- Address: Roald Amundsens gate 3, 9900 Kirkenes, Norway
- Year of foundation: 1940
In the north-eastern part of Norway is a small town of Kirkenes . It is famous for such a local landmark , as the bomb shelter Andersgrotta (Andersgrotta cave).
general information
The Norwegian architect, Anders Elvebach, began building the building in 1941. Over time, the bomb shelter received the name of its founder. The main reason for the construction of Andersgrotta was the German occupation in 1940. In the city there were significant forces of the fascists.
During the Second World War, this region was considered the most fortified in the whole of Europe. For this reason, about 300 air attacks were committed against Kirkenes. The settlement occupied 2nd place (after Malta ) by the number of bombings. The life of people has turned into a real hell.
For the entire period of the war, the city was declared an air alarm 1015 times. After such attacks in Kirkenes there were only 230 houses and several hundred people were killed. German troops in 1944 burned the remaining structures in the city almost to the ground.
Excursion to the Andersgrotta bomb shelter
The secret shelter is made in the form of a catacomb and has 2 exits. Here, 400 to 600 people could hide at the same time. Underground labyrinth Andersgrotta helped thousands of peaceful people survive during the war years.
The bombing shelter began as a local attraction in 1990. Today there are guided tours for those wishing to get acquainted with the military history of the region. Visitors have the opportunity:
- walk along the corridors of the underground labyrinth, decorated with paintings and photographs from the time of World War II;
- go to places where people who have been hiding have eaten and slept, and also spent their leisure time;
- watch a documentary film that is dedicated to the military operations in Kirkenes before and during the occupation. The cinema is based on archival data and is broadcast in 3 languages: German, English and Norwegian.
The tour to Andersgrotte is accompanied by a guide who tells the guests about the most significant events in the city in time of war.
How to get to the bomb shelter?
From the Norwegian capital to the city of Kirkenes, you can drive by road on the E4 and E45 roads. The distance is 1830 km. The bomb shelter is located at the intersection of Tellef Dahls gate and Roald Amundsens gate 3, near the Russian monument to the dead soldiers. The latter is the main reference point for finding the sights.