Before the outbreak of the Great War, Pula held significant military importance as the main naval port of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, fortified with extensive constructions including forts, batteries, and machine gun positions. The authorities constructed an extensive underground tunnel system prior to and during the war to shelter the population and store ammunition. These tunnels, including those beneath the hills Kaštel and Monte Ghiro, served various purposes such as barracks, storage, and prisons. The Venetian fort atop Kaštel housed underground rooms for soldiers and storage. The tunnels, with their wide passageways, could accommodate thousands of people and were designed for constant airflow and stable temperatures. After the war, the Italian rulers expanded and repurposed the tunnels as shelters and emergency hospitals, later adding 'atomic shelters' during the Cold War era. The total capacity of Pula's shelters exceeds the city's population, highlighting their significance in times of conflict and emergency.

Type of Data Point - Website/Blog Post

ZEROSTRASSE - The Underground Shelter Tunnels of Pula - www.ppmi.hr

Visit page of the element - ZEROSTRASSE - Underground Shelter Tunnels of Pula

Inserted: 09-05-2024 19:05:51