World War II Art Bunker
Topics - Planning
- Inspection corridor in the Art Shelter, 1944.
Planning Before the War
Even before the outbreak of World War II, prudent officials were already developing plans to turn one of these rock-cut cellars into a secure art bunker. The measures had to be carried out in strictest secrecy, because stringent wartime economy legislation did not permit this type of rescue work. The official policy, proclaiming Germany's eventual victory, did not provide for air raid protection for works of art. So the structures within the Nuremberg Castle rock were an illicit building measure for art.
In order to safely store historic art treasures in a former beer cellar, three major problems had to be taken into consideration:
- the explosive effect of bombs
- dampness
- temperature effects
The cellar chosen for use as an "art bunker" lay up to 24 meters deep in the sandstone beneath the castle. An intricate system of drainage, heating and ventilation had to be installed to provide the best possible conditions. Even rooms and facilities for the guards were provided.
Immediately after the outbreak of the war, these plans were put into action.
