What poses as a dreary rehabilitation centre is in fact a top-secret Soviet bunker, known by its code name, the Pension. When Latvia was part of the USSR, it was one of the most important strategic hideouts during a time of nuclear threat. In fact, the bunker’s location was so tightly guarded that it remained classified information until 2003. Almost all of the bunker’s 2000 sq m still look as they did when it was in operation.
It is interesting to note that there is only one bed in the entire bunker even though it was designed for a large crew complement (250 people) – workers were meant to sleep at their stations. Tours last up to 1½ hours and can be translated into English and German. Weekend tours include a (surprisingly tasty) Soviet-style lunch served within the bunker’s cafeteria. Note the plastic flowers on the table – they’ve been adorning the dining hall since 1982.
