Albania. Vlorë County. Porto Palermo. Ionian Sea. Military area. Army video surveillance. Stop. No access. The underground submarine base was built in 1969 for vessels captured by Albania from the Soviet Navy. This happened when dictator Enver Hoxha expelled the Soviets from the country and kept their submarines. The 650-metre-long tunnel was dug into the rock to protect the submarines from possible air attack. The base is abandoned but still closed to the public. The government is now considering turning the tunnel into a Cold War museum. The base is located at the bay’s northern end, and the tunnel entrance portal can be viewed from a roadside vantage point. 3.10.2024 © 2024 Didier Ruef