Beneath the streets of Helsinki, a vast network of over 5,500 shelters has been carved into the bedrock, designed to accommodate nearly a million people in the event of a disaster. This extensive subterranean infrastructure can house a population greater than Helsinki's current 675,000 residents.
The construction of safety bunkers in Finland began in 1939, during the Winter War with the Soviet Union. Since 1954, legislation has mandated that all buildings exceeding 1,200 square meters must include an underground bomb shelter.
One of the largest facilities is the Merihaka shelter, completed in 2003. This 71,000-cubic-meter structure, comparable in volume to a seven-story office building, houses sports pitches, a gym, and a children's playground 25 meters underground. These facilities are actively used daily, allowing residents to acclimate to the environment. In an emergency, Merihaka can be equipped with bunk beds, water tanks, and portable toilets within 72 hours. Its entrance features double blast doors designed to withstand blast waves and protect against chemical, biological, and nuclear threats. The shelter has capacity for approximately 6,000 people.
Officials note that the sheer size of the blast doors presents logistical challenges. Jukka-Pekka Schroderus of the City Rescue Department explained that in critical situations, authorities might need to close the doors before everyone can enter, potentially leaving some individuals outside.
Merihaka is one of 48 large shelters in Helsinki, complemented by 5,500 smaller ones. Across the country, approximately 50,500 shelters have been built, a direct legacy of historical security concerns. Other shelters in the city are equipped with amenities such as Olympic-size swimming pools, saunas, Go-Kart tracks, skate parks, and archery centers. Some are even repurposed as rehearsal spaces for bands.
The operational concept for these large shelters is similar to that of a submarine, with one-third of the population resting, one-third engaged in activities, and one-third on duty for maintenance. The lack of external water, air, or sewage systems presents significant practical challenges. Each person is allocated 50 liters of water, but food is not provided, as citizens are expected to bring a 72-hour survival kit, including food and medicine.
Finland's preparedness has attracted international attention, with delegations from governments and corporations, including Saudi Aramco, seeking to learn about shelter construction and maintenance. Resilience Center Finland, established in March, reports that Finland's security and defense exports are valued in the tens of billions of euros, with shelter sales contributing millions and showing significant growth potential.
Companies like Verona Shelters Group and Temet Group are experiencing high demand. Ilkka Kivisaari, CEO of Verona Shelters Group, cited strong interest from countries like Poland and Germany, as well as the Middle East. Juha Simola, CEO of Temet Group, noted inquiries from the Gulf region following recent regional events, with his company planning to establish a factory in the United Arab Emirates to build hundreds of shelters.
High-profile international figures, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have visited Merihaka. Representatives from Ukraine have expressed interest in replicating similar facilities.
Poland is also undertaking a significant overhaul of its own shelter infrastructure, allocating approximately $1.59 billion over the past two years for the reconstruction of collective defense facilities. The Polish interior ministry stated that their shelter system had seen no development since the mid-1990s. While Ukraine and Poland have introduced legislation mandating shelters in new buildings, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on private investment due to increased costs.
