WWI bunker and coastal defences in Senj open to visitors

Senj

Senj, Croatia – A hidden chapter of Senj’s rich past is being brought back to life, as a long-forgotten First World War bunker and historic coastal defences are restored and opened to the public.

For centuries, the defence of Senj relied on its strategic position on the Adriatic, the courage of the famed Uskoks and the strength of the Nehaj Fortress.

The city was once encircled by walls, while towers guarded both the harbour and the urban core from attacks by sea.

Now, part of that defensive heritage is being rediscovered and given a new purpose.

The port of Senj has always played a key strategic role, Vedran Tomljanović, director of the Senj City Museum, told HRT. From the era of the Uskoks, who defended the city from Venetian forces, to later conflicts such as the First World War, the harbour remained of vital importance.

At the centre of the current restoration is an Austro-Hungarian bunker dating back to 1916. Hidden for decades beneath earth and vegetation, the structure remained largely unknown even to local residents.

An initiative has now been launched to restore the bunker and integrate it into the city’s cultural offering.

Senj

Coastal walkway and historic viewpoints

As part of the wider project, the City of Senj is redeveloping the southern section of the harbour. This includes a new 500-metre promenade stretching from Bablja Beach to Travica.

Above the walkway sits the restored bunker, once used to defend the city. Its gun loopholes, overlooking the islands and the Velebit Channel, were strategically positioned to protect against maritime attacks.

Culture, heritage and tourism combined

The project also includes the renovation of the Park of Senj Writers, a space dedicated to prominent Croatian literary figures connected to the city.

City officials say the aim is to combine cultural heritage with tourism development, creating a cohesive story along the southern harbour.

Nehaj Fortress (Photo: K. Korlević/Public domain)

Once restored, the bunker will take on a new role as an exhibition space showcasing Senj’s military history, while also hosting cultural and tourist events.

The former gun loopholes, once symbols of defence, will become vantage points for visitors to explore the city’s past, from its warriors and seafarers to the powerful natural forces that helped shape its history.

With the project, Senj is transforming hidden military heritage into a unique attraction, offering visitors a deeper insight into one of Croatia’s most historically resilient coastal towns.