Sometime amidst the Coronavirus pandemic we decided to launch our YouTube channel (subscribe and follow us if you like outdoor topics and want to discover the best places of Croatia together with us) and started to make documentary videos about our travels. And so we made a short documentary about this abandoned underground military shelter near the city of Ploce in southern Croatia.
We have been occupied with photography for so long time and haven’t done much material in the form of a video. And we decided to give it a try. We were thinking about what our first YouTube episode could be about and thought about unique places near the city of Ploče, which is our hometown and the place where we were based at the time.
And so the decision was made that we make our first video about an abandoned military bunker that was just a 5-minute drive away from the house in which we lived back then.
A bit of a background about this abandoned military bunker
Since the city of Ploče was a strategic port during the time of WW2 and because of the fact that Italians used it as a port for transferring goods from Bosnia and Herzegovina back to Italy, a lot of military structures were built during that time. Most of these are abandoned nowadays and ready to be explored by urban explorers and military history enthusiasts.
The city of Ploče is nowadays the second largest seaport in Croatia and it was as important during WW2 as it is today. Back then it was called Porto Tolero by Italians.
If you are staying in the city of Ploce or near it, and you are interested in these kinds of abandoned military places in Croatia, it would be a shame not to visit it.
Here you can watch the original video (we’re talking in Croatian, but we plan to add subtitles as soon as possible). Below you can watch another video with no talking at all, just passing through this abandoned underground bunker in Croatia.
We weren’t able to find much information about this particular bunker about it online although we did our best. But nevertheless, we discovered some useful information simply by exploring it. It’s rather small compared to some other abandoned underground places in Croatia as Željava Airbase or Vis tunnels.
Where is it located
This abandoned military bunker is situated near the city of Ploce and very close to Bacina lakes. A good thing about it is its proximity to the main road connecting the city of Ploče with Split and Dubrovnik. The shelter is just a few minutes walk away from the main road. It’s even accessible by car, but since the road is unpaved we don’t recommend it. There is parking on the road so you can park your car there and take a short walk to reach it.
How does it look like
Well, first of all, it’s not as big as some other similar abandoned military places in Croatia, but its proximity to the road makes it worth visiting. The bunker consists of U shaped tunnel and 11 separated chambers inside the tunnel. Some more rooms can be found in the tunnel as well. Some of them were used for storage of ammunition and one room was used as a generator room for providing the bunker with electricity. Those 11 separate rooms were probably used as sleeping chambers. At the end of these, there is a vertical shaft going straight up and exiting in the middle of the hill. This shaft was probably used as an escape route in case of an attack.
What was it part of
The city of Ploce has a rich military past, starting with WW2. Many bunkers were built around and almost every hilltop has at least one bunker on top of it. This underground bunker/atomic shelter was a part of a bunker network on a hill above it. Since there were no army barracks near these bunkers, they constructed this shelter. On the top of the hill above, there are remnants of 2 bunkers and many more fortified positions used to guard this area. From the hilltop, you can see almost all of the Bacina lakes, the village of Bacina, and the main road. The road was probably the reason why the bunkers were situated in this place since it’s a very important road.
Future of the atomic shelter
The underground shelter is left to slowly decay. Thieves looted almost everything there is to loot. The power generator from the generator room is gone. Every piece of the iron they could take was taken and sold to scrap metal. Fortunately, the massive doors are still there and intact. A possible reason for this is their weight. Please follow the Leave no Trace principles if visiting this abandoned bunker or any other similar place in Croatia.
However, the future of this Croatia underground bunker could be bright. It can become one of the attractions of the Ploce area. It can become a winery or a thematic cafe. Although, we are not sure that it can meet all of the necessary certificates it needs to have for that purpose. Obtaining them will surely be very hard.
The renovation of this object would cost a lot and take some time in case somebody wants to open a cafe there. But for the sole purpose of visiting it, it should only be cleaned a bit and everything could be done by a few people in a few days. The city of Ploče had a very turbulent past in the times of the Croatian War for Independence so maybe a thematic museum could be hosted in this place too.
