Former Yugoslavia's biggest military secret

At the foot of Mount Zlatar in Bosnia, hidden from public view, is one of the most ambitious buildings in the former Yugoslavia – the Atomic Warfare Command (ARK), also known as Tito's bunker.

Built to ensure the safety of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and 350 members of his inner circle in the event of a nuclear attack, this complex was one of the former state's biggest secrets until its fall in the 1990s.

Construction of the ARK began in 1953, at the height of the Cold War, and lasted until 1979. Located inside a hill near Konjic, the bunker represented the most important and secret military facility in Yugoslavia.

During the 26 years of work on this project, 4.6 billion US dollars were invested, which speaks volumes for the importance Tito's administration attached to this facility.

The construction workers were carefully selected and passed strict security checks and all signed non-disclosure agreements.

The task was clear: to provide an impregnable underground fortress, which, in the worst case, would allow the continuation of state government.

A state-of-the-art shelter

The bunker is designed as a self-sustaining structure with enough space and resources for several months of isolation. Inside it are living quarters, conference rooms, offices and other necessary facilities that would enable the government to function in the event of a nuclear crisis.

Completed in 1979, the bunker was equipped with the latest technology of the time, but its true purpose was never put to the test. After Tito's death in 1980, the facility remained in a state of readiness, guarded and maintained as a key strategic point.

The fate of bunkers during the breakup of Yugoslavia

The breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s brought an uncertain fate to many strategic facilities, including the ARK.

In March 1992, the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) issued an order to destroy the bunker so that it would not fall into the hands of the Bosnian authorities. However, the military detachment tasked with enforcing that order decided not to carry it out.

Instead, the bunker was handed over to the Bosnian government, saving one of the region's most important historical buildings.

After decades of secrecy, the ARK is now open to the public and serves as a historical attraction. Visitors have the opportunity to take a look inside one of the most impressive underground shelters ever built in the region and gain an insight into the complex infrastructure and security measures that characterized the Cold War era.

Tito's bunker remains a symbol of a period of political tension, technological innovation and an unprecedented determination to build a shelter for worst-case scenarios. Today it stands as a memory of a troubled era and a fascinating part of the history of the former Yugoslavia, writes Klik.hr.