Stalin's Bunker

Reserve command center of the Supreme commander-in-chief of Red Army I.V.Stalin


Useful Information

Location: Metro station "Partizanskaya".
Open: All year Wed-Sun 10-17.
[2007]
Fee: Adults RUB 30, School Pupils RUB 10, Students RUB 10.
Photography Permit RUB 50, Video Permit RUB 100.
[2007]
Classification: SubterraneaWorld War II Bunker
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=17,000 m, Ar=135.000 m².
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Central museum of Armed Forces, 2, Ulitsa Sovietskoy Armii, Moscow, 129110, Tel.: +7-495-681-48-77 E-mail: contact
"FOP "Izmailovo", 80, Str. Sovietskaya, 105122, Moscow, Tel.: +7 (495) 166-99-70, Fax: +7 (495) 166-74-22 E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1939 start of construction.
1941 visited the first time by Stalin.
NOV to DEC-1941 Stalin worked in the shelter during the hardest days of the war.
1990s renovated.
1996 opened for the public.

Description

Stalin's underground shelter was constructed for the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Such structures exist in most capitals of Europe, but this one is unique. The size is extraordinary, with a total area of 135.000 m². It is connected to the Kremlin by an 17 km long underground tunnel. To keep the construction a secret, the subway of Moscow and a huge national sport center was built. However, with the begin of the World War, the construction of the sports area was stopped, but the bunker below was already completed. And the unfinished sports arena made a good camouflage.

The huge construction is now partly open to the public. Beneath Stalin's Study, a big conference hall with unique acoustics, and an underground restaurant were renovated.

Today the shelter is is a branch of the Central Museum of Armed Forces. This museum has 24 rooms showing the history of the Russian Army and Navy from the beginning of the 18th century until today. A collection of over 800.000 military and historical objects draws about one million visitors to the museum every year.