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Narrator: A brutalist complex
with a volatile past
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Now lying forgotten
in the woods.
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00:00:10,411 --> 00:00:13,879
The most fascinating structures
are these round cylinders
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00:00:13,881 --> 00:00:17,349
With reinforced ribs
on the outside.
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00:00:17,351 --> 00:00:19,485
This was highly specialized.
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00:00:21,722 --> 00:00:24,390
Narrator:
Grand coastal defenses in ghana
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That speak of
a tortured history.
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00:00:27,094 --> 00:00:29,962
When you see the extent
of these fortifications,
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00:00:29,964 --> 00:00:33,866
How many there are and how
solidly they are constructed,
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00:00:33,868 --> 00:00:35,667
The first question
that comes to your mind is,
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00:00:35,669 --> 00:00:37,069
"why here?
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00:00:37,071 --> 00:00:40,506
What was so valuable?"
13
00:00:40,508 --> 00:00:43,175
Narrator: And a decaying giant
that once promised
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00:00:43,177 --> 00:00:46,712
To kickstart serbia's
industrial revolution.
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00:00:46,714 --> 00:00:49,681
It was supposed to symbolize
a new future for the country,
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00:00:49,683 --> 00:00:51,350
A new hope for the people,
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00:00:51,352 --> 00:00:53,118
But this specific site
would play a part
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00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:56,055
In the country's history
that no one could have foreseen.
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00:00:56,057 --> 00:01:03,295
♪
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00:01:03,297 --> 00:01:09,001
Narrator: Decaying relics,
ruins of lost worlds
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Forged through years of toil,
now haunted by the past,
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Their secrets
waiting to be revealed.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪
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00:01:30,357 --> 00:01:32,424
♪
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Deep in the forests
of western poland,
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Hidden from view,
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A peculiar group of buildings
extend across a vast site.
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♪
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Barratt: To start off,
you're just in the forest.
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But you begin to realize
that man has been here
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And left quite a mark.
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It begins with little things --
railway tracks,
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Odd bits and pieces,
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00:01:57,017 --> 00:01:59,485
But then, gradually,
it begins to reveal
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More and more buildings.
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00:02:01,522 --> 00:02:02,955
They're everywhere.
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00:02:02,957 --> 00:02:05,457
So, the buildings you first come
to just look like
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00:02:05,459 --> 00:02:07,392
Something out of a sci-fi movie.
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00:02:07,394 --> 00:02:10,829
They're these giant
concrete structures
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00:02:10,831 --> 00:02:12,264
That seem to be on these legs
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00:02:12,266 --> 00:02:15,234
That could come alive
at any time.
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00:02:15,236 --> 00:02:16,935
Barratt:
Very, very well-constructed,
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00:02:16,937 --> 00:02:18,804
But when you look down
from above,
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They're absolutely open
to the elements.
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00:02:20,674 --> 00:02:21,840
There's no roof.
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00:02:21,842 --> 00:02:24,643
It's clearly a very
unique structure.
49
00:02:24,645 --> 00:02:27,146
And then you turn a corner, and
there's a different building,
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More rectangular structure.
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00:02:29,550 --> 00:02:35,087
This is so abandoned, there's
very little that can tell you
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00:02:35,089 --> 00:02:37,022
What the purpose of this was
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00:02:37,024 --> 00:02:40,626
Except that some kind of
industrial enterprise was here,
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00:02:40,628 --> 00:02:43,629
But you can't tell what it was.
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00:02:43,631 --> 00:02:47,699
Narrator: Venturing deeper into
the forest reveals more clues
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00:02:47,701 --> 00:02:51,236
But adds to the confusion
surrounding the site's story.
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00:02:51,238 --> 00:02:53,539
There are these big open basins,
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00:02:53,541 --> 00:02:56,141
And they look corroded
in some kind of way,
59
00:02:56,143 --> 00:02:58,544
And there's channels
leading from them,
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00:02:58,546 --> 00:03:02,981
So there was action not just
above ground, but also below.
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00:03:02,983 --> 00:03:06,251
Narrator:
While the original use of this
place may be hidden,
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00:03:06,253 --> 00:03:09,121
One thing is clear.
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00:03:09,123 --> 00:03:13,759
This is a complex of buildings
that shouldn't be in a forest.
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00:03:13,761 --> 00:03:16,495
This is an urban kind
of complex.
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00:03:16,497 --> 00:03:19,231
There's something secretive
and special
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00:03:19,233 --> 00:03:20,299
That's going on here,
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00:03:20,301 --> 00:03:23,068
And some people
have put a lot of effort
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00:03:23,070 --> 00:03:27,573
To hide this
very substantial complex away.
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00:03:27,575 --> 00:03:32,377
♪
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00:03:32,379 --> 00:03:34,813
Narrator:
Radoslaw domke is a historian
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00:03:34,815 --> 00:03:38,217
From the nearby university
of zielona gora.
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00:03:46,727 --> 00:03:50,495
Radoslaw has been researching
the buildings here for years,
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00:03:50,497 --> 00:03:53,332
Trying to uncover
the mysteries they hold
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00:03:53,334 --> 00:03:54,766
And what they were used for.
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00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:22,794
The distinctive design
of this structure
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00:04:22,796 --> 00:04:25,964
Actually betrays
the purpose of the site.
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00:04:25,966 --> 00:04:30,369
It was a vast explosives
manufacturing enterprise,
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00:04:30,371 --> 00:04:33,872
And this feature was
at the heart of the action.
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00:04:59,933 --> 00:05:03,101
These are not small silos.
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00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:06,638
The space is utterly vast,
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00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,674
Which is mind-boggling
at the moment,
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00:05:08,676 --> 00:05:11,209
But it's even more mind-boggling
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To think that this vast space
was full of explosives.
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Narrator: Beyond the silos,
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00:05:18,419 --> 00:05:22,087
Every feature and even
the layout of the whole site
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00:05:22,089 --> 00:05:24,990
Took into account
the very real possibility
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00:05:24,992 --> 00:05:28,193
Of an accident
occurring in this line of work.
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00:05:28,195 --> 00:05:32,030
Obviously, making explosives
is not without its dangers,
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00:05:32,032 --> 00:05:33,999
So it makes perfect sense
90
00:05:34,001 --> 00:05:36,101
That you're going to locate
a munitions factory
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00:05:36,103 --> 00:05:38,003
Far away from towns
and villages,
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00:05:38,005 --> 00:05:39,338
But not only that,
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00:05:39,340 --> 00:05:42,107
You're going to put the separate
elements of the factory
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00:05:42,109 --> 00:05:43,842
Far apart.
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Barratt: The chemicals needed
to make munitions
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00:05:45,346 --> 00:05:46,912
Are highly reactive.
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00:05:46,914 --> 00:05:48,280
They're designed to explode,
98
00:05:48,282 --> 00:05:49,648
But, of course,
in their raw state,
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00:05:49,650 --> 00:05:52,851
In their early state,
they're really hard to control.
100
00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:57,255
Moving this highly unstable
material from place to place,
101
00:05:57,257 --> 00:05:59,291
You want it to be as smooth
as possible,
102
00:05:59,293 --> 00:06:03,261
And the railway lines
are the best way to do that.
103
00:06:03,263 --> 00:06:06,064
Narrator: But a few
key questions remain.
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00:06:06,066 --> 00:06:10,802
Who was manufacturing explosives
on such a vast scale,
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00:06:10,804 --> 00:06:13,839
And why did they want
to keep it so secret?
106
00:06:13,841 --> 00:06:17,209
The origins of this place
are cemented firmly
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00:06:17,211 --> 00:06:19,745
In some of europe's
darkest days --
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00:06:19,747 --> 00:06:22,948
During the second world war.
