After the end of World War II, Albania became a communist state with a gentleman by the name of Enver Hoxha as the head of state. He asked himself, "What is the most important development needed under Albania's new nationhood?" Of course, the answer was obvious... bunkers to save the people in the event of attack from army tanks. That's not to say that education, roads, hospitals and police were not important. But after the war... how long had they to prepare for the next? So, Enver got to work and did his sums. He wanted a bunker that could accommodate 4 people... and given Albania's population of 2.5 million, that meant 625,000 bunkers. Allow for population growth... lets make it 700,000.
He sought the finest bunker makers in Albania for guidance... his brother, cousins, in laws, the lot. Eventually, he chose his maker and asked for a specimen. This took no time at all to build... just a couple of months... and the builder was very proud of the product. Enver was thorough. "Will people be safe inside the bunker when being fired upon by a military tank." "Of course ", said the builder," I guarantee it myself". "OK" said Enver, "You stand inside the specimen... and we'll fire some cannons at you." "Well, I didn't mean that type of guarantee... I meant... " But it was too late. He was made to stand in the bunker during a 10 minutes shelling. The builder was safe... he walked away unscathed.
During the 41 year period Albania was under his rule, Enver completed building the 700,000 bunkers. The resources held back Albania's development in so many areas. Not one of the bunkers has been used by civilians during a military attack but were put to some military use during the Balkans conflict in1990. They still dominate the scenery in the countryside and suburbia... many still exist in Tirana.
The bunkers were abandoned following the collapse of Communism in 1990. Most are now derelict, though some have been reused for a variety of purposes including residential accommodation, cafés, storehouses and shelters for animals or the homeless. Their most common use now is said to be as a convenient place for young Albanians to lose their virginity. Landowners have permission to destroy the bunkers on their property. But the builder has ended up having the last laugh... they are too solid to destroy! It takes ages to gradually break up the thick reinforced concrete.
If you can think of a use for 700,000 bunkers, would you be kind enough to drop a line to the Albanian government?
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