Huge nuclear bunker in Italy is set to become a Cold War museum
West Star, a former Nato HQ near Verona, is expected to host 100,000 visitors annually
A subterranean military bunker in northern Italy, originally built between 1960 and 1966 as a key NATO command-and-control centre, is now set to become a Cold War museum. The sprawling underground complex, known as West Star, was designed to withstand nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks and could house 300 personnel for 30 days during a nuclear emergency.
The 13,000 square meter facility contained over 100 specialized rooms linked by a 1-kilometer tunnel network, and featured amenities such as a gym, bar, and mechanics' workshops. The bunker was decommissioned in 2004 and was later transferred to the municipality of Affi in 2018. Plans to convert the complex into a museum received approval this year after Italian parliamentarians allocated €7 million for its transformation by 2029.
The university of Florence led a study to map the site, digitize technical documents, and interview former employees about life at the bunker. The museum will offer three separate routes for visitors, including families with children, school groups, and those familiar with Cold War history. Part of the site will open to the public by the summer of next year, with an expected annual visitor count of 100,000.
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