Mamerki Bunkers (OKH Headquarters Mauerwald)

Mamerki (say "mah-MER-kee") is a former World War II headquarters of the German Army High Command (OKH), hidden in forest beside Lake Mamry in north-eastern Poland, about 8 km from the town of Węgorzewo. Unlike the nearby Wolf's Lair, its bunkers were never blown up, which makes it one of the best-preserved wartime bunker complexes in the country. Today a private museum runs the site, with exhibitions, a lookout tower and a full-size Amber Room replica.

History of Mauerwald

The Germans called the site Mauerwald; its code name was "Anna". Construction began in 1941 and continued until 1944. About 140 permanent structures and about 80 wooden barracks stood on roughly 250 hectares, and the operator says some 30 reinforced-concrete shelters survive intact. From late June 1941 to December 1944 this was the seat of the Army High Command staff, around 1,500 officers and soldiers, including some 40 generals. The site lies about 18 km north-east of the Wolf's Lair, Hitler's own headquarters. In January 1945 the Wehrmacht left without a fight, and the shelters were not destroyed.

The operator also notes that Claus von Stauffenberg, who later planted the bomb at the Wolf's Lair, served here in 1941–1943. In 2016–2017 Mamerki made headlines with a search for the lost Amber Room, which found nothing.

What to see

• Intact bunkers – walk between the shelters and enter selected ones; a lit 30-meter underground tunnel links bunkers 28 and 30.
• World War II museum – the operator describes more than 1,000 m² of displays, including large dioramas of Eastern Front battles and of the 20 July 1944 bomb plot.
• Lookout tower – 38 m high, with views over Lake Mamry.
• Amber Room replica – a 1:1 reconstruction opened on 26 April 2025 in a new pavilion.

Visiting tips

Allow 2–3 hours. Paths are forest tracks and can be muddy, and the bunkers are cool and dark, so bring a flashlight. Dogs are allowed, according to the operator. Guides in English, German and French can be booked in advance by phone or email.

Who is it for?

History and military enthusiasts will love it, and so will families with older children: stepping inside a real shelter and walking through the tunnel is memorable. Seeing Mamerki on the same day as the Wolf's Lair is instructive – there you see blown-up ruins, here almost untouched structures. The paths are forest tracks, so strollers and wheelchairs may struggle; the operator gives no accessibility details for the tower or museum.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

The operator lists the site as open daily 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with tickets at 35 PLN for adults and 30 PLN for children and teenagers; parking is free. No validity dates or separate winter schedule are published, so call ahead outside the summer season (+48 698 793 104).

How to get there

Mamerki is on the road between Giżycko and Węgorzewo, about 22 km from Giżycko and 25 km from Kętrzyn. From Warsaw it is around 280 km by car. Public transport is very limited, so driving or a tour is the practical option.

Is it worth visiting?

If you are already visiting the Wolf's Lair, yes: Mamerki shows what such bunkers looked like before demolition, and you can go inside them.