Cold War heritage in and under Vilnius
Reliable isolation from the outside world
Things which everybody can try for themselves
Original Soviet-era posters
Authentic survival equipment
During the Cold War, more than 300 civil defence shelters (also known as bunkers, vaults, fallout shelters) were built underground in Soviet Vilnius to protect residents from chemical, biological and nuclear attack, air bombardment and other threats.
These structures made of reinforced concrete were not only isolated from the outside world, but supplied with the equipment necessary for survival: filtered air, food, medical supplies, measurement devices and even items for recreational activities.
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After the collapse of the USSR, most of the shelters in Vilnius were sold, reconstructed, demolished or fell into disrepair. Some of the shelters still exist, but are inaccessible to the public. To preserve an intriguing and authentic relic of a bygone era, VšĮ Gatvės gyvos (Streets Alive) purchased a shelter that had belonged to the company Lietuvos automatika (in Soviet years called Vilniaus montavimo SZMA valdyba) in the Naujamiestis neighbourhood.
We invite anybody with an interest in not-so-obvious history to join us on a tour, during which you see under what conditions residents would have lived in case of nuclear war, you try on a chemical protective suit and gas mask, with your own hands you turn on the ventilation mechanisms and you open airtight doors weighing hundreds of kilograms.
Guided tours
Our professional guides will reveal the most interesting facts about the shelter and civil defense in Soviet times. The groups we form are small, so we ensure direct communication, the opportunity to ask questions and get immediate answers.
Public tours
After purchasing a ticket you will participate in an excursion led by a guide. Group size is limited to 10 persons, ensuring the ability to directly ask questions and get answers.
Schedule of upcoming public guided tours:
| - | - | - | Karantino apribojimų metu ekskursijos su gidu vedamos tik pagal privatų užsakymą. Slėptuvę taip pat galima lankyti be gido ekskursijų „Atrask pats“ metu. Due to quarantine restrictions guided tours are provided only by private order. The bunker can also be visited by "Discover-It-Yourself" tour. |
Private tours
If you have your own group, we can arrange a private tour at a time convenient for you.
- When booking a private tour conducted in Lithuanian language, the price for an adult participant is 10 €, for a child or pension-age participant is 7 €.
- When booking a private tour conducted in a foreign language (English, Russian, Spanish, Polish), the price for an adult participant is 12 €, for a child or pension-age participant is 9 €.
The minimum booking price for a private tour is 60 €.
Duration of the tour is about 1–1:15 hrs.
IMPORTANT! Due to the size of the shelter, we recommend that not more than 12 persons participate in a single tour. What if your group is larger? In such case we suggest to divide your collective into two smaller groups – one half will go to the shelter with our guide, another half will play orienteering game in surrounding neighbourhood of Naujamiestis. After some time, groups will switch activities. In such case whole programme (tour + orienteering game) will last about 2,5 hrs.
For groups larger than 12 persons orienteering game is free of charge. If your group smaller but you would like to play the game after the tour as well, it will additionally cost 30 €.
To arrange a visit please call +370 627 00 919 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.
“Discover-It-Yourself” tours
It is a special way to learn about the history of the shelter. During the visit the whole object is reserved just for you – so, no involvement of outsiders, no contact!
Upon arrival at the meeting point, our representative will give some instructions, a torch (everything takes place in the dark) and then you will start your journey. As you listen to the audio recording you will do everything by yourself at a comfortable pace – open the doors, turn on the devices and explore the exhibits. After completing the independent visit and going outside, our representative will answer any questions you may have.
Current schedule
When purchasing a ticket, you will choose how many people will attend, what date and time you will visit. After purchasing a ticket this 1.5 hour time and the whole shelter will be reserved just for you!
Upcoming dates for “Discover-It-Yourself” visits:
| 2021-04-16 | 18:00, 19:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
| 2021-04-18 | 15:30; 17:00, 18:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
| 2021-04-22 | 18:00, 19:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
| 2021-04-24 | 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
| 2021-04-28 | 18:00, 19:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
| 2021-04-30 | 18:00, 19:30. | LT / EN * | Bilietai / Tickets |
* Both languages are available. You choose the preferred one on-site.
Private appointments
If you have your own group of 1-6 people and the above publicly announced times are not suitable for you, we can arrange a private “Discover-It-Yourself” visit at a time convenient to you.
When booking a private visit, the prices are as follows:
| 1 | 35 |
| 2 | 40 |
| 3 | 45 |
| 4 | 50 |
| 5 | 55 |
| 6 | 60 |
Currently the “Discover-It-Yourself” service is provided in Lithuanian and English.
To arrange a visit please call +370 627 00 919 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.
Rental
We offer rental of the shelter for a short time. Some ideas for what you can do:
- photo session and filming;
- film showings (there is equipment for that purpose in the shelter);
- civil defence, survival training and the like;
- secret meetings of Masonic lodges and other clubs…
Rental terms and conditions are discussed on an individual basis.
Location
The meeting point for tours of the shelter is the bus stop Lelija, located at Panerių g. 45.
! After arriving at the meeting point, wait for your guide. We kindly but firmly request that you be on time, because all participants must enter the shelter at the same time, and those arriving late will be unable to communicate with the guide (there is no mobile phone signal in the shelter).
WAYS TO GET THERE:
- Bus route number 13 (Žemasis Pavilnys-Vilkpėdė). The bus passes by Subačiaus gatvė, Aušros Vartai (the Gate of Dawn), Halės Market, Stotis (bus/railway stations) and other sites. Complete route information and schedule.
- On foot. The shelter (bunker) is in the Naujamiestis neighbourhood, relatively close to the city centre. Download a map with marked routes leading from some of the main landmarks in Vilnius: download.
- By car. Please note that parking in the vicinity of the shelter (bunker) can be difficult, due to the lack of parking spaces, so if you do choose to come by car, plan to spend at least 5-10 minutes looking for a parking space.
About the organisers
„Gatvės gyvos“ is one of the best-known and highest-rated tour organisers in Vilnius.
Since 2015, our company has been presenting less-visited sites, located in the centre, various neighbourhoods and industrial areas, to residents and visitors. We organise tours on foot, by trolleybus and by other means of transport, as well as collect historical material and publish books.
We have adapted some of these activities not only for the enjoyment of adults, but also for children, including cultural day-camps, educational trips and specialised tours.
More about us: gatvesgyvos.lt