Submarine Tunnel

Useful Information

Location:	Bay of Kotor, Kumbor. (42.427670, 18.590030)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Secret Bunker
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Submarine Tunnel, Bay of Kotor, Kumbor. Limitless Speedboat, Dobrota BB, Kotor 85330, Tel: +382-68-709-709. E-mail: Kotor Speed Boat Tours, Skaljari "Rakite" 2/1, Kotor 85330, Tel: +382-69-047-475. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1950s	beginning of construction of such secret bases in Yugoslavia.
1970s	tunnels built by the Yugoslav Navy.
1992	Yugoslav Navy disbanded.
2000s	electronic music festival in the tunnel.

Description

Submarine Tunnel (Submarine Bunker) is actually a tunnel which was built as a harbour for a submarine. Actually there are three such tunnels built by the Yugoslav Navy. To protect them from air raids, the submarine enters the tunnel underwater and comes to the surface inside. Each tunnel is about 100 m long, the water inside 10 m deep. Originally the tunnels were hidden by fake rocks and other means of camouflage, but after they were abandoned, the camouflage deteriorated. The tunnels, on the other side, were covered with reinforced concrete and will probably stay as they are for centuries. The tunnels are located at the entrance to the Bay of Kotor on the northern coast of the Luštica peninsula.

The Yugoslav Navy actually owned 13 domestically produced submarines designed for use in the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas and several "wet subs" for use by special forces. The country was part of the Warsaw Pact and the tunnels were also intended for submarines of other Pact members, for example Russia. Also, the size is not sufficient for more modern submarines, so they were probably abandoned even before the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. On the other hand, the entrance also allowed to bring torpedo boats or missile boats into the tunnel. Such bases are scattered along the Adriatic coastline of the former Yugoslavia. For more info on this topic, the Naval Heritage Collection Museum in Tivat, across the bay, is a good place. They also show the last remaining attack submarine of the Yugoslav Navy, the others were scrapped. The Heroj class diesel-electric submarine was built in Yugoslavia in the 1960s.

Today numerous boat operators offer boat trips from Kotor to see the tunnels. Smaller ships can enter the tunnel, which is abandoned and open, and it is possible to swim inside. There are also walking pathways along the sides for those who prefer to walk. From there a network of passages and chambers connected to the tunnel can be visited, but this requires a lamp. Nearby are also some abandoned military ships at an equally abandoned military base. While the site itself is freely accessible, there are fees for the boat tour, dates and fees depend on the operator. The tunnels or at least one of them is part of numerous tours, it's also possible to charter a private boat for yourself or your group. It's also possible to visit the tunnels from land, starting at the village Rose. There are entrance tunnels into the bunker which are now abandoned and open, though they are not easy to find.