Czech bunkers that dot the border of the Czech Republic were originally built during the Interwar period after World War I in order to safeguard Czechoslovakia from the potential threat posed by the Germans. The bunkers were built with the aid of the French, who shared their technical knowledge that they were using for their own series of fortifications, known as the Maginot Line. As a result, Czechoslovakia was able to build state of the art fortifications along their border.

Alas, they would never get to make use of them, as when Hitler and the Germans did come for Czechoslovakia, the Munich Agreement signed between Great Britain, France, and Germany effectively handed them over without a fight. Ironically, by handing over the Czechoslovakian bunkers to the Germans, the French essentially allowed them to test their weapons and strategies against fortifications that were similar to those that the French had on the Maginot Line, which would later help the Germans when they invaded France during World War II. Following the end of World War II and the communist takeover by the Soviets in Czechoslovakia, the bunkers were restored and re-equipped, with new ones being built by the Soviets as part of a defense against the Germans and NATO.

Today, the Czech government does not see a purpose for their old bunkers and fortifications. Many bunkers have been sealed and abandoned, going unused for many years. The Ministry of Defense, viewing the bunkers as a financial burden to maintain, has opted instead to begin selling some of these fortifications to private investors. Some who buy them intend to convert the structures into historical museums or for personal use. Others may purchase them intent on removing the construction from the land. Nonetheless, as many historians have noted, these bunkers hold historical significance and should be treated as such.

Written by James Travis

Sources:

Frankova, Ruth. “Project to Revive Abandoned WWII Bunkers.” Radio Prague International. March 5, 2024. https://english.radio.cz/project-revive-abandoned-wwii-bunkers-8810417.

Kenety, Brian. “Historic Part of Czech ‘Maginot Line’ Fortress Opening to the Public.” Radio Prague International. July 22, 2020. https://english.radio.cz/historic-part-czech-maginot-line-fortress-opening-public-8687121.

Kenety, Brian and Jaromir Marek. “Military Buffs Fear for the Future of the Czech ‘Maginot Line’.” Radio Prague International. May 11, 2005. https://english.radio.cz/military-buffs-fear-future-czech-maginot-line-8098810.

Mikule, Martin. “WWII Bunkers for Sale.” Radio Prague International. July 6, 2005. https://english.radio.cz/wwii-bunkers-sale-8629413.

Velinger, Jan. “Czechs ‘Fired Up’ Over WWII-era Bunkers.” Radio Prague International. November 8, 2016. https://english.radio.cz/czechs-fired-over-ww-ii-era-bunkers-8209295.