Schulerloch bunker in Spišská Nová Ves. (source: SITA)
After more than a month since becoming available to the public, the military bunker in the suburban recreation area of Schulerloch in Spišská Nová Ves, eastern Slovakia, has already been visited by several dozen tourists.
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The municipality restored the bunker and created a small world of military history inside it, offering a glimpse into the past.
Even many residents of the town did not know about the existence of the bunker from 1985, as it appears inconspicuous, said Mária Dutková from the department of tourism and foreign relations at the town hall.
Bunker hosts mini exhibition
“It was quite neglected and abandoned, falling into disrepair. We managed to clean, renovate and repair it to such a state that it became a mini exhibition. We furnished the bunker with old military items to make it look authentic," Dutková described for the SITA news agency.
Visitors to the bunker have the opportunity of viewing not only authentic military items from the 1960s to the 1980s, but also old medical equipment. The mini-exhibition is dedicated to the memory of the activities of military unit 3521 in Spišská Nová Ves.
Unusual tourist experience
Another unusual experience has been added to the tourist offer of the Spiš region thanks to this initiative, said the governor of the Košice Region, Rastislav Trnka.
"It offers a unique adventure as well as being an important reminder of the milestones in history that shaped our region," he remarked on the occasion of the bunker's opening.
The mayor of the city, Pavol Bečarik, added that it is one of the few military bunkers in the region preserved in good condition. The military shelter is among those that were built en masse in the second half of the 20th century, for training purposes.
It was never actually used.
Entrance to the bunker
Access to the bunker after its renewal is possible in two ways, by using a chip or a mobile application. Those interested can borrow the chip for a deposit at the Tourist Information Centre on Letná Street in the city centre. In the case of the mobile application, internet connection and Bluetooth are required.
Exact instructions were published by the city on social networks, as well as the website.
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