# Paklenica military tunnel complex repurposing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/paklenica-military-tunnel-complex-repurposing
> Updated: 2026-10-10T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Paklenica Underground City is a former secret military complex located deep beneath the Velebit mountains in Croatia’s Velika Paklenica canyon. Constructed by the Yugoslav People’s Army between 1950 and 1953, the network of corridors, warehouses, and technical rooms was designed as a logistics base and shelter during periods of tension between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.

Following the death of Stalin in 1953, the site was sealed as a strictly guarded military secret. During the Croatian War of Independence in 1991, the space was utilized by the Croatian military as a warehouse. 

Since the early 1990s, the facility has transitioned into a public attraction. After being assigned to Paklenica National Park, renovations began in 2000. The site officially opened as a visitor center in August 2016, with subsequent expansions in 2022. The facility now serves as a center for the natural and cultural heritage of the Velebit mountain range, featuring interactive displays and a climbing center.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: Paklenica National Park features former secret Yugoslav military tunnels

A former secret Yugoslav military bunker complex in Paklenica National Park, Croatia, has been converted into a visitor center showcasing the natural and cultural heritage of the Velebit region.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paklenica-national-park-features-former-secret-yugoslav-military-tunnels

### 2026-09-26: Paklenica tunnels: Former secret military complex open to visitors

A secret underground military complex built in the Paklenica canyon between 1950 and 1952 is now a tourist attraction.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paklenica-tunnels-former-secret-military-complex-open-to-visitors

---
Cite as: Paklenica military tunnel complex repurposing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/paklenica-military-tunnel-complex-repurposing