Johann Hunt
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Hidden away in remote locations, buried under mountains, or deep beneath city streets, underground government facilities are a part of the world most of us will never see. These secretive complexes were designed to withstand everything from espionage to global catastrophe. Here are 15 of them:
Cheyenne Mountain Complex (Colorado, USA)
Erected during the Cold War, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is a fortress designed to withstand a 30-megaton nuclear explosion. To put that in perspective, that’s 1,500 times the size of the bomb used on Hiroshima. Currently, it is used as a backup for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (Virginia, USA)
It’s one of those places that feels more like fiction than reality. Just 48 miles from Washington, D.C., this secure facility has been the go-to safe haven for U.S. government officials since the 1950s. This place was vital during the 9/11 attacks as a command center.
The Greenbrier (West Virginia, USA)
The Greenbrier might be one of the most luxurious secure facilities ever built. Hidden beneath a five-star resort, this complex was constructed during the Eisenhower administration to hide members of Congress in case of a nuclear attack: a full power plant, decontamination chambers, and enough space for 1,100 people.
Woomera Prohibited Area (South Australia)
Covering approximately 122,000 square kilometers, it is one of the largest land-based test sites in the world. Established in 1947, the WPA has been used to test missiles, rockets, and other defense technologies. Today, it remains an active testing ground for the Australian Defence Force.
The Moscow Metro-2 (Moscow, Russia)
Allegedly constructed during Stalin’s reign, Metro-2 runs parallel to the public metro and connects vital government buildings, including the Kremlin. It’s believed to include underground bunkers that would protect Soviet leaders in the event of an attack—a rumor that the Russian government has never confirmed.
Diefenbunker (Carp, Ontario, Canada)
Named after Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, the Diefenbunker stands as a Cold War relic now transformed into a museum. Built as a secure haven for government leaders in the event of a nuclear strike, this four-story underground facility was designed to be self-sufficient for weeks, complete with its own power and water supply.
JFK’s Cold War Bunker (Florida, USA)
Deep in the Florida woods lies JFK’s Cold War bunker, a secret hideaway built to keep President John F. Kennedy and his top advisors safe in case of a nuclear attack. This underground fortress was designed with the utmost security in mind, equipped to withstand blasts, and stocked with supplies for extended stays.
RAF Corsham (Wiltshire, England)
Famous as Burlington Hideout, this extensive underground city was built during the Cold War to protect the British government. Located 100 feet below the surface, it covers 35 acres and was built to house 4,000 individuals. It was designed to be the emergency seat of the British government.
The Swiss Alps Bunkers (Switzerland)
Scattered throughout the Swiss Alps are shelters constructed during World War II and the Cold War to protect the entire population. Switzerland is estimated to have more than 300,000 of these structures, some of which are still in use today. Often hidden in plain sight, they are camouflaged as chalets or barns.
The Berlin Bunkers (Berlin, Germany)
During World War II, the Nazis constructed thousands of underground shelters throughout the city, many of which are still intact today. Some have been converted into museums, while others sit abandoned, hidden beneath the bustling streets.
Battle of Britain Bunker, London, UK
Deep beneath London’s streets lies the Battle of Britain Bunker, a relic from World War II that played an important role in defending the U.K. This underground hub was where the Royal Air Force’s top brass strategized to fend off German air raids.
China’s Underground Great Wall (Beijing, China)
As a vast underground network stretching for thousands of miles, it was constructed during the Cold War and is rumored to store nuclear weapons. The exact details are still a secret, but it’s obvious that China has put a lot of resources into its underground defenses.
Site R (Pennsylvania, USA)
Often called the “Underground Pentagon,” Site R, officially known as the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, is a backup command center designed to operate like the Pentagon in a major emergency situation. It was so secret that it wasn’t even recognized publicly until years after its establishment.
Winston Churchill’s Secret War Rooms, London, UK
In June 1938, work started on a secret underground complex. This facility was built to help the British government operate during air raids. The two-story bunker was finished in August 1939, just before the U.K. declared war on Germany. Winston Churchill first visited the site in May 1940, shortly after becoming Prime Minister.
White House Treasury Shelter (Washington, D.C., USA)
During World War II, the White House was considered too exposed for a presidential shelter. A hidden tunnel was built from the White House to the U.S. Treasury. Within the Treasury’s sturdy granite vaults, a 10-room suite was secretly prepared for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, complete with living quarters and a command center.