The bunkers of Albania

I admit to not having counted them, but there are a lot of bunker installations all over Albania. Hundreds of thousands of bunkers went up during 1975-1983, littering the landscape with concrete slabs.

One might ponder the wisdom of the former regime, as they built one bunker for every 11th Albanian, while the country had a severe lack of food and housing. The bunkers were never put to the test, as they were created for an attack that never came. Some are used for sheltering animals, some has been converted to restaurants or museums.

The road leading to Bunk’Art 1.

Today I’m in Tirana, where there are two large bunkers which has been converted into impressive museums, called Bunk’Art 1 and 2. It reminds me of the western coast of Denmark, but on a much larger scale.

Endless tunnels in Bunk’Art 1.

Bunk’Art 1 was meant to be the HQ for Enver Hoxha, the dictator who ruled the country until his death in 1985. It is a large complex of bunker tunnels where it is easy to lose your direction. 40 rooms are scattered on five floors.

The eye-catching entrance of Bunk’Art 2.

Bunk’Art 2 is much smaller and also easier to find since the entrance is located in the city center of Tirana.

The Pyramid.

Another interesting artifact from bygone days is the Pyramid, a grotesque structure from 1987 that was supposed to be a museum for Hoxta, but today it’s mostly derelict.