The cheap fare in the Zero Stern Hotel (AP).Why exactly this hotel? For a whole bunch of reasons: it is not expensive, unfortunately the cheapest fare has no breakfast included and the fact of having hot water for your shower wil depend on a wheel of fortune and your bed is a military-style bunk. For some extra few money, the more luxurious fare you get to sleep on a plush, antique Biedermeier bed instead of a military bunk-one. In both cases, the view is to the four white walls, the guest receives earplugs in case you can't sleep because of the fans and slippers (because of the icy floor), and also heating is made by ways of hot bags. The only view of the outside world is in monitors at the "lobby" which show live camera images. Did you find out what this hotel is?
No? Don't worry, I think besides Switzerland not many other countries have this amount of nuclear shelters spreaded all over the country, maybe more than 20 000.
How can it be possible? Though all over its history, Switzerland's main goals were to stay independent and out of fights, they were cautious and always believed something bad could happen to them (why not?). As so, its first important bunker was built in 1886. As 2nd WW came and then the Cold War, more and more were constructed since it became obligatory for every new building or house built. The ones who did not have its own, could pay a tax and have a place at a communal bunker, like the one close to Lucerne city.In the south way to Italy, close to the Lucerne, one of the biggest nuclear shelters in the world deserves proper attention. Alread utilizing the fact that the Sonnenberg Tunnel was being built in the 70s, this bunker was built to hold 20 000 people when governors decided Lucern had not enough of them. It possesses a "good enough hospital", food, 2 lights indicating if outside was day or night, and even a prison (it doens't matter the world outside became dust, there can always be social problems inside). It can stand 70 Hiroshima bombs with its one and the half meter thick 2 doors weighting 350 tonnes each. Unfortunately, due to poor maintenance over the past years, it cannot be "used" for so many people in case of nuclear war anymore. Its doors, that don't close well anymore, will be repared and it was declared it has good capacity just for 2000 people. (Can you imagine 20 000 desparate people in there?, how many psycologists would be necessary?)
And what happened to the other bunkers? Some of the private ones became wine cellars, ski lacers/boot keeper, and why not, other old things keeper. Besides, you have to agree that it wouldn't be so comfortable, though handy. Though it is not obligatory to build them (is this really true?), some people still do it meanwhile constructing their houses, adding 4% extra costs to it. "Why not?", they say.
A photographer called Leo Fabrizio walked all over Switzerland making pictures about as many bunkers as he could, like seen above.I think we don't have a private one. I have to ask our landlord!!! But during our nice walks, I saw one close to our house!! Of course KRisz wanted to enter, but no way I go in there. I will take a pic next time and you can tell me what you all think!
Anyway I am in peace because I know in the next siren check, there are people specially trained for this occasion that will hopely help me find my home sweet home shelter!
So see you around in what will be, let's hope, just a siren test!
Sources: BBC, The Sun, Wikipedia, Swiss Info.
VIDEO: http://www.vacationideas.me/europe/null-stern-hotel-zero-star-hotel-sevelen-switzerland/
Anyway, some of them are utilized by the government as super safe places and also for conference rooms.
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