack of light and sanitation. In the 1950s. Twenty-five windows were blasted into the walls to bring in some daylight.
The Cold War brought another transformation. Between 1969 and 1971 the Hochbunker was converted into a fallout shelter. Pressure valves were installed. The airlocks were strengthened with new doors. A backup power generator and advanced filtration systems were added. The Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse was now prepared for a nuclear attack. It could withstand a nuclear attack for two weeks. It could accommodate 901 people.
The Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse remained active until 2007. It was part of the federal civil defense program. Today it stands as a reminder. A symbol of survival. Of adaptation. It serves now as a Fanbunker for the local football club. A testament to the enduring spirit of a city that once sought refuge within its walls. A part of this shelter stands preserved. It will serve as a museum. This Hochbunker offers a glimpse into the past. A window into a world where survival was a daily challenge. This is the Hochbunker Kronacher Strasse. A story etched in concrete.