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00:06:22,950 --> 00:06:26,852
Corum: Hitler had these very
ambitious plans
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00:06:26,854 --> 00:06:30,722
To have this huge production
of explosives
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00:06:30,724 --> 00:06:34,526
And huge production of
munitions for the german reich.
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00:06:34,528 --> 00:06:36,461
Once the war begins
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00:06:36,463 --> 00:06:40,298
And the germans
have seized poland,
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00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:42,300
Now they can actually create
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00:06:42,302 --> 00:06:46,138
This new system
of industrial enterprises.
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00:06:46,140 --> 00:06:48,874
Narrator: This was one of
his centerpieces --
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The christianstadt
dynamite factory.
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00:06:51,779 --> 00:06:55,814
It was originally owned by dag,
a company that was founded
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00:06:55,816 --> 00:06:58,483
By the inventor
of dynamite himself,
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00:06:58,485 --> 00:07:00,452
Alfred nobel.
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00:07:00,454 --> 00:07:04,322
It covers an area of over
1,000 football fields,
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00:07:04,324 --> 00:07:07,993
And it had its own power plant
and railway system.
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00:07:07,995 --> 00:07:14,266
At its peak, it was producing
6,737 tons of explosives
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00:07:14,268 --> 00:07:16,435
Per month.
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00:07:16,437 --> 00:07:18,703
The things that they were making
at this factory
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00:07:18,705 --> 00:07:20,305
Are mind-boggling.
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00:07:20,307 --> 00:07:22,607
There's evidence that
they were making rdx,
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00:07:22,609 --> 00:07:25,677
Which is more explosive
than tnt.
129
00:07:25,679 --> 00:07:28,747
This baby goes boom,
130
00:07:28,749 --> 00:07:32,684
And you have got so much
of it being stored.
131
00:07:32,686 --> 00:07:36,354
And, also, there's suspicion
that they made nitroglycerin.
132
00:07:36,356 --> 00:07:37,689
Now, nitroglycerin is one
of the most
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00:07:37,691 --> 00:07:39,758
Explosive chemicals there is.
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00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:44,496
I've only ever seen it in tiny
vials, let alone giant vats.
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00:07:44,498 --> 00:07:47,299
Narrator:The scale of
the nazis' aims for this site
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00:07:47,301 --> 00:07:49,134
May have been frightening,
137
00:07:49,136 --> 00:07:52,571
But there was an even darker
side to this operation.
138
00:07:52,573 --> 00:07:55,674
Making ammunitions
is dangerous work,
139
00:07:55,676 --> 00:07:57,242
So you would think
the people making it
140
00:07:57,244 --> 00:07:58,643
Would be highly trained
professionals
141
00:07:58,645 --> 00:08:00,579
With years of experience, right?
142
00:08:00,581 --> 00:08:01,613
No.
143
00:08:01,615 --> 00:08:04,082
Here, you've got forced labor,
144
00:08:04,084 --> 00:08:06,485
So these are ordinary people,
prisoners of war.
145
00:08:06,487 --> 00:08:10,121
They were made to make
these ammunitions
146
00:08:10,123 --> 00:08:14,459
That were then potentially going
to be used on their own people.
147
00:08:14,461 --> 00:08:16,661
Narrator:
For those forced to work here,
148
00:08:16,663 --> 00:08:19,097
Life was close to unbearable.
149
00:08:41,622 --> 00:08:45,457
If somebody tried to escape,
if somebody tried any defiance,
150
00:08:45,459 --> 00:08:48,894
They could be executed on the
spot without any difficulty,
151
00:08:48,896 --> 00:08:52,464
And you'd just simply
get another slave laborer.
152
00:08:52,466 --> 00:08:55,667
Narrator: The nazis designed
and ran this facility
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00:08:55,669 --> 00:08:59,604
To be a super efficient
manufacturing mega site,
154
00:08:59,606 --> 00:09:02,007
But despite
their ruthless approach,
155
00:09:02,009 --> 00:09:04,876
There were some things
the nazis couldn't control,
156
00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:08,613
As was proven
one early morning in 1944.
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00:09:10,751 --> 00:09:13,184
Barratt:
Very little documentation
about this site survives,
158
00:09:13,186 --> 00:09:17,155
But one fact we do know was
there was a massive explosion,
159
00:09:17,157 --> 00:09:20,425
Which, given the war,
makes you think about sabotage.
160
00:09:22,896 --> 00:09:25,797
Narrator: So, just who was
behind this plot,
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00:09:25,799 --> 00:09:29,467
And would it spell the end
for the nazis' dynamite factory?
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00:09:29,469 --> 00:09:32,170
♪
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00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:40,912
♪
164
00:09:40,914 --> 00:09:42,948
Narrator:
Today, in western poland,
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00:09:42,950 --> 00:09:47,252
The strange concrete edifices
of the nazis' dynamite factory
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00:09:47,254 --> 00:09:50,121
Stand silently
amongst the trees,
167
00:09:50,123 --> 00:09:52,857
But on one morning in 1944,
168
00:09:52,859 --> 00:09:55,160
An explosion here
sent shock waves
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00:09:55,162 --> 00:09:56,928
Tearing through the facility.
170
00:09:58,799 --> 00:10:00,732
Barratt: It was
before the workers started,
171
00:10:00,734 --> 00:10:04,202
And it only hit
some of the key buildings.
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00:10:04,204 --> 00:10:06,271
We may never know
what actually happened here,
173
00:10:06,273 --> 00:10:08,006
But with a forced workforce
174
00:10:08,008 --> 00:10:10,909
And active polish resistance
in the area --
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00:10:10,911 --> 00:10:12,844
If you put two
and two together from that,
176
00:10:12,846 --> 00:10:14,546
You get an inside job,
177
00:10:14,548 --> 00:10:17,716
And that's what led
to this act of sabotage,
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00:10:17,718 --> 00:10:18,817
These explosions
179
00:10:18,819 --> 00:10:20,118
And bringing about a stop
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00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,854
To the manufacture
of weapons here.
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00:10:22,856 --> 00:10:28,026
Narrator: Reports suggest
that across 1944 and 1945,
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00:10:28,028 --> 00:10:30,862
Three separate
and suspicious explosions here
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00:10:30,864 --> 00:10:33,732
Caused major damage to the site.
184
00:10:33,734 --> 00:10:35,967
But when the war ended,
185
00:10:35,969 --> 00:10:38,770
The nazis destroyed most
of the documentation
186
00:10:38,772 --> 00:10:40,739
Detailing both the events
187
00:10:40,741 --> 00:10:44,309
And the true capabilities
of this site.
188
00:10:44,311 --> 00:10:47,846
The remaining items of value
were looted by the russians,
189
00:10:47,848 --> 00:10:50,849
And eventually, the buildings
were left to be taken over
190
00:10:50,851 --> 00:10:52,851
By the forest.
191
00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:57,155
♪
192
00:10:57,157 --> 00:11:00,625
Today, it is park land,
open to the public,
193
00:11:00,627 --> 00:11:03,395
But very few visitors
know of the secrets
194
00:11:03,397 --> 00:11:04,763
These buildings hold.
195
00:11:34,728 --> 00:11:42,000
♪
196
00:11:42,002 --> 00:11:44,202
Near the east coast of florida,
197
00:11:44,204 --> 00:11:47,005
Beneath an innocuous-looking
mound of earth,
198
00:11:47,007 --> 00:11:49,207
Is a forgotten relic.
199
00:11:53,213 --> 00:11:56,180
Just off a freeway and hidden
amongst the trees,
200
00:11:56,182 --> 00:11:58,483
You've got this
sort of stepped white wall
201
00:11:58,485 --> 00:12:01,753
Leading to just quite
a plain white door.
202
00:12:01,755 --> 00:12:03,988
You realize, maybe that door
203
00:12:03,990 --> 00:12:08,326
Is hiding something
quite intriguing.
