The old fort C-42 Fratelli Croce, in Zadar, today part of Croatia

An Italian World War II bunker whose entrance is among the tombs of a cemetery

There are old military fortifications that have quite curious entrances. One of them is in the old Italian city of Zara, today called Zadar, in Croatia.

A bunker that still houses an old German WWII anti-aircraft gun in good condition
The battery GE3 of Furuvik: an example of a well-preserved coastal artillery fort

This city, founded by ancient Rome and located in the Dalmatia region, belonged to the Republic of Venice since the Middle Ages, becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. In 1943, when Italy changed sides in the Second World War, Zara remained in the area of the so-called Italian Social Republic, headed by Mussolini and controlled de factoby the forces German military. During the last two years of the war, Zara suffered frequent Allied bombing, as a German garrison was stationed there.

The city of Zara became part of Yugoslavia in 1947, receiving its current name of Zadar and being framed in the so-called Socialist Republic of Croatia. After Croatia's independence in 1991, Zadar remained within its borders. The largest military position of the 240 preserved in Zadar is the C-42 Fratelli Croce, an Italian World War II bunker located in the eastern sector of the city. It was built at a depth of 5 meters and had four entrances (two of which are currently blocked) and four steel domes, of which two remain.

Zadar's old fortifications were last used during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, serving as defenses for Croatian forces. Today, Fort C-42 Fratelli Croce is preserved in good condition, with the walls still white. Interestingly, one of its entrances is located in a cemetery. Also, on the fort are the graves of 126 German soldiers who were taken prisoner by the Yugoslavs during World War II. American urban explorer Tattooed Traveler has posted an interesting video showcasing the inside this fort and accessing it through the cemetery:

You can see some screenshots of the video below. We start with this plan of the old fort C-42 Fratelli Croce.

Access to the fort between the tombs of the cemetery.

The fort is in relatively good condition, with the walls still white and unpainted.

One of the rooms of the fort.

The position still retains the signs in Italian from World War II. This indicates access to station number 1.

One of the four steel domes that the fort had, seen from inside. Heading this entry you can see it from the outside.

One of the tunnels in the fort that are clogged.

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