Civil Defence Shelter Museum

About

The Civil Defence Shelter Museum in Liberec offers a rare chance to step directly into the tense atmosphere of the Cold War. Hidden beneath the city, the shelter was built to protect civilians in the event of air raids or nuclear threat, and today it remains almost entirely intact. Visitors walk through narrow corridors, emergency rooms, and communication points equipped with original devices, from filtration systems to field telephones. One of the most striking elements is the preserved command centre, where staff would have coordinated rescue operations during a crisis. Exhibits explain how shelters were supplied, how long people could survive inside, and what daily life under emergency conditions might have looked like. Authentic signage, emergency kits, and period instructions create an immersive experience that reveals both the fears and the practical preparations of the era. The museum offers a powerful reminder of how deeply civil defence shaped life in Central Europe.

Liberec Czech Republic

Location

The Civil Defence Shelter Museum in Liberec is located at Luxemburgská Street in the city, in the largest civil defence shelter in Liberec. The shelter was built starting in the late 1930s and later became an air-raid shelter, now offering guided tours with an exhibition on civil defence history and its present-day role. Inside, visitors can see gas masks, protective suits, original equipment, a fully functional engine room, and filter-ventilation systems. The shelter is in northern Liberec, not far from the city center. Guided tours take place on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m., and last about 70–90 minutes. The year-round temperature inside is around 11 °C, so warm clothing is recommended. Nearby, you can explore many of Liberec’s top attractions. The city center is home to the striking Liberec Town Hall, the Neo-Renaissance North Bohemian Museum, the Regional Gallery, and IQ Park, an interactive science center. The famous Liberec Zoo, the only place in the Czech Republic to see white tigers, is nearby, together with its beautiful Botanical Garden featuring orchids. For a bigger day out, take a tram to Ještěd Mountain and its iconic hotel and TV transmitter, or visit the Babylon Centre for aquapark fun, saunas, and spa relaxation.