204
00:12:08,328 --> 00:12:10,161
You've got this thick
concrete wall.
205
00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:11,996
Then on top of this low,
little hill,
206
00:12:11,998 --> 00:12:14,165
You have these various
ventilation shafts.
207
00:12:14,167 --> 00:12:16,034
There's something under here,
208
00:12:16,036 --> 00:12:18,570
Something that was important
at one time,
209
00:12:18,572 --> 00:12:22,440
But, today, there's no sign
of what that was.
210
00:12:22,442 --> 00:12:25,276
Narrator: Inside,
the mystery deepens.
211
00:12:25,278 --> 00:12:27,612
You go through
the big steel doors.
212
00:12:27,614 --> 00:12:30,281
You're met with a second
security zone,
213
00:12:30,283 --> 00:12:33,017
Like a decontamination chamber.
214
00:12:33,019 --> 00:12:37,222
Whatever was in here,
it certainly meant business.
215
00:12:37,224 --> 00:12:38,957
One thing that's really
striking here is,
216
00:12:38,959 --> 00:12:41,059
The whole thing is built
with these large steel beams.
217
00:12:41,061 --> 00:12:42,727
They look strong enough
to support
218
00:12:42,729 --> 00:12:44,329
A skyscraper or a stadium,
219
00:12:44,331 --> 00:12:49,200
And yet, all that's above
this is just a grassy mound.
220
00:12:49,202 --> 00:12:51,803
Narrator:
The level of structural
protection here, though,
221
00:12:51,805 --> 00:12:55,473
Suggests this wasn't all
about what was on the outside,
222
00:12:55,475 --> 00:12:58,810
But what was once
kept on the inside.
223
00:12:58,812 --> 00:13:02,046
Just this vast,
cavernous chamber
224
00:13:02,048 --> 00:13:04,115
That echoes with every footfall
225
00:13:04,117 --> 00:13:08,653
And clearly meant to house
something really important.
226
00:13:08,655 --> 00:13:12,924
Narrator: What was this place
built to hide and from whom?
227
00:13:15,028 --> 00:13:17,896
Located near to the
kennedy space center,
228
00:13:17,898 --> 00:13:20,398
This site dates to a time
when the space race
229
00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:23,168
Wasn't the only
battle being fought
230
00:13:23,170 --> 00:13:25,770
And the threat of mass
annihilation back on earth
231
00:13:25,772 --> 00:13:28,039
Was very real.
232
00:13:28,041 --> 00:13:31,676
This bunker was built in 1967,
the height of the cold war.
233
00:13:31,678 --> 00:13:35,013
Florida might not seem
like a military center,
234
00:13:35,015 --> 00:13:37,182
But it was close to cuba,
which is an area
235
00:13:37,184 --> 00:13:40,151
That we always worried
might have nuclear weapons,
236
00:13:40,153 --> 00:13:42,420
And, of course,
in the cuban missile crisis,
237
00:13:42,422 --> 00:13:44,255
That was all about
trying to get russia
238
00:13:44,257 --> 00:13:46,658
To remove nuclear weapons
from cuba.
239
00:13:46,660 --> 00:13:50,395
What's interesting about
this bunker is its orientation
240
00:13:50,397 --> 00:13:54,265
'cause if you expand
to look at the larger area,
241
00:13:54,267 --> 00:13:56,734
You'll notice that
the main entrance
242
00:13:56,736 --> 00:13:58,903
And the exposed part
of the bunker
243
00:13:58,905 --> 00:14:02,707
Is facing away
from the kennedy center.
244
00:14:02,709 --> 00:14:06,344
Now, the reason for this is,
if there was any attack,
245
00:14:06,346 --> 00:14:09,080
The kennedy center
is the most likely location,
246
00:14:09,082 --> 00:14:10,949
So if you face away from it,
247
00:14:10,951 --> 00:14:14,419
You're going to be
better protected.
248
00:14:14,421 --> 00:14:16,855
Narrator: The orientation
of the site, however,
249
00:14:16,857 --> 00:14:19,123
Was just the start.
250
00:14:19,125 --> 00:14:21,893
The level of protection built
into the fabric of this place
251
00:14:21,895 --> 00:14:24,395
Was second to none.
252
00:14:24,397 --> 00:14:27,632
Mark oxley is an expert
on the history of the site.
253
00:14:30,503 --> 00:14:34,839
So, this isn't your normal
nuclear fallout bunker.
254
00:14:34,841 --> 00:14:37,242
This is actually something
a little bit different.
255
00:14:37,244 --> 00:14:39,143
It was hardened to such a degree
256
00:14:39,145 --> 00:14:42,113
That the outside walls
are 18 inches thick,
257
00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:45,550
But some of the interior walls
go as thick as 48 inches.
258
00:14:45,552 --> 00:14:49,020
The foundation was also
9 feet thick.
259
00:14:49,022 --> 00:14:52,290
Narrator:
But this wasn't built to protect
high-ranking officials.
260
00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:55,793
The heavy use of metal in
the structure gives this away.
261
00:14:55,795 --> 00:14:58,796
This was designed
for something else.
262
00:14:58,798 --> 00:15:01,399
But what you'll notice
is right up here.
263
00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:03,635
This was actually one of at&t's
264
00:15:03,637 --> 00:15:07,805
And the department of defense's
communications bunkers.
265
00:15:07,807 --> 00:15:11,142
The goal of this bunker was to
keep the hardened communications
266
00:15:11,144 --> 00:15:13,645
Of both the at&t long-distance
long lines
267
00:15:13,647 --> 00:15:16,648
As well as
the military's autovon network
268
00:15:16,650 --> 00:15:19,884
Secure in case of nuclear war.
269
00:15:19,886 --> 00:15:23,454
Narrator: In the aftermath of a
nuclear attack, it was predicted
270
00:15:23,456 --> 00:15:26,224
That citizens would swamp
the telephone exchange
271
00:15:26,226 --> 00:15:29,193
As they tried
to reach loved ones,
272
00:15:29,195 --> 00:15:31,796
But the military would need
guaranteed open lines
273
00:15:31,798 --> 00:15:34,065
To coordinate their response.
274
00:15:34,067 --> 00:15:35,867
This was where
the autovon network
275
00:15:35,869 --> 00:15:38,770
And its priority status
would come in.
276
00:15:38,772 --> 00:15:41,539
The autovon network ran parallel
277
00:15:41,541 --> 00:15:43,942
To the normal
communications network.
278
00:15:43,944 --> 00:15:46,344
This was a way for the defense
department
279
00:15:46,346 --> 00:15:47,745
And the executive branch
280
00:15:47,747 --> 00:15:52,250
To maintain communication
between key defense agencies
281
00:15:52,252 --> 00:15:56,087
And key military assets
during a crisis.
282
00:15:56,089 --> 00:15:58,356
Narrator: This bunker was one
small piece
283
00:15:58,358 --> 00:16:00,692
Of a much larger puzzle.
284
00:16:00,694 --> 00:16:02,994
So, there are these bunkers
scattered around
285
00:16:02,996 --> 00:16:04,729
The united states
from coast to coast,
286
00:16:04,731 --> 00:16:07,265
And they're all, like, 75,
100 miles apart
287
00:16:07,267 --> 00:16:09,867
In this intricate web
around the country.
288
00:16:09,869 --> 00:16:12,437
Meigs: At&t actually built three
different kinds of bunkers.
289
00:16:12,439 --> 00:16:15,707
One type was full of
communications equipment.
290
00:16:15,709 --> 00:16:18,676
Another type had
power-generating equipment,
291
00:16:18,678 --> 00:16:20,812
And the third type
had microwave equipment.
