West Star, Military bunker in Affi, Province of Verona, Italy.
West Star is an underground military complex carved into Monte Moscal mountain with three entrances and two levels containing more than 100 specialized rooms. The facility includes air filtration systems, water tanks, kitchens, and shower areas with radiation protection features.
The complex was built in the 1960s to serve as a telecommunications center for NATO forces in northeastern Italy. It remained operational until 2006, when Cold War defense needs no longer justified its military use.
The facility now serves as a place where visitors explore how Cold War anxieties shaped military planning through exhibitions and guided tours. People can see the scale of preparation that was considered necessary to protect entire populations from a perceived threat.
The site is accessible to visitors through organized guided tours that lead through the interior of the complex. Sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing are recommended, as the underground environment maintains constant temperatures and can be humid.
The structure incorporates anti-seismic construction techniques designed to withstand natural disasters while protecting occupants. The deep underground location within the mountain provided additional layers of natural shielding against external threats.
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