Katarina rock shelter, Cold War air-raid shelter in Södermalm, Sweden.
Katarina is a three-level underground shelter located beneath the streets of Södermalm. The facility features reinforced concrete construction, specialized ventilation systems, and was designed to accommodate approximately 20,000 people.
Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1957 as tensions of the Cold War increased. Stockholm needed protected spaces for its residents as nuclear threats became more serious.
The shelter shows how Sweden prepared to protect its people from nuclear danger during the Cold War. Walking through it reveals the fears and concerns that shaped civil defense planning in the 1950s.
The space functions as a parking facility under normal conditions but can be quickly activated for emergencies. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the underground areas are cool and may have uneven surfaces.
The facility includes specialized cooling basins designed to store approximately 200,000 kilograms of ice. This system was intended to maintain stable temperatures during emergencies and represented an innovative technical solution of the era.
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