292
00:16:20,814 --> 00:16:22,080
A microwave link
293
00:16:22,082 --> 00:16:24,849
Can send telephone data
across the open air
294
00:16:24,851 --> 00:16:26,584
Without having to be connected
by wires,
295
00:16:26,586 --> 00:16:28,619
So you can imagine
how that could be very valuable
296
00:16:28,621 --> 00:16:31,089
In the aftermath of a war.
297
00:16:31,091 --> 00:16:32,690
Narrator:
A nuclear explosion
298
00:16:32,692 --> 00:16:35,393
Would create
an incredibly destructive force
299
00:16:35,395 --> 00:16:37,028
Sweeping over the land.
300
00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:38,997
However, the explosive blast
301
00:16:38,999 --> 00:16:42,500
Wasn't the real danger
for a place like this.
302
00:16:42,502 --> 00:16:45,670
That would have been the ensuing
electromagnetic pulse
303
00:16:45,672 --> 00:16:47,739
That would have wiped out
electrical equipment
304
00:16:47,741 --> 00:16:49,374
For miles around.
305
00:16:53,580 --> 00:16:57,248
So, how was this place built
to endure that storm,
306
00:16:57,250 --> 00:17:00,752
And how would the site's
operators survive down here
307
00:17:00,754 --> 00:17:02,720
In the aftermath?
308
00:17:05,091 --> 00:17:13,231
♪
309
00:17:13,233 --> 00:17:16,167
Narrator: Near the kennedy
space center in florida
310
00:17:16,169 --> 00:17:19,604
Is a nuclear bunker
that once held vital equipment
311
00:17:19,606 --> 00:17:22,006
For keeping military lines
of communication
312
00:17:22,008 --> 00:17:25,009
Open in the event of an attack,
313
00:17:25,011 --> 00:17:28,246
But to do this,
it had to be able to endure
314
00:17:28,248 --> 00:17:31,849
The effects
of an electromagnetic pulse.
315
00:17:33,820 --> 00:17:35,686
Meigs:
Being inside the structure
316
00:17:35,688 --> 00:17:38,489
Is kind of like being
inside of a steel cage,
317
00:17:38,491 --> 00:17:42,160
And that's important because one
of the risks of a nuclear war
318
00:17:42,162 --> 00:17:44,796
Is that when a nuclear weapon
goes off in the atmosphere,
319
00:17:44,798 --> 00:17:46,964
It sends out
this bolt of electricity
320
00:17:46,966 --> 00:17:50,468
That could destroy electronics
for hundreds of miles away,
321
00:17:50,470 --> 00:17:53,738
So if you want to protect your
sensitive electrical equipment,
322
00:17:53,740 --> 00:17:57,842
You want to put it inside
a cage of metal, a faraday cage,
323
00:17:57,844 --> 00:18:00,278
And that's exactly
what they did here.
324
00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:01,579
Scott: A faraday cage --
325
00:18:01,581 --> 00:18:04,115
It can be something
as simple as chicken wire.
326
00:18:04,117 --> 00:18:08,319
It's just a metal mesh,
and what it does is,
327
00:18:08,321 --> 00:18:11,556
It basically neutralizes
electrical charges,
328
00:18:11,558 --> 00:18:13,858
So, inside of the bunker,
329
00:18:13,860 --> 00:18:16,627
You'll have your people
or any equipment,
330
00:18:16,629 --> 00:18:20,064
And all of that is protected
from anything else
331
00:18:20,066 --> 00:18:22,967
That would be going on outside.
332
00:18:22,969 --> 00:18:26,237
Narrator:
While shielding the equipment
was the purpose of this site,
333
00:18:26,239 --> 00:18:27,572
It would all be for nothing
334
00:18:27,574 --> 00:18:29,807
If there was no one left
to operate it,
335
00:18:29,809 --> 00:18:32,844
So these bunkers were designed
to be habitable
336
00:18:32,846 --> 00:18:35,713
Even in the event
of a nuclear attack.
337
00:18:35,715 --> 00:18:39,417
There were large cans of
powdered butter, powdered eggs,
338
00:18:39,419 --> 00:18:42,386
Spaghetti, meat sauce --
I mean, all kinds of things,
339
00:18:42,388 --> 00:18:44,755
And those were meant
to sustain five people,
340
00:18:44,757 --> 00:18:50,161
Five workers within this
facility, for 30 days, 24/7.
341
00:18:50,163 --> 00:18:53,464
Narrator: If an attack happened,
they would go into lockdown
342
00:18:53,466 --> 00:18:56,734
Until they were notified
it was safe to go outside.
343
00:18:56,736 --> 00:19:01,172
♪
344
00:19:01,174 --> 00:19:03,474
So, this is one
of the radiation detectors.
345
00:19:03,476 --> 00:19:06,010
Basically, these are planted
all around the facility,
346
00:19:06,012 --> 00:19:08,546
Both on top of the facility
and below the facility.
347
00:19:08,548 --> 00:19:10,715
They were meant to detect
gamma radiation,
348
00:19:10,717 --> 00:19:13,718
So in case of a nuclear strike
or nuclear event in the area,
349
00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:15,119
This would basically send
a signal
350
00:19:15,121 --> 00:19:16,754
To the remote monitoring station
351
00:19:16,756 --> 00:19:19,524
And automatically close all
the blast doors in the facility
352
00:19:19,526 --> 00:19:21,759
And turn the carbon
air filtration systems on
353
00:19:21,761 --> 00:19:23,327
To ensure that the air quality
354
00:19:23,329 --> 00:19:25,630
Was preserved
inside the facility.
355
00:19:25,632 --> 00:19:27,532
Narrator:
Once the blast doors were down,
356
00:19:27,534 --> 00:19:30,067
Access in and out
of the facility
357
00:19:30,069 --> 00:19:32,103
Was strictly controlled.
358
00:19:34,974 --> 00:19:37,875
So, if you had entered after
a radioactive event,
359
00:19:37,877 --> 00:19:40,278
There would be these massive
lead-lined doors
360
00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,613
Blocking your entrance
into the facility,
361
00:19:42,615 --> 00:19:44,048
So, what you'd have to do is,
362
00:19:44,050 --> 00:19:45,917
You would be
in your decontamination suit,
363
00:19:45,919 --> 00:19:47,118
And you'd be entering
364
00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:49,587
What is known
as the decontamination shower.
365
00:19:49,589 --> 00:19:51,556
This is where
you would rinse off
366
00:19:51,558 --> 00:19:53,925
All of the radioactive particles
that were on you
367
00:19:53,927 --> 00:19:55,793
So that you wouldn't
be traipsing them
368
00:19:55,795 --> 00:19:57,828
Into the main clean environment.
369
00:19:57,830 --> 00:19:59,197
That was critical
370
00:19:59,199 --> 00:20:02,433
To ensure that everybody
who was inside stayed alive.
371
00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:08,406
Meigs: Imagine the job that
these people were asked to do.
372
00:20:08,408 --> 00:20:10,374
You go, and you live
in this bunker.
373
00:20:10,376 --> 00:20:12,243
You're waiting for a nuclear war
374
00:20:12,245 --> 00:20:14,145
You desperately hope
would never happen.
375
00:20:14,147 --> 00:20:16,080
If it did happen,
you would have to wonder,
376
00:20:16,082 --> 00:20:18,983
Was your family and everyone
you know wiped out?
377
00:20:18,985 --> 00:20:22,320
Meanwhile, you've got this
difficult task to perform,
378
00:20:22,322 --> 00:20:25,223
And they were expected
to stay on that station
379
00:20:25,225 --> 00:20:26,624
And run these communications
380
00:20:26,626 --> 00:20:31,896
For up to a month
after any potential conflict.
381
00:20:31,898 --> 00:20:34,165
Narrator:
Fortunately for the men inside,
382
00:20:34,167 --> 00:20:37,335
They never faced
such a situation,
383
00:20:37,337 --> 00:20:40,404
And in 1979,
with a new and improved system
384
00:20:40,406 --> 00:20:42,740
Being rolled out
across the country,
385
00:20:42,742 --> 00:20:46,611
The military abandoned
these bunkers for good.
