history
The 173,000 bunkers of communist Albania
Between 1967 and 1986, paranoid dictator Enver Hoxha built 173,000 concrete bunkers across the country. You can still see them in fields, beaches and villages — and visit two huge ones in Tirana.
By myAlbania Editorial·April 28, 2026·2 min read
Why so many?
Hoxha's Albania broke with the Soviet Union in 1961, with China in 1978, and was convinced both NATO and the Warsaw Pact wanted to invade. The answer was bunkers — small mushroom-shaped pillboxes for two soldiers, larger command bunkers, and full underground military complexes.
They were never used in war.
Where to see them
Look anywhere off the highway — they're in olive groves, on beaches (Borsh, Velipojë), in mountains. The two biggest are now museums:
- Bunk'Art 1 — vast 5-storey command bunker on Mount Dajti, Tirana.
- Bunk'Art 2 — central Tirana bunker, focused on the secret police era.
- Cold War Tunnel, Gjirokastër — beneath the city.