The Audio Long Read Why does Switzerland have more nuclear bunkers than any other country?
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Jul 4, 2025 Switzerland boasts over 370,000 nuclear bunkers, enough to shield its entire population. This deep dive uncovers the historical laws that led to such a robust civil protection system and explores why public interest in these bunkers is resurging today. The discussion highlights the multifunctionality of these shelters, revealing their significance in Swiss identity. It also weighs the balance between diplomacy and militarism in crisis management as global tensions rise, prompting reflections on safety and security.
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Shelbert's Bunker Requests Anecdote
- Zora Shelbert received many requests about bunkers during the start of the Ukraine war, initially thinking they were jokes.
- People confused her historical society with the civil protection department, reflecting public anxiety.
Renewed European Civil Protection Focus
- European countries, including Switzerland, have renewed focus on civilian protection amid new security threats.
- Switzerland's long-standing shelter mandate contrasts with recent reintroductions or debates in other nations.
Swiss Universal Bunker Mandate
- Since 1963, Swiss law mandates every new residential building to have either an on-site or funded public bunker.
- This policy has created a bunker system capable of sheltering the entire population.