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Spy den uncovered in Solvenia

The Jama hotel has uncovered a spy den which was hidden away since the fall of Communism. For a long time, visitors and hotel staff were unaware of these windowless hidden rooms which were lying dormant in the bustling hotel.

Solvenia's Spy Hotel

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Published : Aug 12, 2019, 1:23 PM IST

Updated : Aug 12, 2019, 3:07 PM IST

Postojna:Take a trip to the famous Jama hotel in Solvenia to explore the secrets locked up behind the wall which proves that 'walls do have ears' and are also capable to peep at you.

The hotel has uncovered a spy den which was hidden away since the fall of Communism.

The device dated to the Communist era was used to closely monitor the locals and visitors.

For a long time, visitors and the hotel staff were unaware of these windowless hidden rooms which were lying dormant in the bustling hotel.

Old maps still lie on the dusty tables along with plastic cable phones and lamps. On the walls, buttons and black cables stand alongside switchboards used once to transfer calls or report enemy movement.

"This equipment here was used to coordinate certain actions, military actions, to collect the information from the field where maybe the enemy was coming or something like that and was also used to communicate between the top officials of the government, top politicians, civil protection and military. And this was the main reason for the existence of this equipment here," says Nikola Simic a retired expert for telecommunications.

Spy den uncovered in Solvenia

The region became a tourist hotspot due to the Postojna cave being located by the hotel.

According to the hotel CEO Marjan Batagelj, during the renovation, the workers discovered an unopened door which nobody wanted to open not even the national telecom operator. But later when they opened the door with a force at that moment they discovered an unknown world behind the door.

The world which was known for eavesdropping.

Importance of Postojna:

"Postojna was a strategic point for Yugoslavia. It was the easiest route from Western Europe to the East. Also, Postojna cave was the most visited site in Eastern Europe. Some statesmen visited Postojna cave, a lot of tourists, a lot of information was available," he added.

The State Security Administration of former Yugoslavia who was secret political police were using Postojna as a strategic location.

There were 7,000 soldiers placed around Postojna who used to collect all the intelligence information. Material evidence exists which is impossible to deny.

Slovenia who is now a European Union and NATO member was a part of the six members Communist-run Yugoslav federation until it gained independence in 1991. The Yugoslav secret police persecuted critics and political opponents during the Cold War era.

The Postojna cave is one of the most beautiful in the region and is one of Slovenia's main tourist attractions. Those who wish to see the hidden room are taken there in groups of 6 for a brief tour.

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Last Updated : Aug 12, 2019, 3:07 PM IST

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