Międzyrzecki Fortified Region - the largest post-military underground in Europe
Geographic location: 52 ° 22 '17.15 "N, 15 ° 30' 24.34" E
Fortifications of Międzyrzecki Fortified Region (MRU), in Poland are the biggest attraction Lubuskie voivodeship, erected in the 1930s, the Międzyrzecz Fortified Region is the largest post-military underground in Europe, built by the Germans in 1936-39 in order to repel the anticipated unexpected attack by Polish troops [which never took place, or even was not planned]. They stretch for a distance of about 100 km between the Warta and the Odra, among picturesque lakes and numerous forest complexes. In 1945, the fortifications were captured by Soviet units and then blown up. Much was destroyed, but not everything ...
In the central part of the fortifications, a priceless system of underground tunnels with a total length of 32 km, a network of ammunition warehouses and passing stations of the narrow-gauge railway (the depth is up to 52 m!) Have survived. The entire site was dug using the mining method and was a base for powerful military facilities equipped with semi-automatic mortars, stationary flamethrowers and a network of machine guns. However, there were no anti-tank weapons and artillery. All this was hidden under armored covers weighing up to 64 tons, which in Poland will not be seen anywhere else.
These objects are part of the year-round underground tourist routes as part of the Museum of Fortifications and Bats in Pniewie. Within them, the largest bat reserve in Europe was established in 1980, being a winter hideout for over 35,000 of these winged mammals belonging to 12 species.
Since 2011, MRU objects have been included in the register of monuments. MRU belongs to the "Association of Underground Polish Tourist Routes".
Most of the facilities of the north and south wings are abandoned, but some are open to the public. Visiting is possible all year round only with a guide, but during the wintering period of bats (from November to March), only the Pz.W. 717 with one corridor.
In the basement there is a constant temperature of 10 to 12 ° C all year round.
The underground tours are guided, for a fee. Tours on the premises of MRU include the following route variants: short - up to 1.5 hours, long - up to 2.5 hours, and extreme routes available from April 15 to August 30 (up to 8 hours underground Tourists are guided by qualified guides (also in English, German and Russian). For the convenience of navigating the underground and unlit corridors, it is good to have a good flashlight with you.
Tourists have at their disposal parking lots, gastronomy, an observation tower, an exhibition of military equipment, a souvenir stand and a shooting range.
The seat of the Museum is located in Pniewo between Międzyrzecze and Świebodzin, 2 km from the national road No. 3 (E-65).
Website www.bunkry.pl
Contact and reservation: Museum of Fortifications and Bats Pniewo 1 66-300 Międzyrzecz, e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 95 741 9999, mobile: 509 868 965
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