The tunnel of Rijeka, the newest street in Rijeka as it is sometimes referred to, has been reopened for all visitors, hrturizam.hr reports.
It’s a former military tunnel, 330 meters long, built by the Italian Army during World War II (1939-1942). It’s around 4 meters wide and has an average height of around 2.5 meters. Its original purpose was to protect the civilians of the town of Rijeka against any possible shellings during the war, and it was a part of the fortified structures that were used as bunkers for ammunition. It goes to as deep as 10 meters underground, so it provided ample protection to the civilians at the end of the World War II, and it was used twice during the Homeland War when there were signs that there might be attacks against civilian targets in Rijeka.
Some signs that remain from the time the tunnel was originally built can still be seen on the walls.
All 330 meters of the tunnel have been illuminated, and you can walk through it – some sand has been put down in the tunnel to make it easier for those walking the length. The temperature inside the tunnel is 15 °C, which sounds like a great selling point for all those who will find themselves in Rijeka during the hottest days of summer. And that’s exactly the type of people it hopes to attract, tourists interested in a unique perspective of Croatia’s biggest port town.
The tunnel of Rijeka has not managed to come alive as a place to host any events, something that the Grič Tunnel in Zagreb has successfully done, as it has hosted concerts, exhibitions, it has been a part of Zagreb Advent and other events. However, with Rijeka soon becoming the European Capital of Culture 2020, it can be expected that the tunnel below the centre of the town will find its purpose during the year-long celebration of the culture of Rijeka.
The tunnel will be open to visitors every day in the period between 10 am and 8 pm. You can enter the tunnel through the entrance by the Cathedral of St. Vid at the centre of the town, and it goes under the old town all the way to the Dolac elementary school.
