World War II shelters can be practically found in every Maltese town or village – an unsurprising fact considering Malta’s huge involvement in the conflict.

Having said that, did you know that the rural town of Mgarr is home to its very own four-storey nuclear shelter?

That’s right! A certain Marco Cremona took to social media to share some stunning images of this shelter – and we’re awe-struck to say the least.

“One wouldn’t think that there would be a complete four-storey high / deep post-World War II industrial installation dug into a hill in the tranquil Mgarr countryside (the area known as Tal-Palma),” he wrote on social media.

Marco noted how the shelter was specifically designed and built to withstand a nuclear attack between 1950 and 1955.

The shelter, he continues, is also home to an “80 hp diesel engine which operates a flour mill, sieve and blowers.”

“Everything is driven by belts (not electricity); complete with a 1,000-tonne grain silo. Thankfully, this was never actually used,” he concluded.

Photos of the shelter show that the equipment remains in relatively good shape, especially when considering that it is around 70 years old.

Earlier this month, TVM News reported that there are another seven flour mills in Malta which were designed to shelter the nation in case of a nuclear attack.

“This flour mill was built in the 1950s, during the Cold War, a time when nuclear warfare was on the rise. It was built around 12 metres below ground and still features most of the original machinery, which would have been manned by 10 people,” The Curious Explorer – Revealing Malta wrote on Facebook.

“It is interesting to note that this particular flour mill was never put to use, but was kept in good shape by occasionally turning on the machines, just in case a nuclear attack ever took place,” the page continued.

Did you know about these structures?

Marco Cremona / Facebook