KP Heinrich – a command post from the Second World War
- Hondrich
In the Hondrichhügel – directly above the réduit room in the Bernese Oberland – the Swiss Army set up in the Second World War the artillery observation point «KP Heinrich» Since 2006 the command post Heinrich has been released from confidentiality and made accessible to the public.
The command post Heinrich was built in 1941 and served as an artillery observation point in the Second World War. The location was exceptionally suitable, because the Hondrichhügel was located at the entrance to the réduit room in the Bernese Oberland. The «KP Heinrich» was the biggest firing coordination centre/firing control centre with command- and observation post for the artillery fortifications around Lake Thun.
In the Cold War the expansion of the command post took place in 1953. Up to the mid 1990s the facility was actively used by the Swiss Army. Weapons only used for self-defense was stored in «KP Heinrich». At the end of 2006 the army sold the fortress to private people. The fortress association Hondrich uses the location with the aim of preserving for generations to come. It can be visited by individuals and groups by fixed appointments or on request.
The command post Heinrich was built in 1941 and served as an artillery observation point in the Second World War. The location was exceptionally suitable, because the Hondrichhügel was located at the entrance to the réduit room in the Bernese Oberland. The «KP Heinrich» was the biggest firing coordination centre/firing control centre with command- and observation post for the artillery fortifications around Lake Thun.
In the Cold War the expansion of the command post took place in 1953. Up to the mid 1990s the facility was actively used by the Swiss Army. Weapons only used for self-defense was stored in «KP Heinrich». At the end of 2006 the army sold the fortress to private people. The fortress association Hondrich uses the location with the aim of preserving for generations to come. It can be visited by individuals and groups by fixed appointments or on request.
Tour of the «KP Heinrich»
The facility «KP Heinrich» is open every Tuesday evening. The tour always takes place at 18:00. Meeting point is the Inforama Hondrich (Bergbauernschule). Individuals do not need to reserve; groups are asked to reserve in advance.Take note, so that your trip will be perfect
Please consult the opening times
Suitable clothing: good footwear (access via the forest path) and warm clothes (approximately 10-11 degrees indoor temperature)
Bring a torch with you
On the map
Festung Heinrich
Alpschulweg
3702 Hondrich
Phone: +41 79 711 72 22
E-mail: info@festung-heinrich.ch
Website: www.festung-heinrich.ch
General information
Openings
Every Tuesday, 18:00: public Tours
Private Tours on request.
Eligibility
- Bad weather suggestions
- Suitable for any weather
- For groups
- For classes
- for families
- for individual guests
Payment Options
- Cash
Price info
Price info
Adults: CHF 10.00
Children (up to 16 years): CHF 5.00
Private groups up to 10 people: CHF 90.00
Each additional person: CHF 8.00