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Valkenburg Aan De Geul

Air-raid shelter at Gronselenput

Caves

Valkenburg Aan De Geul

Air-raid shelter at Gronselenput

Highlight • Historical Site

Air-raid shelter at Gronselenput

Name: Air-raid shelter at Gronselenput
Rating: 1.9

Recommended by 63 hikers out of 70

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Location: Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Limburg, Netherlands

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Tips

Miranda 🥾 TriA© / Johnny

February 4, 2025

Information sign text
Air raid shelter at Gronselenput

During World War II, six air raid shelters in the municipality of Wijlre offered protection against air raids and bombardments. The shelter at this location was the largest, accommodating 470 people. It was intended for the hamlet of Etenaken, on the other side of the Geul River. To facilitate the crossing to their shelter, a temporary bridge was built over the Geul. The shelter was built thanks to contributions from the residents of Etenaken and was named "Keutobergia."

Between July 3 and September 3, 1944, this shelter was carved out as a 70-meter-long U-shaped cave. The resulting 700 cubic meters of marl (9,000 wheelbarrows) were stored along the banks of the Geul. During heavy rainfall, the Geul overflowed its banks and washed away this marl over the years.

This view into part of the air raid shelter shows where the Etenaken families stayed for two days and three nights during the final days of the war. Etenaken and Wijlre were liberated by the Americans on September 14, 1944.
The information is taken from the handwritten 1944 diary about the air raid shelter by Mr. Jacques Debets.
Historical Society Wijlre in collaboration with the Municipality of Gulpen-Wittem.

More information: tracesofwar.nl/sights/138745/Schuilkelder-Gronselenput.htm

Translated by Google •

Dirk Hens

April 26, 2025

Interesting to read what it was used for.
Entering is no longer possible.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 120 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Location: Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Limburg, Netherlands

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Air-raid shelter at Gronselenput

1. Oostervoetpad Along the Geul – Schaloen Castle Oud Valkenburg loop from Valkenburg

2. Gronselenput – Oostervoetpad Along the Geul loop from Gulpen

3. Schaloen Castle Oud Valkenburg – View of the Geul Valley loop from Schin op Geul

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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