386
00:20:46,613 --> 00:20:50,448
Today, a new use has been found
for this bomb-proof bunker.
387
00:20:50,450 --> 00:20:53,751
Mark is calling it
back into action.
388
00:20:53,753 --> 00:20:55,786
Oxley: Well, everything today
is internet-based.
389
00:20:55,788 --> 00:20:57,688
The internet of things
is everywhere.
390
00:20:57,690 --> 00:21:01,993
Everybody relies on their cell
phones heavily, gps navigation.
391
00:21:01,995 --> 00:21:04,228
It has to be processed
where there's a lot of power
392
00:21:04,230 --> 00:21:05,663
And a lot of processors,
393
00:21:05,665 --> 00:21:08,366
And that would happen
in a data center like this one.
394
00:21:08,368 --> 00:21:11,002
Narrator: Now cleared out,
this bunker is being prepped
395
00:21:11,004 --> 00:21:12,737
For that next stage of its life
396
00:21:12,739 --> 00:21:16,340
As a place to securely store
row upon row of servers,
397
00:21:16,342 --> 00:21:18,175
And with hacking,
climate change,
398
00:21:18,177 --> 00:21:19,877
Or even nuclear conflict
399
00:21:19,879 --> 00:21:21,979
All potential challenges
in the future,
400
00:21:21,981 --> 00:21:24,949
Old or new, it's not
the only one of its kind
401
00:21:24,951 --> 00:21:26,617
Being made ready.
402
00:21:26,619 --> 00:21:30,421
This cold war relic
is now being imitated
403
00:21:30,423 --> 00:21:33,658
All around the world
among america's peer adversaries
404
00:21:33,660 --> 00:21:35,593
In order to secure their data
405
00:21:35,595 --> 00:21:37,094
From anything
that might bring down
406
00:21:37,096 --> 00:21:38,796
A vitally important network
407
00:21:38,798 --> 00:21:42,099
And compromise
the security of the state.
408
00:21:42,101 --> 00:21:47,004
♪
409
00:21:47,006 --> 00:21:49,807
Narrator: Along the stunning
coastline of ghana
410
00:21:49,809 --> 00:21:51,942
Are a number
of striking buildings
411
00:21:51,944 --> 00:21:53,844
That dominate
their surroundings.
412
00:21:53,846 --> 00:22:00,217
♪
413
00:22:00,219 --> 00:22:02,953
Bell: There are these enormous
white buildings
414
00:22:02,955 --> 00:22:05,156
Set high above the coastline.
415
00:22:05,158 --> 00:22:06,824
They're almost like palaces
416
00:22:06,826 --> 00:22:10,795
With elaborate staircases,
plazas, and archways.
417
00:22:10,797 --> 00:22:12,997
They're hugely impressive.
418
00:22:12,999 --> 00:22:14,165
Auerbach:
As you go up the coast,
419
00:22:14,167 --> 00:22:16,434
You see there is more than
one of these
420
00:22:16,436 --> 00:22:18,235
Rising from the cliff faces.
421
00:22:18,237 --> 00:22:20,237
Some of them
are just rubble now,
422
00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:21,772
But others are
in pretty good shape.
423
00:22:21,774 --> 00:22:23,708
They were built to last.
424
00:22:23,710 --> 00:22:25,476
When you get closer
to the buildings,
425
00:22:25,478 --> 00:22:26,911
It's clear that these buildings
426
00:22:26,913 --> 00:22:28,779
Were built
for defensive purposes,
427
00:22:28,781 --> 00:22:30,614
But it's not only
how they're positioned.
428
00:22:30,616 --> 00:22:31,649
It's the canons.
429
00:22:31,651 --> 00:22:34,251
It's the firepower.
430
00:22:34,253 --> 00:22:36,320
Narrator: But behind
the imposing walls
431
00:22:36,322 --> 00:22:39,790
Are scenes that paint
a confusing picture.
432
00:22:39,792 --> 00:22:41,258
Auerbach: The deeper one goes
into the building,
433
00:22:41,260 --> 00:22:42,827
The more one finds
434
00:22:42,829 --> 00:22:46,297
There's a whole hidden world
right under the surface.
435
00:22:46,299 --> 00:22:48,866
Bell: The darkness
is all-consuming.
436
00:22:48,868 --> 00:22:51,335
The air is thick and heavy.
437
00:22:51,337 --> 00:22:53,671
Damp and decay is all around.
438
00:22:53,673 --> 00:22:56,207
Shackles rattle on the walls,
439
00:22:56,209 --> 00:23:00,878
And thick, steel doors
cover tiny enclaves.
440
00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:02,346
Auerbach:
It's such an odd place.
441
00:23:02,348 --> 00:23:06,784
The contrast is so enormous
between the floors above ground,
442
00:23:06,786 --> 00:23:09,720
The opulence of them,
the sense of space and light,
443
00:23:09,722 --> 00:23:13,224
The beautiful views
of the shore and the ocean,
444
00:23:13,226 --> 00:23:15,960
And then underground,
it's a veritable dungeon.
445
00:23:20,099 --> 00:23:23,033
Narrator: What were these
places designed for,
446
00:23:23,035 --> 00:23:26,470
And what secrets
do these dark cells contain?
447
00:23:26,472 --> 00:23:28,472
♪
448
00:23:30,109 --> 00:23:38,516
♪
449
00:23:38,518 --> 00:23:40,451
Narrator: In the 15th century,
450
00:23:40,453 --> 00:23:44,588
European seafaring traders
arrived on the shores of ghana,
451
00:23:44,590 --> 00:23:47,425
A step that would forever
alter the course of history
452
00:23:47,427 --> 00:23:50,394
In western africa.
453
00:23:50,396 --> 00:23:55,466
These white forts are the legacy
of that distant first landing.
454
00:23:55,468 --> 00:23:58,269
Bell: The first colonizers
were the portuguese --
455
00:23:58,271 --> 00:24:01,071
Southwestern europeans
with the knowledge,
456
00:24:01,073 --> 00:24:04,308
The experience,
and the national purpose
457
00:24:04,310 --> 00:24:06,343
To embark on the enterprise
458
00:24:06,345 --> 00:24:08,646
Of developing
oceanic trade routes
459
00:24:08,648 --> 00:24:10,815
With africa and asia.
460
00:24:10,817 --> 00:24:13,451
They come to find raw materials,
461
00:24:13,453 --> 00:24:19,623
But what they stumbled upon
was beyond their wildest dreams.
462
00:24:19,625 --> 00:24:22,126
Auerbach: The akan peoples
of the coast
463
00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:25,262
Had access to considerable
supplies of gold,
464
00:24:25,264 --> 00:24:28,232
And they were willing to trade
it to europeans for base metals,
465
00:24:28,234 --> 00:24:30,701
Textiles, and other
manufactured goods.
466
00:24:32,905 --> 00:24:35,806
Narrator: The coast became so
valuable that the portuguese
467
00:24:35,808 --> 00:24:39,577
Referred to it simply as mina,
the mine.
468
00:24:39,579 --> 00:24:44,448
The english more poetically
later named it the gold coast.
469
00:24:44,450 --> 00:24:45,649
Mitchell: The portuguese
were willing to do
470
00:24:45,651 --> 00:24:48,118
Whatever they could
to defend the gold,
471
00:24:48,120 --> 00:24:49,753
So they did whatever it took,
472
00:24:49,755 --> 00:24:53,557
Including building
these fortifications.
473
00:24:53,559 --> 00:24:59,296
Narrator:
These are ghana's coastal forts,
a string of imposing defenses
474
00:24:59,298 --> 00:25:03,167
Built by powerful
european empires.
