Hidden away, a defunct nuclear missile facility resides amidst the dense woodlands of Lithuania
Nestled in the heart of Žemaitija National Park, 15 minutes north of the nuclear site, lies the small town of Plateliai. This quaint location is home to the Church of Apostles Peter and Paul, an 18th-century wooden building, and the Mardi Gras Museum, famous for its distinctive wooden masks [2]. However, the most intriguing attraction in the area is the Plokštinė Missile Base Museum, a former Soviet nuclear missile launch site, now transformed into a Cold War Museum [3].
Constructed in secrecy between 1960 and 1962, the Plokštinė Missile Base housed four medium-range ballistic SS-4 missiles, each equipped with 2-megaton thermonuclear warheads [5]. The base was buried deep into the sandy soil and hidden by dense forest, reflecting the Cold War's secrecy and military strategy [3].
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, much of the base's equipment was pilfered, leaving mostly the structural remains and rooms intact [1]. Despite this, the site was converted into a museum that offers visitors a glimpse into Cold War history, including access to a missile launch silo and various exhibits [1]. An audio tour is available to enhance the experience, though some visitors note challenges with audio volume and acoustics [1].
The museum's centerpiece is the silo, standing 100 feet tall and the site of several accidents over the years [4]. Visitors can also explore thematic interactive halls devoted to various stages of the Cold War, learning about propaganda produced during the second half of the 20th century [6]. The public can access the command center, electric plant, and one silo at the museum, which opened in 2012 [7].
The facility was heavily secured with an electric fence stretching for two miles around the base [8]. The complex also had a subterranean power plant for emergency energy generation [9]. The museum is filled with Soviet paraphernalia, including statues of Lenin and Stalin, military awards, and hammer-and-sickle ceramics and flags [10].
Today, the Plokštinė Missile Base museum is a significant military and historical attraction in the region, receiving positive reviews and being ranked highly among places to visit in Plateliai [1]. It serves as an important reminder of Lithuania’s Cold War past and Soviet military presence.
Visitors can access the museum daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM [1]. The museum continues to stand as a poignant relic of Cold War tensions and offers an educational experience about Lithuania’s strategic role during this period.
| Aspect | Details | |---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Construction period | 1960–1962 | | Location | Žemaitija National Park, near Plateliai, Lithuania | | Function (1963–78) | Soviet missile base with four SS-4 medium-range missiles armed with 2-megaton warheads[3][5] | | Post-Soviet status | Almost stripped of equipment, converted to museum | | Current use | Cold War Museum with missile silo and exhibits | | Visitor info | Open daily 10 AM - 6 PM; audio tours available |
In the heart of Žemaitija National Park, a historic Cold War Museum, the Plokštinė Missile Base, offers insights into Lithuania's strategic role during the Cold War. The museum, which houses a missile launch silo and interactive exhibits, serves as a poignant reminder of the region's past and showcases the intertwining of science, environmental-science, and lifestyle within the context of military history. Visitors can explore thematic halls revealing how Cold War strategies affected daily life, environment, and scientific advancements.
