Shelterplads Sletterhage

Have you ever dreamed to sleep in a German WWII Bunker?

At the danish beach near Sletterhage Lighthouse (Sletterhage Fyr), on Helgenæs peninsula, you have the opportunity to do so - completely official, legal and free of charge.

Due to a nationwide program by the countires environmental ministry, there are hundreds of so called “Primitiv overnatningsplads” all over Denmark. Here you can rest and sleep inside the nature or wilderness in your own tent or in provided shelters, commonly made of wood. Many of these places also offer free toilets, water supply, firewood and so on to the travelers.

The Helgenæs shelter was integrated into a barrel shaped bunker or air raid shelter. A large wooden platform acts as the sleeping berth for several people, while an old rusty furnace can be used for heating and cooking, especially on colder days.

During the German occupation in World War II the area became vital for control and defense of Aarhus harbour. Therefore several bunkers and emplacements where built in the headland area of Helgenæs. The most prominent structure from this period is “Tyskertårnet”, a tall radar tower, made of concrete. The name is simply translated into German tower. Today the tower acts as a lookout for tourists which provides a great view over the Bay of Aarhus.