The fascinating history of Albania's secret Cold War bunkers
Buried in Albania’s past lies a bunker network born of Cold War paranoia. Learn more about the fascinating history of these eerie, hidden fortresses.
Image: Bunk'Art 2, a former bunker transformed into a history museum, in Tirana, Albania | stock.adobe.com
From Stalin’s secret underground super bunkers in Moscow to Hitler’s clandestine Riese headquarters to Ceausescu’s People’s Palace – the world’s heaviest building, among many others, Dictators’ Hideouts explores the dark confines of these megaprojects, investigating their mysteries, analysing their costs, and testing their efficacy against an all-out attack.
The show starts Wednesday, 11th December at 9pm on Sky HISTORY.
If you visit the European country of Albania, you are likely to encounter at least one or two concrete bunker structures. Built under the rule of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the story behind Albania's extensive bunker system is one of paranoia, excessive spending, and eventual repurposing.
This article explores the history of the bunkers in more detail to understand why so many of them were built and what they are used for now.
What are the Albanian bunkers?
The bunkers of Albania are small, dome shaped structures that are spread across the country. There are more than 750,000 of them, and it is thought that there are 14.7 bunkers per square mile. There are so many bunkers that they can be found in all areas of Albania, from bustling streets to isolated mountains.
Why were the Albanian bunkers built?
The bunkers were built via a 'bunkerization' program that Enver Hoxha initiated in an attempt to fortify the country. However, the bunkers are often considered to be a symbol of Hoxha’s paranoia.
The construction of the bunkers began in the 1960s under Hoxha’s orders. They were designed to be as close to indestructible as possible. Some bunkers are larger than others, with some designed to fit one person and others built to hold larger groups.
Hoxha ordered the construction due to his fear that Albania would be invaded during the Cold War. He established a particularly stern communist regime within Albania, so he felt that invasion was constantly possible from the likes of NATO and the neighbouring country Yugoslavia. Although Hoxha initially allied Albania with China and the Soviet Union, these ties were broken, leading to even more paranoia of invasion.
The aftermath of the Albanian bunker construction
The invasions that Hoxha was so fearful of never came, leaving the country littered with thousands of unused and unnecessary bunkers. Hoxha was incredibly secretive during his regime, so when his rule came to an end, the following government did not have all the necessary information. They did not know how the bunkers had been built, nor did they know how they were used.
The biggest problem that came during and after construction was the economical strain that the bunkers had put on the country. The project was incredibly expensive, costing twice as much as the French Maginot Line, a system of objects, weapon installations, and concrete fortifications built in the 1930s to deter Nazi Germany invasions. The bunker construction project also utilised three times the amount of concrete as the French Maginot Line.
Important funds were diverted away from public services because of the project, such as education, healthcare and infrastructure. This led to severe shortages in essentials for the Albanian people as well as significant debt for the country.
The Albanian bunkers today
While a great deal of the bunkers have been abandoned and left derelict, a number of them have also been repurposed for better causes, as it would be far too expensive to remove them entirely.
Some have been turned into charitable aids, transforming into animal shelters and temporary accommodation for the homeless. Many of the bunkers have also been turned into creative projects and tourist attractions. A number of bunkers are now cafes, gift shops or art galleries.
The most prolific transformation is two bunkers that have become the Bunk’Art museums. These bunkers double as art galleries and history museums. Not only do they present art installations and contemporary art from the era that the bunkers were built, but they also provide information on Albanian history. Both of these bunkers can be found in Tirana, Albania’s capital city. One of the bunkers is in the centre of the city, while the other is on the outskirts.
The lessons behind the Albanian bunkers
The bunkers of Albania are often thought to be an effective way to teach the younger generation about the history of the country. They represent an important time in history for the people of Albanian.
Not only do they stand as a symbol of the effects of extreme paranoia and an isolated regime, but they also represent the way that the ordinary people can transform a negative symbol into something more positive.
The repurposing of the bunkers signifies the hope and strength of the Albanian people. That being said, they will always be a stern reminder of a regime that did not put the best interests and well being of the citizens of Albania first.
