Bunker near Gjirokastër

This bunker is part of Albania's extensive Cold War-era bunkerization program, which began in 1967 under the isolationist communist regime of Enver Hoxha. The policy, known as "bunkerizimi," resulted in the construction of hundreds of thousands of concrete bunkers across Albania's diverse terrain, from coastal areas to mountainous regions. These structures were built to defend against potential invasions and symbolized the regime's paranoia and emphasis on self-reliance during the Cold War period.