Ministry of Defense is offering bunkers from the 1930s, with prices starting at CZK 90,000
Eighty-seven years ago, Nazi Germany, Italy, France, and Great Britain signed the Munich Agreement, leading Czechoslovakia to surrender its borderlands to Germany. Thousands of new bunkers called "řopíky," built to defend against the Nazis, became useless as they were mostly in occupied territory. Now some of them are for sale.
To this day, thousands of bunkers are owned by the state, which is gradually disposing of them. For example, the state is currently selling bunkers in Šumice near Brno and in Stříbro in the Tachov region.
The bunker for sale is located in Stříbro, not far from the Mže River on Polní Street. Czech Radio visited the site to speak with military historian Petr Petr.
"It is a reinforced structure, model 37, type A180. Built to withstand 150 mm artillery fire, it weighs 190 tons and is the largest of the light structures. It is well preserved and completely undamaged."
Of the original approximately ten thousand bunkers scattered across Czechia, many have not been preserved. Over 4,500 have been transferred to the Ministry of Defense, more than half of which already have new owners. Magdalena Hynčíková from the Ministry of Defense's press department with more:
"The Ministry of Defense has so far transferred a total of 2,457 permanent fortifications to legal entities and individuals, local governments, and other state organizations. The minimum purchase price for a bunker in Stříbro is CZK 90,000."
The mentioned Stříbro bunker is located on land owned by a local company, which holds the right of first refusal. According to its managing director, Josef Zeman, the company intends to purchase the bunker. Hynčíková from the Ministry of Defense states that the new owner may use the bunker as they wish, including modifying or demolishing it, provided it complies with the law.
Museums in bunkers
Some bunkers have been serving as museums for years. According to historian Petr, there is one bunker every 100 meters around Stříbro. Two of these structures are open to the public, managed by the Kladruby Military History Association, chaired by Petr.
"The Ministry of Defense transferred these structures to us in the public interest, on the condition that we operate them as museums for the public. We have been operating them since 2003. The structure is equipped exactly according to the 1938 regulations.
"That's how it was during the construction and mobilization in 1938, with lighting provided by kerosene lamps. From the very beginning, we strove for maximum authenticity. I dare say that it is in such a condition as if the soldiers had just left for a moment and the facility remained empty."
The bunker is made of reinforced concrete and lined with wood, which insulates sound and heat.
"In 22 years, we've had over 15,000 visitors. We want to show the public that our ancestors were determined to defend their country and had the technical equipment to do so.
"The main weapons in the gun mounts are heavy machine guns. After just twelve shots, it would be impossible to breathe here, mainly due to carbon monoxide. That's why there's a hand-cranked fan here," says Petr, showing off the bunker's arsenal.