475
00:25:03,169 --> 00:25:06,937
Alex kingsley okpei is
a local historian here.
476
00:25:30,363 --> 00:25:33,797
These forts were built
to be intimidating.
477
00:25:33,799 --> 00:25:36,901
Four outer towers formed
the batteries.
478
00:25:36,903 --> 00:25:39,703
Canons stretched
all along the front,
479
00:25:39,705 --> 00:25:44,374
And huge, towering walls
rose up from the rocks below.
480
00:25:44,376 --> 00:25:47,011
It would have been
a huge undertaking,
481
00:25:47,013 --> 00:25:51,315
But it was essential to keep
other european powers away
482
00:25:51,317 --> 00:25:54,885
And ensure that the local people
only sold their gold
483
00:25:54,887 --> 00:25:58,589
To agents
of the portuguese crown.
484
00:25:58,591 --> 00:26:00,024
Auerbach:
These forts accomplished
485
00:26:00,026 --> 00:26:02,359
Exactly what they were
designed to.
486
00:26:02,361 --> 00:26:05,129
We know from records that,
up to 1550,
487
00:26:05,131 --> 00:26:06,564
The portuguese were getting
488
00:26:06,566 --> 00:26:10,100
Up to 12,400 ounces
of gold annually,
489
00:26:10,102 --> 00:26:12,570
Which was a sizable proportion
of gold
490
00:26:12,572 --> 00:26:14,805
Coming into europe at the time.
491
00:26:16,842 --> 00:26:19,743
Narrator: But soon,
other european powers
492
00:26:19,745 --> 00:26:22,613
Would try to muscle in
on the act.
493
00:26:22,615 --> 00:26:24,381
The portuguese had something
494
00:26:24,383 --> 00:26:29,587
That many others
desperately wanted a part of.
495
00:26:29,589 --> 00:26:33,691
The netherlands, Spain,
England, France --
496
00:26:33,693 --> 00:26:35,492
They all coveted the wealth
497
00:26:35,494 --> 00:26:37,294
That was pouring out
of the gold coast,
498
00:26:37,296 --> 00:26:39,163
And they were willing
to fight tooth and nail
499
00:26:39,165 --> 00:26:41,298
To get their hands
on their share of it.
500
00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:42,933
Bell: By the 17th century,
501
00:26:42,935 --> 00:26:45,836
The portuguese couldn't
fight them off anymore,
502
00:26:45,838 --> 00:26:48,739
And their domination
came to an end.
503
00:26:48,741 --> 00:26:51,041
With the market now open to all,
504
00:26:51,043 --> 00:26:53,611
Different nations
built their own forts
505
00:26:53,613 --> 00:26:57,748
And battled to protect trade
in their area.
506
00:26:57,750 --> 00:27:02,353
In total, there were around
40 forts along this coastline,
507
00:27:02,355 --> 00:27:04,555
Owned by different nations.
508
00:27:04,557 --> 00:27:08,392
They stretched
for more than 300 miles.
509
00:27:08,394 --> 00:27:10,761
Narrator: The trade
these forts were protecting
510
00:27:10,763 --> 00:27:12,896
Was also now changing,
511
00:27:12,898 --> 00:27:14,531
As across the world,
512
00:27:14,533 --> 00:27:19,169
The market for a new commodity
was beginning to boom.
513
00:27:19,171 --> 00:27:24,541
It came from the lush tropical
islands of the caribbean.
514
00:27:24,543 --> 00:27:29,780
Sugar was hugely desirable
and fetched a very high price.
515
00:27:29,782 --> 00:27:32,316
Europeans
couldn't get enough of it.
516
00:27:32,318 --> 00:27:35,152
The problem was that it was
very difficult to produce.
517
00:27:35,154 --> 00:27:39,189
You needed a very large,
very dependable labor force,
518
00:27:39,191 --> 00:27:40,457
And the caribbean americas
519
00:27:40,459 --> 00:27:42,860
Just didn't have that anymore.
520
00:27:42,862 --> 00:27:44,428
You had an indigenous population
521
00:27:44,430 --> 00:27:46,330
That had been decimated
by disease,
522
00:27:46,332 --> 00:27:48,666
So they weren't available
for this type of labor,
523
00:27:48,668 --> 00:27:51,802
And even the poorest
europeans were unwilling
524
00:27:51,804 --> 00:27:54,371
To brave the expensive passage
525
00:27:54,373 --> 00:27:56,640
And the terrible living
and working conditions
526
00:27:56,642 --> 00:27:58,342
For the meager salary
527
00:27:58,344 --> 00:28:01,845
That working on
a sugar plantation would fetch.
528
00:28:01,847 --> 00:28:05,716
Narrator: However, in the eyes
of the european powers,
529
00:28:05,718 --> 00:28:08,552
That labor force
could be found in ghana
530
00:28:08,554 --> 00:28:10,554
And the countries beside it.
531
00:28:10,556 --> 00:28:14,992
The trade in gold was now making
way for the trade in people.
532
00:28:14,994 --> 00:28:20,397
♪
533
00:28:20,399 --> 00:28:23,867
A grave use now awaited
the old forts,
534
00:28:23,869 --> 00:28:28,472
And soon, even more of these
castles would line the coast.
535
00:28:32,378 --> 00:28:39,016
♪
536
00:28:39,018 --> 00:28:40,517
Narrator:
On the coast of ghana
537
00:28:40,519 --> 00:28:43,420
Sit the old european-built
forts,
538
00:28:43,422 --> 00:28:46,156
But while gold was
the initial focus here,
539
00:28:46,158 --> 00:28:49,226
The booming sugar trade
of the 17th century
540
00:28:49,228 --> 00:28:52,629
Meant the demand
was now for slaves.
541
00:28:52,631 --> 00:28:55,332
Europeans are able to come in
542
00:28:55,334 --> 00:28:57,701
And exploit instability
in africa
543
00:28:57,703 --> 00:29:01,538
And getting slave labor that
would be sent to the americas.
544
00:29:01,540 --> 00:29:04,808
Narrator: At the heart of this
new trade were the forts.
545
00:29:39,278 --> 00:29:41,678
Bell: The conditions
were horrific,
546
00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,114
And a large percentage
of the slaves died
547
00:29:44,116 --> 00:29:46,884
Before they even got on a boat.
548
00:29:46,886 --> 00:29:49,419
Narrator: The men and women were
kept separately,
549
00:29:49,421 --> 00:29:52,256
But the treatment
of the women was no better.
550
00:29:52,258 --> 00:29:55,759
In fact, for some,
it was even worse.
551
00:30:26,992 --> 00:30:30,928
Narrator: Cape coast castle,
like many of the other forts,
552
00:30:30,930 --> 00:30:34,464
Was an environment
of extreme contrasts.
553
00:30:34,466 --> 00:30:39,837
A few yards, a few meters away
from these cavernous dungeons
554
00:30:39,839 --> 00:30:43,073
Are airy, light rooms
with parquet floors,
555
00:30:43,075 --> 00:30:46,443
Elaborate furnishings,
and scenic vistas
556
00:30:46,445 --> 00:30:48,312
That the people involved,
557
00:30:48,314 --> 00:30:49,880
Who would profit off
of the slave trade,
558
00:30:49,882 --> 00:30:51,248
Where they lived.
559
00:30:51,250 --> 00:30:53,217
Bell:
It is horrendous to think
560
00:30:53,219 --> 00:30:54,985
That they just went
about their normal
561
00:30:54,987 --> 00:30:56,453
Day-to-day lives
562
00:30:56,455 --> 00:31:01,358
Completely detached from the
unfathomable human suffering
563
00:31:01,360 --> 00:31:06,396
They were consciously
inflicting just meters away.
