Plokštinė Cold War Museum

Plokštinės šaltojo karo muziejus

A former Soviet underground nuclear missile base hidden in the forest of Žemaitija National Park, now a fascinating Cold War museum. Visitors descend into the silos to learn about the region's secret military past.

Things to do

• Descend into a missile silo — Climb down into one of the four deep underground silos that once held R-12 Dvina medium-range nuclear missiles aimed at Western Europe.
• Tour the underground command bunkers — Walk the claustrophobic tunnels and control rooms where Soviet soldiers monitored and prepared missiles for launch.
• See the Cold War exhibitions — Explore displays of Soviet military hardware, uniforms, propaganda, and documents explaining the base's secret operation from 1962 to 1978.
• Take a guided tour — Join a guide who explains how the base was built, staffed, and kept hidden deep within the forest during the nuclear standoff.
• Walk the forest perimeter — Follow the surrounding trails of Žemaitija National Park to appreciate how the pine forest concealed this top-secret installation.
• Visit Plateliai Lake and town — Drive a few kilometers to the picturesque lakeside town of Plateliai, the cultural heart of the national park.
• Explore the Žemaitija National Park Visitor Center — Learn about the park's nature, ethnography, and the region's Shrovetide mask traditions in Plateliai.

Food to try

• Kastinys — A traditional Samogitian sour-cream butter dish, whisked warm and served with boiled potatoes, unique to this region.
• Cepelinai — Hearty zeppelin-shaped potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, topped with sour cream and bacon.
• Šaltibarščiai — Bright pink cold beetroot soup made with kefir, served with hot boiled potatoes on the side, ideal in summer.
• Kūčiukai and rye bread — Dense dark Lithuanian rye bread and small sweet poppy-seed pastries you can find in nearby Plateliai eateries.
• Smoked lake fish — Freshly smoked fish from Plateliai Lake, a local specialty sold around the town and park.
• Gira — A refreshing traditional fermented bread drink often served alongside Samogitian meals.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring warm clothing underground — The silos and bunkers stay cold and damp year-round, so wear a jacket even on hot summer days.
• Check opening hours and tour times — The museum operates seasonally with reduced winter hours, and underground access is usually by guided tour, so book or arrive early.
• Respect the somber history — This was a genuine nuclear launch site, so treat the exhibits and Cold War tensions they represent with appropriate seriousness.
• Combine with the national park — The museum sits deep in Žemaitija National Park, so bring good shoes and plan time for the forest, lake, and Plateliai's ethnographic sights.

Nearby

• Žemaitija National Park — 3 km
• Plateliai — 7 km
• Plungė — 11 km
• Žemaičių Kalvarija — 12 km