The tour of the ICBM bunker, now turned museum, was beyond belief. As a child of the Cold War I never in my wildest dreams thought I would very have such an experience. Hidden below residential buildings and 13 stories below ground this decommissioned ICBM launch site is less than 2 miles from the Kremlin and connected by tunnel.

 

 

 

The construction technique is the same that was used for the Moscow subway system, and to preserve secrecy workers believed they were adding to the subway system.

The whole experience was very unsettling for both Aleksey and me. I was even invited by the tour guide to sit at the launch desk and press the button! The large floor-to-ceiling maps still identify multiple city target in the United States.

And if that is creepy enough, a portion of the site has been turned into an underground disco named Bunker 42!

 

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