SECRET SOVIET BUNKER
SKALUPES, LATVIA
During the Cold War, a huge nuclear bunker was secretly built at the Ligatne Rehabilitation Centre, a health spa of sorts. Although plans for the bunker were laid out in the 1960s, it was not completed until 1982. Given the codename ‘Vacation Hotel’ and located 9m underground, it was protected by a thick layer of concrete and lead plates. The bunker was a very important strategic hideout designed to shelter the Soviet political elite in Latvia for up to three months. Even the workers at the rehabilitation centre knew nothing about its existence and the bunker was only opened up to the public in 2003. A well-equipped and self-sustaining facility, there is plenty for visitors to see inside the bunker, including conference rooms, an autonomous electrical station, a special telecommunication unit, various pieces of authentic Soviet memorabilia and books by Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and Leonid Brezhnev. There are also camouflaged helipads, two disguised as swimming pools and one as a basketball court, that can be found outside of the main spa building. For those who are interested, you can also enjoy a 1980s Soviet-style meal inside the bunker canteen (this needs to be ordered in advance). It is important to note that it is only possible to visit the bunker by joining one of the centre’s pre-booked guided tours, which are available in multiple languages, including English.
Open daily with pre-booked guided tours at 3pm on weekdays and 12pm, 2pm and 4pm at weekends. Tickets: €11 on weekdays and €13.20 at weekends. bunkurs.lv