Paldiski Nuclear Submarine Training Center, Former Soviet submarine training base in Paldiski, Estonia
This is a massive site filled with old military buildings that stand quietly against a flat landscape, surrounded by nature slowly reclaiming the space and a calm atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time to the Cold War era.
The center was built in the early 1960s as a top-secret Soviet base for training submarine crews, it was the largest of its kind in the Soviet Union, and after Estonia regained independence in the 1990s, the area was partially cleaned up and secured.
The place reflects the complex history of Soviet military presence in Estonia, and its silent structures remind people of Cold War tensions and the efforts related to nuclear safety, making it a symbol of a past that demands respect and reflection for many visitors.
The area is now protected and closely guarded, and access is restricted for safety reasons, so if you plan to visit, it is wise to learn beforehand about the current regulations and available opportunities for exploring the surrounding area.
Walking around this site, you notice how nature is slowly reclaiming the space, with long grasses and wildflowers growing between the cracks of concrete, giving the area a peaceful and mysterious atmosphere where the past seems to quietly rise from the ground.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
