Subways, Bunkers, Cold War

During the Cold War, Berlin's underground also became a volatile hotspot where Western and Eastern powers clashed head-on. We vividly review important events from this conflict-ridden era at the authentic location – the underground structure at Blochplatz.
Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the subway, we begin by describing the construction of the Blochplatz facility as a result of the subway construction. We shed light on its later conversion into a public shelter – a bunker – presumably through the use of forced labour. We show how the bunker, after years of neglect, was provisionally repaired as a civil defence facility at the height of the Cold War between 1981 and 1983. In connection with the history and function of this unusual building, we reflect on the various stages of escalation during the Cold War: dealing with the fear of the atomic bomb – when the world stood on the brink of destruction, the division of Germany and Berlin, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall, the spectacular Rudow spy tunnel, sewer escape routes and guarded ghost stations. The special atmosphere of the facility, as well as photos, authentic exhibits and informative models, such as the true-to-scale replica of a devastating atomic bomb with massive destructive power or the reconstruction of a walk-in sewer pipe, bring the history of the Cold War underground to life.
As an ideological East-West conflict, the Cold War dominated the second half of the 20^th century. The tour of this historic site illustrates how the conditions of that time still have an impact today in light of current wars and the continuing threat of nuclear danger, and asks the question: What have we learned from this?