564
00:31:06,398 --> 00:31:09,633
Narrator: Over a period
of about 300 years,
565
00:31:09,635 --> 00:31:13,203
An estimated
12 1/2 million africans
566
00:31:13,205 --> 00:31:15,072
Were shipped to the new world.
567
00:31:37,696 --> 00:31:42,399
This was the scene of one of
the worst institutions
568
00:31:42,401 --> 00:31:45,569
In human history,
if not the absolute worst.
569
00:31:45,571 --> 00:31:48,839
The cruelty is almost
unimaginable,
570
00:31:48,841 --> 00:31:51,842
And it continued all the way up
until 1814 --
571
00:31:51,844 --> 00:31:53,577
Not that long ago, really.
572
00:31:55,581 --> 00:31:59,016
Narrator: While the slave trade
ended during the 19th century,
573
00:31:59,018 --> 00:32:01,685
Only during the decline
of the british empire
574
00:32:01,687 --> 00:32:03,120
In the 20th century
575
00:32:03,122 --> 00:32:05,589
Were these forts and the land
they stood on
576
00:32:05,591 --> 00:32:08,525
Finally handed
back to the local people.
577
00:32:10,562 --> 00:32:13,697
For years, the castles'
employment in slavery
578
00:32:13,699 --> 00:32:15,699
Was taboo in ghana,
579
00:32:15,701 --> 00:32:19,336
But now residents are showing
more interest in the history,
580
00:32:19,338 --> 00:32:22,839
With ghanaians making up
70 percent of tourist numbers
581
00:32:22,841 --> 00:32:24,308
At the forts.
582
00:32:24,310 --> 00:32:27,477
It really is a heritage site of
its own in terms of its meaning,
583
00:32:27,479 --> 00:32:28,745
Its significance.
584
00:32:28,747 --> 00:32:30,447
These forts --
they're so important
585
00:32:30,449 --> 00:32:32,249
Because people need to know
what happened,
586
00:32:32,251 --> 00:32:34,251
And they stand
as stark reminders
587
00:32:34,253 --> 00:32:37,721
Of how human beings
can treat other human beings.
588
00:32:37,723 --> 00:32:42,392
♪
589
00:32:42,394 --> 00:32:45,462
Narrator: In belgrade,
the capital of serbia,
590
00:32:45,464 --> 00:32:48,298
Is a damaged structure that once
marked the birth
591
00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:50,934
Of a new age
in the country's history.
592
00:32:50,936 --> 00:32:56,139
♪
593
00:32:56,141 --> 00:32:58,542
This place looks like it's been
to hell and back,
594
00:32:58,544 --> 00:33:02,079
Like it's been torn up
from the inside out.
595
00:33:02,081 --> 00:33:05,048
Nature is gradually
consuming this place.
596
00:33:05,050 --> 00:33:06,350
Birds are nesting in it.
597
00:33:06,352 --> 00:33:09,419
Trees are growing
out of the walls,
598
00:33:09,421 --> 00:33:12,089
And the earth is
swallowing the place up.
599
00:33:12,091 --> 00:33:14,458
It's clearly got
a story to tell,
600
00:33:14,460 --> 00:33:17,995
But that story has become buried
under years of waste.
601
00:33:17,997 --> 00:33:22,265
There's even a boat
lost under a sea of trash.
602
00:33:22,267 --> 00:33:24,334
There are other buildings
around here, too.
603
00:33:24,336 --> 00:33:26,636
The place clearly isn't alone,
604
00:33:26,638 --> 00:33:30,073
And there's tracks linking it
to these other structures,
605
00:33:30,075 --> 00:33:32,509
So we're looking at
just one small part
606
00:33:32,511 --> 00:33:35,912
Of a very vast
industrial edifice.
607
00:33:35,914 --> 00:33:37,848
Narrator:
In its prime, this site
608
00:33:37,850 --> 00:33:40,684
Was a monument
to a bright future,
609
00:33:40,686 --> 00:33:45,022
But this level of destruction
tells a different story.
610
00:33:45,024 --> 00:33:47,557
And the place has clearly
been through the wars.
611
00:33:47,559 --> 00:33:51,495
You can tell that immense
change took place here.
612
00:33:51,497 --> 00:33:54,064
The thing about this place is,
it was supposed to symbolize
613
00:33:54,066 --> 00:33:57,567
A new future for the country,
a new hope for the people,
614
00:33:57,569 --> 00:33:59,936
But what unfolded here
was, in fact,
615
00:33:59,938 --> 00:34:03,006
A disastrous setback
and a devastating tragedy.
616
00:34:06,712 --> 00:34:09,279
Narrator: Buried amongst
the rubble and waste here
617
00:34:09,281 --> 00:34:12,115
Are the origins
of a groundbreaking moment
618
00:34:12,117 --> 00:34:14,785
In the modern history of serbia.
619
00:34:14,787 --> 00:34:17,320
Serbia had been under
the rule of the ottoman empire
620
00:34:17,322 --> 00:34:19,790
Since the 15th century,
and in 1878,
621
00:34:19,792 --> 00:34:22,626
It finally got
its independence.
622
00:34:22,628 --> 00:34:25,028
They had effectively been
a slave state
623
00:34:25,030 --> 00:34:26,763
Under the ottoman empire,
624
00:34:26,765 --> 00:34:29,566
And now, suddenly, the shackles
had been thrown off,
625
00:34:29,568 --> 00:34:31,935
And the country
had the opportunity
626
00:34:31,937 --> 00:34:35,372
To make some progress.
627
00:34:35,374 --> 00:34:38,208
Narrator: Structures like this
were the result --
628
00:34:38,210 --> 00:34:41,411
An example of what was to come.
629
00:34:41,413 --> 00:34:44,381
Auerbach: At the time that
serbia gained its independence,
630
00:34:44,383 --> 00:34:47,317
Everything was
relatively small-scale.
631
00:34:47,319 --> 00:34:49,286
This wasn't
a heavily urbanized country.
632
00:34:49,288 --> 00:34:53,256
It wasn't in any way
an industrialized country.
633
00:34:53,258 --> 00:34:56,426
Narrator: But under the rule
of the new king of serbia,
634
00:34:56,428 --> 00:34:59,162
Investment was allowed in
from abroad,
635
00:34:59,164 --> 00:35:03,867
For the king had grand designs
on the future of his country.
636
00:35:03,869 --> 00:35:06,403
Auerbach: This building was
going to be a central part
637
00:35:06,405 --> 00:35:07,971
Of making that huge jump
638
00:35:07,973 --> 00:35:11,975
From agricultural nation
to an industrial nation.
639
00:35:11,977 --> 00:35:16,279
Narrator: This was
the belgrade sugar refinery.
640
00:35:16,281 --> 00:35:18,014
There was sugar beet
being produced,
641
00:35:18,016 --> 00:35:19,583
And they saw an opportunity.
642
00:35:19,585 --> 00:35:20,917
This could be exploited
643
00:35:20,919 --> 00:35:24,154
And used to fuel
their industrial revolution.
644
00:35:24,156 --> 00:35:26,690
Narrator:
For local expert ljubisa ristic,
645
00:35:26,692 --> 00:35:29,493
This meant the beginning
of a new belgrade.
646
00:35:46,078 --> 00:35:49,246
You can just imagine
what it was like back then --
647
00:35:49,248 --> 00:35:51,314
The din of the machines working,
648
00:35:51,316 --> 00:35:55,318
The employees hustling through,
going about their business.
649
00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:59,089
For those involved, this must
have felt really exciting.
650
00:36:01,160 --> 00:36:03,059
Narrator:
The ambition was to attract
651
00:36:03,061 --> 00:36:05,562
Vast numbers of workers
to this site
652
00:36:05,564 --> 00:36:07,531
To kick-start growth
in the city,
653
00:36:07,533 --> 00:36:10,534
But straight from the off,
troubles lay ahead.
