The Plokštinė base was built in absolute secrecy between 1960 and 1962, officially disguised as a construction project for a summer camp.
Four R-12 ballistic missiles were housed in the silos, each capable of carrying a thermonuclear warhead with a range of 2,000 kilometers.
The silos were engineered to survive a direct nuclear strike, provided the blast did not occur within the immediate radius of the launch site.
The site remained undetected by Western intelligence for nearly two years after construction began.
Construction involved thousands of Soviet soldiers working in shifts to dig the massive shafts without the use of heavy excavation machinery to maintain secrecy.
The base was officially abandoned in 1978 after the shift toward more modern, mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems.
The location was chosen specifically for its remote, dense forest surroundings within the Žemaitija region to mask the site's true purpose.
After deactivation, the base was stripped of its military hardware and largely left to decay until its conversion into a museum.
The Cold War Museum is housed in a former Soviet nuclear missile silo located within the Žemaitija National Park. It occupies the site of the Plokštinė missile base, which was the first underground ballistic missile base constructed by the Soviet Union. The facility consists of four 30-meter-deep concrete silos connected by a network of tunnels. The exhibition details the history of the Cold War, the mechanics of the R-12 Dvina missiles once stored here, and the daily lives of soldiers during the conflict. It serves as a reminder of nuclear threats and military engineering from the 1960s. The site was decommissioned in 1978 and now functions as a branch of the Žemaitija National Park management office. Visitors traverse original subterranean chambers and corridors preserved in their historical state. The museum is located deep within a forested area, emphasizing the former secrecy of the installation.
The central control room area provides the most iconic visual of the Soviet-era industrial aesthetic.
Bring a warm jacket as the underground temperature remains cool and damp throughout the year regardless of the weather outside.
Wear comfortable, non-slip walking shoes to navigate the metal stairs and uneven concrete tunnels.
Plan to explore the surrounding forest trails after the museum visit, as the site is situated in the heart of a large national park.
Do not attempt to walk off-trail in the surrounding forest, as the area is protected and navigation can be difficult.
The museum is typically closed on Mondays and operates on a reduced schedule during the winter months.
Maintain a respectful tone; avoid touching sensitive machinery displays or crossing safety barriers in the restricted tunnel sections.
