Soviet Ghost Towns in Latvia
Latvia, a Baltic state known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, also harbors multiple abandoned ghost towns. These towns, once thriving under Soviet rule, have been left to decay, offering a haunting glimpse into a bygone era. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the most interesting pieces of abandoned Soviet infrastructure in Latvia.
The Soviet Bunker
The Soviet Bunker in Latvia, located near the town of Ligatne, is a remarkable relic of the Cold War era. Hidden beneath an ordinary-looking building, this secret underground bunker was constructed in the 1980s to serve as a secure facility for the Soviet elite in the event of a nuclear attack. The bunker spans 2,000 square meters and is equipped with air filtration systems, communication rooms, and living quarters, all designed to sustain life for an extended period during a crisis.
Today, the bunker has been preserved as a museum, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the strategies and paranoia of the Soviet Union during one of the most tense periods in modern history. Read about previous intern Darcie’s trip to the Soviet Bunker here!
Image: Darcie Peters
Skrunda-1
Skrunda-1 is perhaps the most famous of Latvia’s ghost towns. Located in western Latvia, Skrunda-1 was a secret Soviet radar station, established in the 1960s as part of the USSR’s early warning system against potential missile attacks. The town was home to nearly 5,000 people, including military personnel and their families. It featured all the amenities of a typical town—schools, shops, and even a cultural center.
However, following Latvia’s independence in 1991 and the subsequent withdrawal of Russian troops in 1994, Skrunda-1 was abandoned. Today, the town is a haunting landscape of crumbling apartment blocks, rusting playgrounds, and overgrown streets.
Irbene
Irbene is another ghost town that played a significant role during the Cold War. Located near the Baltic Sea, Irbene housed a secret Soviet radio telescope, which was one of the largest in the world. The town was home to scientists and military personnel who worked on intercepting communications from Western countries.
With the fall of the Soviet Union, the town was abandoned, but the radio telescope, known as RT-32, remains. Today, it is operated by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre and is used for scientific research. Despite this, the town itself lies in ruins.
Karosta
Karosta, located in the city of Liepāja, was once a bustling military port under the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. The town was strategically important, housing thousands of soldiers and their families. Karosta was equipped with barracks, a hospital, and numerous military installations.
After the Soviet collapse, Karosta was largely abandoned, leaving behind a decaying military infrastructure. Today, visitors can explore the desolate naval prison, crumbling fortifications, and deserted residential areas.
Image: Poppy Nickson
