Switzerland is reviving its vast network of wartime bunkers—many unused since the 1990s—as part of a strategic response to rising security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reported Euronews on July 19.
With around 8,000 bunkers scattered across the country, some dating back to the 19th century, the Swiss army aims to transform these relics of WWII and the Cold War into modern, tech-driven defense hubs.
Many were sold off and repurposed for civilian uses, from cheese storage and art galleries to crypto vaults. Now, the Swiss military has halted all bunker sales and is calling on tech firms, researchers, and start-ups to help reimagine these shelters as “difficult-to-attack defense nodes” using innovative, low-cost solutions, according to Swiss Army Chief Thomas Süssli.
Repurposing bunkers and turning them into something entirely different is not exclusive to Switzerland. As part of broader efforts to ensure safety and preservation, these fortified defensive structures continue to serve as critical shelters against missile attacks, aerial bombings, and other threats around the world. Yet many examples of military architecture have evolved beyond their original purpose. While some bunkers have fallen into ruin, others have been preserved as historical symbols or transformed into unique tourist attractions.
Click through this gallery and explore the mysterious underground world of bunkers—where history and protection converge.