Former NATO Bunker in Italy to Become Cold War Museum

In northern Italy, a massive underground bunker that used to serve NATO is being transformed into a Cold War museum. This facility, called West Star, spans 13,000 square meters and was dug into a hillside near Lake Garda, close to Affi and Verona, between 1960 and 1966. Designed to withstand nuclear, chemical, and biological attacks, it features over 100 specialized rooms linked by a 1-kilometer tunnel, supporting up to 300 personnel for a month. It was NATO’s command center for southern Europe until it was decommissioned in 2007 and was transferred to Affi in 2018. With €7 million earmarked for its renovation by 2029, the museum is expected to welcome visitors by summer 2026, showcasing unique artifacts like original maps and early ARPANET tech.