Photo Exclusive: The Soviet-Designed Nuclear Shelters Hidden In Prague's Subway
RFE/RL was given unprecedented access to a network of Cold War-era shelters within Prague's subway system, designed to be a refuge during war.
1
This is the moment a 20-ton door, designed to withstand a nuclear blast, swung shut during tests at a subway station under the streets of Prague.
The door is a part of Prague’s Metro Protection System (Ochranny System Metra, or OSM), a network of hardened shelters designed to safeguard people during a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack.
The door is a part of Prague’s Metro Protection System (Ochranny System Metra, or OSM), a network of hardened shelters designed to safeguard people during a nuclear, chemical, or biological attack.
2
Engineers watch as the hermetically sealed blast door is closed over subway tracks.
The OSM was built into Prague’s subway network beginning in 1974 when the specter of nuclear war was haunting Europe.
The OSM was built into Prague’s subway network beginning in 1974 when the specter of nuclear war was haunting Europe.
3
A subway train awaits its morning duties as a blast door is tested nearby.
Today, the Prague authorities describe the OSM’s purpose as both “to protect the population against the effects of weapons of mass destruction for a period of 72 hours," and “to isolate sections of the metro in the event of a major flood.”
Today, the Prague authorities describe the OSM’s purpose as both “to protect the population against the effects of weapons of mass destruction for a period of 72 hours," and “to isolate sections of the metro in the event of a major flood.”
4
A subway worker inspects a wall of air filter intakes in the OSM.
The network of shelters is designed to accommodate up to 320,000 people inside several specially equipped subway stations and the tunnels between them.
The network of shelters is designed to accommodate up to 320,000 people inside several specially equipped subway stations and the tunnels between them.
