Underground City on Wolin Island

The Underground City on Wolin Island (Podziemne Miasto, roughly "pod-ZHEM-neh MYAS-toh") in Świnoujście is a bunker complex where World War II and the Cold War meet. Hidden under the dunes of the Przytór district, a German coastal artillery battery from the 1930s was later turned by the Polish army into a secret backup command post, its bunkers linked by about a kilometer of tunnels. The two-hour guided tour is one of the most atmospheric things to do in Świnoujście.

Where it is

Świnoujście (German: Swinemünde) is Poland's westernmost seaside town, right on the German border and about 100 km north of Szczecin; Berlin is roughly a three-hour drive away. The Underground City lies on the eastern, Wolin Island side of town, between Świnoujście-Przytór railway station and the beach, about 10 km from the resort of Międzyzdroje.

History: from naval battery to Cold War command post

Work on a coastal battery to protect the German Navy's base at Swinemünde began in 1936, and the first test firing took place in 1939. The site received seven reinforced-concrete bunkers, barracks and several kilometers of roads. Four of the bunkers carried 15 cm guns with a range of about 20 km, and a two-story command bunker was topped with armored observation domes. During the war the battery also got a Würzburg-Riese fire-control radar. Around 1940 the original guns were moved to the Netherlands and older guns installed here; from 1941 the site trained naval artillerymen. In March 1945 it fired in support of German troops near Dziwnów, and in April it was abandoned.

The Soviets took over in May 1945 and handed the complex to the Polish army in January 1946. In the 1950s it became a backup command post for coastal defense, and in 1965 the bunkers were connected by roughly 1 km of underground tunnels housing a telephone exchange, a radio receiving center, an officers' mess and an anti-chemical defense facility. According to the museum, Polish commanders would have directed a landing in Scandinavia from here in the event of war. The complex opened to visitors in May 2014 and is run by the private Museum of Coastal Defense.

What you will see

• Tunnels linking the bunkers – long corridors you walk through between the concrete blocks.
• Cold War rooms – communications and command spaces that preserve the feel of the Communist-era army.
• The German battery – massive 1930s concrete bunkers.
• A guided story – visits are guided only, and the guide is included in the ticket.

Tour times and tickets (as of October 2026)

• October 1 – April 30: Wednesdays at 12:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3 pm.
• Summer (July–August): daily at 10:30 am, 12:30, 2, 3 and 4:30 pm.
• The website also lists German-language tours on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11:45 am; check whether they run in winter. Printed guides are available in English, German and Czech.
• Last published prices (for 2024): PLN 50 adults, PLN 40 reduced (students, school pupils, seniors). Confirm current prices by phone (+48 789 07 22 44).
• Cash only on site, in Polish złoty (PLN) or euros.
• Over the holidays the museum has added extra tours in past years, while January and February were mainly reserved for groups, so check before a winter visit.

Tips: is it worth it?

Yes, if you are curious about the Cold War. Arrive early, because latecomers cannot join a tour already underway. Dogs are welcome. Allow about 2 hours and bring a warm layer, as it is cooler underground than outside. Older kids into history will love it; for toddlers two hours of bunkers may be a stretch.

How to get there

By car, follow the brown signs "Podziemne Miasto na Wyspie Wolin"; the site is about 500 m from the S3 expressway. From the town center on Usedom Island, drive through the free tunnel under the Świna, or take the passenger ferry on foot or by bike. City buses 7 and 10 stop at Świnoujście-Przytór station, about a 500 m walk away, and the R-10 bike route passes right by.

Nearby: Fort Gerhard and the Świnoujście Lighthouse are about 4 km away but can now only be reached by boat from the town center; both are worth combining with the Underground City in the boat season. The Underground City ticket does not cover the fort; the "3-in-1" ticket (return boat trip, Fort Gerhard and the lighthouse) is sold by the operator Adler-Schiffe, at PLN 90 or PLN 68 reduced according to the 2024 price list. Beyond the complex lie quiet, wide beaches, and trails lead through the forests of Wolin National Park toward Międzyzdroje.