Cold War Bunker AUTOMATIKA |

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

About the shelter (bunker)

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.

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.

Schedule

Date	Time	Tour	Language	Tickets
2022-10-02	14:00	Guided tour	EN	Purchase
2022-10-12	18:30	Guided tour	LT	Purchase

* If you can’t find a tour with your preferred language, please contact us and book a private tour.

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.

Upcoming public guided tours are announced in the section Schedule.

ATTENTION! Please be informed that due to COVID-19 public guided tours are being organized not as often as usually. If you do not find a suitable offer in the schedule, please order a private guided tour or join “Discover-It-Yourself” tours.

Private tours

If you have your own group, we can arrange a private tour at a time convenient for you.

Lithuanian, Russian, English language. Price for adult 12 €, for child or pension-age participant 8 €.

The minimum booking price for a private tour is 72 €.

Duration of the tour is about 1–1:15 hrs.

IMPORTANT! Due to the size of the shelter, we recommend that not more than 10 persons participate in a single tour.

What if your group is larger? In such case we suggest to divide your collective into smaller groups and visit the shelter one-after-another. We can also offer other solutions, e. g., several different tours (including the shelter) simultaneously, etc. Please contact us for such inquiries.

To arrange a visit please call +370 684 49 818 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.

Upcoming dates and times for “Discover-It-Yourself” tours are announced in section Schedule.

If the times listed there do not fit your needs, we can organise a visit by private order.

Private appointments

When booking a private visit, the prices are as follows:


1	35
2	40
3	45
4	50

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.

info(at)gatvesgyvos.lt

+370 684 59 818

download map

About us

„Gatvės gyvos“ (in English – Streets Alive) 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