Communist Bunker Open To Public

Completed in 1983, a three storey underground bunker, designed to house East-German communist officials in the event of a nuclear attack, has opened just north of Berlin.

The bunker, built in a forested area 25km from the city, was the most sophisticated of its kind in the old Soviet bloc and was fitted with a fountain, air conditioning and "springed" rooms able to cushion residents from detonations. As well as GDR leader Erich Honecker, the bunker was to afford protection to up to 400 staff.

Open to the public for the next three months, in all likelihood the bunker will be concreted in, afterwards.