Rijeka Tunnel

In central Rijeka there is an approximately 330 meter long tunnel and about ten meters deep. During Second World War this tunnel served as a shelter for civilians in the event of airstrikes. Construction of the tunnel began in early thirties and was a section of the defense line (Vallo Alpino) built by fascist Italy as a defense against the Yugoslav kingdom. At that time Rijeka was part of Italy and the city was close to the border with Yugoslavia. Between 1939 and 1942, the tunnel was gradually extended. The shelter came to be used in late 1944 and early 1945 when Rijeka was attacked by allied aircraft.