History of the building

After the end of the Second World War, the world found itself in a state of increased political and military tension between the countries of the socialist bloc and the Western, capitalist powers. This period, known as the Cold War, was characterized by mutual hostility and an arms race that could escalate into open warfare at any time.

If World War III had been provoked then, nuclear weapons would most likely have been used in it. In response to this threat, many defensive and security measures were created, including the construction of bunkers such as the one in Přáslavice.

Important milestones in the history of the bunker

1955

Signing of the Warsaw Pact
The European countries of the former Eastern Bloc concluded the Warsaw Pact in 1955.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

1962

The Cuban Missile Crisis
After the outbreak of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, relations between East and West became dramatic. The Americans began to build a secret communications network on their east coast.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

1968

Construction of the bunker began
The communication network on the East Coast of the United States became an inspiration for Russian generals who wanted to build the same communication network in all Warsaw Pact countries. In 1968, we date the start of the construction of the Přáslavice bunker, which was one of seven of its kind on the territory of the former Czechoslovakia.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

1976

Completion of the construction of the Přáslavice bunker
The bunker was built by the army. It was completed and put into operation in 1976. A monstrous building was created, which has two above-ground and four underground floors. It was equipped with the most modern telecommunication technology for that time, including backup power sources. The crew would last up to ten days inside without outside intervention.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

1991

Withdrawal of Soviet soldiers
The withdrawal of Soviet soldiers from the Czech Republic was a historical milestone that signaled the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era in Czechoslovak history. After the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was agreed that the Soviet troops that had been stationed in the country since the 1968 invasion would withdraw from Czechoslovakia. This process was formally started in 1990 and completed in 1991.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

2001

Departure of the active crew
The last members of the active crew leave the bunker and the building closes. Only routine maintenance is underway.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

2010

The bunker becomes the property of Flenexa
The bunker complex in Přáslavice near Olomouc became private property in 2010. Since then, it has undergone and is still undergoing a transformation.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

2016

Full declassification of the bunker
Even in private hands, part of the building was still inaccessible. Full declassification did not take place until 2016.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

2019

Construction and launch of the aquaponic farm
In 2019, after testing, an aquaponic vertical farm was put into operation, which is partly located in the bunker. You can learn more about aquaponics, which combines fish breeding and plant growing into one production unit, on the www.aquaponickafarma.cz website.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM

2022

Opening the building to the public
In June 2022, the building was opened to the public. It is the only building of its kind that visitors can look into.
January 01, 2021
12:00 AM
History of the Přáslavice bunker

 

 

Map of objects of backup amplifier stations

One of the reasons for the creation of these telecommunications facilities was the visit of Russian generals to the USA in the 1960s. At that time, the US was building a similar backup telephone network on its East Coast. This is where the Soviet Union was inspired.

In the USA, they were “resisting” against an attack from the east. The Russian generals saw this and ordered the construction of a similar network in the countries of the entire Warsaw Pact. However, the original plan to build secret telecommunications networks in all Warsaw Pact countries failed to materialize. The only country where the construction took place was the then Czechoslovakia.

The bunker in Přáslavice was the first of the buildings being built.