The Practicality of Helsinki's Underground Bomb Bunkers

"[Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine] changed a lot. In '22, there was a humongous increase in calls coming in: Where's my shelter? Where's my shelter'?"

"We build, and we let people know we build."

"We are also letting our opponents, possible enemy, know: 'We have the capability and means to protect'."

"Your terror will not succeed." 

Pasi Raatikainen, senior civil defense planner, Helsinki 

 

"We were thinking, with modern warfare security, you don't need to go into hiding anymore."

"But Russia showed us, they don't do modern warfare."

"It's old-fashioned bombing of civilians. Even with drones."

"It's useful to go to shelters."

Teemu Kurkela, founder JMM Architects, Helsinki 

Below the bustling streets of Helsinki, Temppeliaukio Church is one of several subterranean sites that attract locals and tourists alike. Subodh Agnihotri/Alamy

 

Finland's president Alexander Stubb does not mince words, nor concern himself that warning against Moscow's likely plans to extend a version of its 'Special Military Operation' elsewhere among Russia's near-abroad once it finishes with Ukraine, will have the effect of unduly alarming Finns, potentially causing widespread public panic. And that is due to the fact that Finland has been through this before, and Finns have the good sense to feel a certain level of apprehension, leavened by their trust in their own government to have the security of their nation uppermost in mind and under control.

 

Finland long ago built a network of "aestonsuoja" -- civil defense shelters for haven from bombs from its violently aggressive neighbour with which it shares an uneasy border of 830 miles. Unlike most other European countries that had built civilian shelters, and following the collapse of the Cold War, felt sufficiently reassured that the fangs had been drawn from the dragon that threatened their autonomy and way of life, to abandon them, Finland kept its intact.

 

At the Underground Formula Center beneath eastern Helsinki’s Myllypuro neighborhood, go-kart enthusiasts race around a course. Courtesy of City of Helsinki

 

As a result, there are about 5,500 civil defense shelters, a number more than sufficient to comfortably shelter Helsinki's 700,000 residents at a time of need. Some fifty of the sites are located in immense subterranean spaces where they serve as parking lots, metro stations, skateboard parks, go-kart tracks, archery ranges and the city's popular Itakeskus swimming hall. The Vapaan Taiteen Tila performance space is located in one of these spaces, offering stage productions and art exhibitions in a cave.

 

Each of these subterranean halls were designed to be able to withstand blast waves and building collapses, as well as radiation. They serve as fortified bunkers in the event of a military invasion -- even with the potential of a nuclear blast in mind. Play Caves are immensely popular with children  and their parents, viewed as safe and engaging places of fun and games. They are complete with rope ladders and trampolines, challenging the acrobatic derring-do of the young, accessible through well-known mazes.

 

A view of an underground hockey rink in Helsinki, Finland, a city with a secret "Underground City" underneath it.   ABC News

 

The city rents out the cave spaces on the condition that they can retain their security utility by conversion to shelter use within a 72-hour period. Shelters located in residential and commercial buildings share the same conversion requirements. A map and telephone hotline assists residents in locating nearby shelters. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its expansionary threat to Russia's other neighbours, Finnish architects felt the shelter mandate to be out of date. Unfortunately, territorial aggression and the conflict that accompanies it is never out of date.  

 

The Itakeskus shelter accommodates an Olympic-size pool, water slides, high dives, a gym and saunas. Transformed into its original shelter purpose it can house 3,800 people during a time of conflict. "It's just part of who we are. Everybody here knows how to use a gun", commented 37-year-old real estate developer Isto Okonhovi for whom the space that readily doubles as a bunker recalls hearing war stories from his grandfather, twice injured by Russian bombs.

 

The Museum of Civil Defense operated by the Civil Defence Association of Helsinki is located in one such cave where volunteers are trained to serve as shelter operators. "We need to have them if war should break out, and demand is high. It feels important to be able to help", explained Jukka Lehtiranta, chairman of the association board. 

 

Swimmers relax in an underground pool in Helsinki, Finland. All buildings above a certain size in Finland are required by law to have their own bunkers.   ABC News