Railway bunker in Strzyżów

Railway bunker in Strzyżów. Photo: M. Bosek

This is the only underground railway bunker in Poland and the second facility designed as a shelter for German trains during WWII in what is now the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. This is where the armoured train ‘Amerika’ was hidden from view of the Allies when Adolf Hitler was hosting a visit of Benito Mussolini in nearby Stępina in August 1941.

A tunnel under the mountain

The railway bunker is hidden inside Mount Żarnowska. It is 438 m long and 6.5 m high. Like the above-ground facility in Stępina, it was built in 1940-41. The tunnel walls were made of concrete and reinforced concrete, while the ceiling was made of clinker bricks. The tunnel entrances on both sides were closed off by 11-metre-long antechambers, each with massive two-part iron doors.

The complex in Strzyżów consisted of a bunker tunnel for special military trains, as well as shelters for technological facilities, an installation tunnel, railway side-track, and a wooden platform between the tunnel and the railway station. The only structures which have been preserved and can be visited today are the bunker tunnel with the installation tunnel as well as the shelters for the technological facilities.

Moss-covered concrete bunker with a decorative iron gate, nestled in a forested hillside.

Entrance to the railway bunker in Strzyżów. Photo: M. Bosek

Amerika train was here

On 27-28 August 1941, a meeting between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini took place in Stępina nearby. The German dictator arrived there on his special train called Amerika. For the duration of the meeting it was kept in the bunker in Strzyżów. This train usually consisted of several carriages. These included cars designated for Hitler's personal use (including a lounge and bathing car), command and conference cars, as well as a carriage for the dictator's limousine. There were also platforms, right behind the locomotive and at the very end of the train, which carried anti-aircraft guns. It was for this type of special military trains travelling between various command headquarters throughout Europe that the facility in Strzyżów was built. Interestingly, in 1944 the tunnel was taken over by the local division of the Home Army.

Dimly lit tunnel with moss-covered walls, curved ceiling, and wet reflective floor stretching into the distance.

Bunker tunnel under Mount Żarnowska, 438 metres long, with clinker brick ceiling and concrete walls. Photo: M. Bosek

Visiting

The railway bunker in Strzyżów is open to visitors as follows:

May, June, September – on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00 - admission at every full hour;
July, August – from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 –

admission at every full hour;