Berlin confronts its past as Cold War bunkers are reconsidered for modern threats

After decades of peacetime reinvention, Berlin's former air-raid shelters may once again be eyed for their original purpose. The Financial Times reports that a new wave of anxiety over conflict is prompting the city to ask what would happen if it needed its bunkers back.

Following the Cold War, many of these public shelters were converted into venues for nightlife and culture. The Financial Times notes that they were "turned into nightclubs and galleries," symbolizing a shift from militarized defense to creative expression.

"What if Berlin needs its bunkers back?"

That question, posed by the outlet, now hangs over a city that had largely dismantled its civil defense infrastructure. The transformation reflected a broader European relief after the fall of the Soviet Union, but recent geopolitical tensions have revived discussions about readiness.

The Financial Times reports that "anxiety over conflict is growing again," driving renewed interest in whether these spaces could be restored to their original protective function. No official plans have been announced, but the shift in mood underscores how quickly peacetime certainties can fade.

For now, the bunkers remain sites of art and entertainment, but their future may depend on how seriously Berlin takes the prospect of needing them back. The Financial Times coverage captures a city caught between its history and an uncertain present.