Bunker-42

“Bunker-42” on Taganka is one of the most unusual museums in the capital. It’s not just a historical place but a real underground complex 65 meters deep, once home to a secret military facility from the Cold War era. Today, visitors can walk through corridors hidden for decades, see genuine equipment used by military signalmen, and feel the atmosphere of the nuclear standoff period.

Secret Facility in the Heart of the Capital

The "Bunker-42" facility (code names "CHZ-293", "GO-42") is a unique deep fortification structure located in the central part of Moscow. The history of this underground complex began at a turning point in world history, when the emergence of nuclear weapons forced a complete rethinking of national security concepts.

Background to the Bunker’s Creation

Design of the classified facility began in 1945, after the U.S. used atomic bombs against Japan. This new type of weapon of mass destruction required adequate protective measures. Joseph Stalin set an ambitious dual task for Soviet scientists: to create the USSR’s own atomic bomb as quickly as possible and, at the same time, to develop effective means of protecting the population and government from nuclear attack.

Choosing the Location

In the autumn of 1947, the "Metoproject" institute presented a technical plan for the classified facility under the code name “Object 02.” The Tagansky Hill area was chosen for construction due to several strategic factors:

• Proximity to the Moscow Kremlin ensured rapid evacuation of top leadership
• Dense urban development provided natural camouflage
• Possibility of connecting to the metro infrastructure

The state expert commission assessing the project was headed by Lieutenant General of Engineering Troops Alexander Yakovlevich Kalyagin.

Construction of the Underground Fortress

Technical Specifications

In 1950, the construction and installation department of Mosmetrostroy began implementing the grand project. The structure’s parameters were determined by the results of the first Soviet nuclear tests conducted in 1949 at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. The depth of 65 meters and special design were intended to provide complete protection from all destructive factors of a nuclear explosion.

Construction Challenges

Builders faced an unprecedented challenge: to erect a massive underground structure in the densely populated city center while maintaining total secrecy. They had to avoid damaging city utilities and prevent any information leaks to foreign intelligence agencies. The design was modeled after previously built protective structures of similar purpose.

Construction Stages

1952 — completion of the main load-bearing structures of the underground complex Summer 1953 — installation of life-support systems April 1954 — facility begins operation; communication lines and specialized equipment installed The work proceeded at a rapid pace under the best specialists of “Metrostroy.” Soil excavation was carried out through four construction shafts previously used in the creation of Moscow Metro lines.

Years of Operation and Functional Purpose

Equipment and Communication

In 1955–1956, large-scale installation of technical systems took place. The USSR Ministry of Communications ensured the transmission of secret government and military messages, maintaining communication with radio centers both within the Soviet Union and in Warsaw Pact countries. For electronic warfare and communication with aircraft across the country, more than 1,000 shortwave transmitters were used.

Command Post of Strategic Aviation

For three decades—from commissioning until 1986—the underground bunker controlled long-range strategic bombers armed with nuclear weapons. The facility functioned as a backup command post, capable of maintaining continuous control of the armed forces even in the event of nuclear war. However, technological progress did not stand still. Designed in the realities of the 1950s, the bunker gradually lost its ability to withstand the new generation of precision weapons. This critical facility required modernization or relocation to a more protected site.

Cold War Museum: A New Life for a Secret Facility

Declassification and Transformation

Just as the once-impenetrable Moscow Kremlin became a historical monument, the secret “Bunker-42” opened its doors to the public. Yet even today, this unique complex continues to serve an important educational and cultural mission. Every day, visitors descend 65 meters underground to immerse themselves in the era of confrontation between two superpowers—when humanity stood on the brink of global nuclear conflict.

Architectural Features of the Complex

The Cold War Museum is located in an underground facility covering more than 7,000 square meters. The bunker consists of four parallel tunnels, each 9 meters in diameter, connected by a network of smaller passageways. The complex is linked to the Moscow Metro by two secret corridors, providing rapid evacuation and supply access.

Museum Exhibition

The museum’s collection features unique artifacts from the Cold War era:

• Soviet military radio stations and communication devices
• Chemical protection suits of various models
• Gas masks for civilian and military use
• Geiger counters for measuring radiation levels
• Soviet-era propaganda posters
• A reconstructed office of Joseph Stalin

Visiting the Museum: Practical Information

Opening Hours and Visiting Rules

It’s important to note that independent visits are not allowed — tours are available only as part of organized groups. Descent and ascent are made via a historic staircase, allowing visitors to fully experience the atmosphere of a secret military facility. Opening hours: group tours are held daily from 10:00 to 20:00 (last group forms at 20:00). Advance booking is required. Private tours and visits after 21:00 must be booked and paid at least one day before the visit.

Age Restrictions

For safety reasons, children under 8 years old are not allowed to visit the museum. Visitors under 14 must be accompanied by adults.

Excursion Programs

The museum offers a variety of interactive programs for complete immersion into the Cold War era:

1. Exploring the secret tunnels of the underground complex
2. Familiarization with Cold War-era weapons
3. Study of communication and strategic aviation control systems
4. Interactive historical reenactments

Historical Significance of the Site

“Bunker-42” stands as a remarkable monument of the Cold War era and a crucial element of the USSR’s civil defense system. This unique facility demonstrates the scale of Soviet preparations for a potential nuclear conflict and the technological level of mid-20th-century defense industry. The museum is located at Moscow, 5th Kotelnichesky Lane, Building 11. The nearest metro station is “Taganskaya” on the Circle Line. Visiting this military-historical complex allows modern generations to comprehend the magnitude of the confrontation between two world systems and appreciate the fragility of the peace we live in today.