Stretching along the western coast of Europe – from the North Cape in Norway to the Spanish border – tens of thousands of German bunkers still stand. These concrete remnants are part of the Atlantic Wall: the massive line of defense built by the Nazis during World War II to stop an Allied invasion. More than 80 years later, they remain as silent witnesses of a dark period in European history.

In a new two-part documentary, Andere Tijden explores the history of the Atlantic Wall, traveling from the dunes of Zandvoort and the shores of Zeeland to the beaches of Normandy and the bunkers of Ostend. What role did this fortification line play in the German war strategy? And what’s left of it today?

The Atlantic Wall is considered the largest construction project of the 20th century. Over 100,000 structures were built along the coastline: from gun emplacements and anti-aircraft sites to mess halls, horse stables and latrines. After the war, only the most dangerous or obstructive bunkers were demolished. The rest were bricked up, abandoned or slowly buried under sand. To this day, only half of the original structures have been officially mapped.

Many of these concrete giants have since been repurposed. Some now serve as vacation homes, offices or storage spaces. Others have become memorials, museums or educational centers.

In this special documentary series, presenter Astrid Sy travels along the remnants of the Atlantic Wall. Driving a vintage military jeep, she visits Utah Beach in Normandy, explores one of the best-preserved bunkers in Ostend, and meets a man in Zandvoort who was forced to leave his childhood home when part of the village was demolished for the Wall’s construction. In Zeeland – the only place besides Normandy where the Allies actually broke through the Atlantic Wall – the team investigates how the battle unfolded. Together with the Haagse Bunkerploeg (The Hague Bunker Team), they unearth a sealed-off soldiers’ bunker and make a remarkable historical discovery beneath the sand.

Broadcast schedule:

Part 1: A Chain of Concrete – Tuesday, July 8 at 21:00 on NPO 2
Part 2: The Fortress Breached – Tuesday, July 15 at 21:00 on NPO 2

Andere Tijden is the NTR’s history program that dives into recent historical events with fresh perspectives. Each episode uncovers new facts, untold stories and never-before-seen footage – always connecting the past to today.