The Appeal of Abandoned Places in Croatia
Let’s talk a bit about other abandoned places in Croatia since there are so many of them. So what’s the most usual type of these in Croatia:
- Abandoned Military Sites: Underground bunkers, airbases, and barracks from the Yugoslav era are scattered across the country, including the notable Željava Airbase and bunkers near Ploče.
- Medieval Ruins: Castles, fortresses, and churches that offer a glimpse into Croatia’s medieval past.
- Hotels and Resorts: Old abandoned hotels and resorts and shipyards often attract urban explorers.
- Abandoned Villages: People left these due to migration or economic shifts, found all across Dalmatia
Safety Concerns When Exploring Abandoned Places
All of these abandoned places in Croatia are very interesting to explore but they impose a big safety concern because of the state they are usually in. Take Željava Airbase as and example. It’s one of the most famous abandoned objects in Croatia and it was destroyed from the inside and there are many dangerous places scattered all across it.
What to think about when exploring abandoned places such as this military bunker near the city of Ploče.
- Structural Integrity:
- Many abandoned structures are unstable and prone to collapse. Avoid climbing on crumbling walls or entering areas with visible cracks.
- Hazardous Materials:
- Older sites may contain asbestos, lead paint, or other harmful substances. Avoid disturbing dust or debris.
- Hidden Dangers:
- Be cautious of sharp objects, broken glass, or uncovered holes and pits.
- Legal Considerations:
- Some sites may be privately owned or protected under heritage laws. Always research permissions before visiting.
Essential Equipment for Exploring Abandoned Places
So how to stay as safe as possible when visiting places such as these and what is the essential equipment you must have when exploring them?
- Protective Clothing: Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and proper shoes to protect yourself from cuts and scrapes.
- Gloves: Protect your hands from sharp edges and debris.
- Helmet: Can prevent injuries from falling debris.
- Flashlight: Bring a powerful flashlight or headlamp for dark spaces.
- Dust Mask: Preventing inhalation of harmful particles in dusty environments.
- First Aid Kit: Carry a small kit for minor injuries in case they happen
- Camera: Document your adventure while respecting the site.
- Backpack: Pack essentials like water, snacks, and extra batteries for the larger abandoned places in Croatia
Tips for Exploring Abandoned Places
Few more tips that can make your exploration of such places a better experience.
- Plan Ahead:
- Research the history and accessibility of the site. Many of them are decaying and information found online can be outdated.
- Check for legal restrictions and local guidelines. Don’t break any laws and respect the locals.
- Go with a Group:
- Exploring the sites together with other people increases safety and makes the experience more enjoyable.
- Avoid Night Visits:
- Poor visibility increases risks, and many sites are harder to navigate in the dark. They are much more creepy during the night too
- Stay Alert:
- Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid areas that seem unsafe or overly deteriorated. Don’t venture into something that’s not safe
- Respect the Site:
- Do not remove artifacts or damage the property. Leave the site as you found it. Follow the Leave No Trace Principles
Notable Abandoned Sites in Croatia
And finally, let’s talk about some of the most famous abandoned military locations in Croatia.
- Military Underground Bunker near Ploče: A relic of Croatia’s strategic importance during WW2, the city of Ploče has many different abandoned military objects
- Željava Airbase: One of Europe’s largest underground airports, located near the Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Vis Island Military Tunnels: A network of tunnels and bunkers used during the Yugoslav era for defense purposes. Vis is the single most popular place when it comes to Cold War-era tunnels in Croatia
- Žrnovnica Rocket Base: A Cold War-era site near Split full of abandoned infrastructure
- Island of Lastovo: Known for its military heritage, including bunkers and observation posts. Almost every of the southern Croatia islands has at least some form of abandoned military places
Before You Venture into the abandoned military places of Croatia
As you can see, Croatia is full of different kinds of abandoned places and these might be very rewarding to explore. There are many people out there attracted to the military past and places like this abandoned bunker near the city of Ploče we explored in this article. The only thing we ask of you when exploring places like this is to stay safe and leave everything as you found it.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your exploration of the rich military past of Croatia! And please subscribe to our YouTube channel if you are interested in more stories like this.