654
00:36:29,087 --> 00:36:31,221
Financial concerns, however,
655
00:36:31,223 --> 00:36:33,757
Wouldn't be the end
of the troubles here,
656
00:36:33,759 --> 00:36:37,794
As a push for workers' rights
would soon turn into a dramatic
657
00:36:37,796 --> 00:36:41,531
And bloody confrontation
outside of the gates.
658
00:36:44,570 --> 00:36:52,976
♪
659
00:36:52,978 --> 00:36:55,378
Narrator: At the start of
the 20th century,
660
00:36:55,380 --> 00:36:58,048
In the city of belgrade
in serbia,
661
00:36:58,050 --> 00:37:01,384
The creation of new
industrial sites like this
662
00:37:01,386 --> 00:37:04,654
Were testing the limits
of the old social order.
663
00:37:04,656 --> 00:37:06,590
Tensions were beginning
to mount,
664
00:37:06,592 --> 00:37:09,993
And violence was on the horizon.
665
00:37:09,995 --> 00:37:12,529
Sellwood: The amount of change
that industrialization caused
666
00:37:12,531 --> 00:37:13,697
Was enormous,
667
00:37:13,699 --> 00:37:16,299
But it was also
the speed of that change.
668
00:37:16,301 --> 00:37:17,834
One day, it wasn't here,
669
00:37:17,836 --> 00:37:19,869
And you've got a largely
agricultural society
670
00:37:19,871 --> 00:37:21,104
And economy,
671
00:37:21,106 --> 00:37:23,974
And the next day,
you've got full-scale industry.
672
00:37:23,976 --> 00:37:26,776
You're now working
according to the clock
673
00:37:26,778 --> 00:37:29,512
And according to the demands of
whoever is running the factory,
674
00:37:29,514 --> 00:37:32,115
And not everyone is going
to take to that very easily
675
00:37:32,117 --> 00:37:33,416
And with good reason.
676
00:37:33,418 --> 00:37:34,851
All across the balkans,
677
00:37:34,853 --> 00:37:37,454
The changes that accompanied
industrialization
678
00:37:37,456 --> 00:37:41,157
Were accelerating
the demand for workers' rights.
679
00:37:41,159 --> 00:37:44,160
Belgrade is going to see
this earliest and heaviest
680
00:37:44,162 --> 00:37:45,562
'cause it's the first place
in the country
681
00:37:45,564 --> 00:37:48,031
To witness
heavy industrialization,
682
00:37:48,033 --> 00:37:51,301
And the struggle that's fought
here is going to symbolize
683
00:37:51,303 --> 00:37:54,204
The struggle that will soon
consume the whole country.
684
00:37:54,206 --> 00:37:56,072
Wherever
there are differences,
685
00:37:56,074 --> 00:37:59,142
Wherever there are people
making more than others,
686
00:37:59,144 --> 00:38:02,579
There will be tensions,
and this was no exception.
687
00:38:05,250 --> 00:38:09,052
Narrator: In February 1907,
the situation of the workers
688
00:38:09,054 --> 00:38:12,122
Finally became
too desperate to ignore.
689
00:38:14,393 --> 00:38:16,593
The records aren't exactly
clear, but basically,
690
00:38:16,595 --> 00:38:20,096
The german owners failed to
comply or reneged on agreements
691
00:38:20,098 --> 00:38:23,600
Relating to working conditions
and rates of pay.
692
00:38:23,602 --> 00:38:26,202
So a group of workers went to
the factory management
693
00:38:26,204 --> 00:38:27,804
To issue them a warning --
694
00:38:27,806 --> 00:38:31,775
"honor your agreement,
or we'll strike."
695
00:38:31,777 --> 00:38:34,944
Unfortunately,
this push for rights or pay
696
00:38:34,946 --> 00:38:37,614
Soon turned into a tragedy.
697
00:38:37,616 --> 00:38:39,883
Narrator:
The dividing lines were drawn.
698
00:38:39,885 --> 00:38:42,519
The owners wouldn't back down
699
00:38:42,521 --> 00:38:45,021
And neither would almost
400 workers
700
00:38:45,023 --> 00:38:46,723
Who opted to strike.
701
00:39:05,177 --> 00:39:09,813
Following 18 days of stalemate,
on March 14th,
702
00:39:09,815 --> 00:39:12,349
The standoff had finally
reached breaking point
703
00:39:12,351 --> 00:39:14,684
Outside the facility.
704
00:39:14,686 --> 00:39:16,820
Picketers were soon
arming themselves
705
00:39:16,822 --> 00:39:19,556
With metal bars, iron spikes.
706
00:39:19,558 --> 00:39:24,561
Some even had knives
or handguns.
707
00:39:24,563 --> 00:39:27,030
We've all seen pictures,
television
708
00:39:27,032 --> 00:39:29,032
Showing what happens
in events like these.
709
00:39:29,034 --> 00:39:30,467
There are crowds on both sides.
710
00:39:30,469 --> 00:39:31,835
Emotions are high.
711
00:39:31,837 --> 00:39:35,271
There's a lot of yelling,
a lot of shouting.
712
00:39:35,273 --> 00:39:40,009
Violence is sometimes inevitable
in these circumstances.
713
00:39:40,011 --> 00:39:43,613
Narrator: To make matters worse,
the workers weren't alone here.
714
00:40:01,199 --> 00:40:04,934
Four workers were killed
in the violence.
715
00:40:04,936 --> 00:40:07,771
The factory owners were
eventually forced to agree
716
00:40:07,773 --> 00:40:09,906
To improve conditions,
717
00:40:09,908 --> 00:40:11,741
But in the coming months,
718
00:40:11,743 --> 00:40:16,346
It became apparent
they wouldn't keep their word.
719
00:40:16,348 --> 00:40:18,515
The strike ended in defeat,
720
00:40:18,517 --> 00:40:20,283
But it set
an important precedent.
721
00:40:20,285 --> 00:40:22,452
We can see it as the beginning
722
00:40:22,454 --> 00:40:25,855
Of the true
socialist movement in serbia,
723
00:40:25,857 --> 00:40:28,324
And the battle fought there
is going to be continued on
724
00:40:28,326 --> 00:40:31,594
For decades to come
across the country.
725
00:40:31,596 --> 00:40:34,531
The refinery survived
the first encounter unscathed
726
00:40:34,533 --> 00:40:36,166
And was back in use
straightaway,
727
00:40:36,168 --> 00:40:37,400
But just down the line
728
00:40:37,402 --> 00:40:39,302
Was world war I
and world war ii,
729
00:40:39,304 --> 00:40:40,670
Then soviet rule.
730
00:40:40,672 --> 00:40:45,008
This country was in for a
tough time in the 20th century.
731
00:40:45,010 --> 00:40:48,611
Narrator: Repaired, modified,
and rebuilt over the years,
732
00:40:48,613 --> 00:40:51,247
As wars and occupation
brought destruction
733
00:40:51,249 --> 00:40:53,983
And defined the experience
of this country,
734
00:40:53,985 --> 00:40:58,455
The sugar refinery finally
closed its doors in 1983.
735
00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:03,726
While appearing
to have barely survived
736
00:41:03,728 --> 00:41:05,295
Those desperate years,
737
00:41:05,297 --> 00:41:09,299
In fact, the refinery has since
had a colorful second life
738
00:41:09,301 --> 00:41:11,534
As an arts and theater venue,
739
00:41:11,536 --> 00:41:14,637
Something ljubisa has played
a central role in.
740
00:41:43,435 --> 00:41:46,002
Narrator: This building,
which marks a key moment
741
00:41:46,004 --> 00:41:48,104
In serbia's social history,
742
00:41:48,106 --> 00:41:51,374
Now has a bright future
to look forward to.
66297
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