Gjadër Abandoned Underground Airbase in Albania

The Gjadër airfield is unique in Albania in being built near a mountain. It was built to allow aircraft after landing to go into a tunnel under the mountain. The tunnels have a capacity of storing about 50 aircraft plus personnel. As the airfield is located in the side of the mountain, the pilots have to be careful not to turn when taking off as they can crash into the sides of the mountain. On 12 March 1997, the base was stormed by local people during a national revolt against the Albanian government. Several buildings, including the control tower, were destroyed. On 16 March, soldiers abandoned the air base. Lack of funds prevented the base from being repaired, and flying operations ceased in 2000. It is now used as a storage facility for fighter aircraft withdrawn from service. No Albanian air force aircraft are permanently based there. Since that time underground shelter became a tomb for more than 70 aircrafts. Some part of them standing outside and some part inside. This is a big blast resistant doors constructed to close specific gate for aircrafts. Blast resistant doors in open position. Urbex tourism in Kyiv as the best way to explore the hidden places of the Ukrainian capital!   Additional tunnels with goes to commutator room. Walls of tunnel shelter covered inside by rubber sheets. All aircrafts are destroyed inside.   Deeper in the tunnel situated spare parts storage with a lot of reactive engines. There are even anti-aircraft machine guns. Old soviet military truck. All photo credits to Lana Sator