Gareth Leonard's video: The Croatia You Never See Massive Abandoned Military Airbase of Yugoslavia

Watch Next: Croatian Food Tour in Istria ► https://youtu.be/wQXxBYAsKNc Watch Next: My First Day in Egypt ► https://youtu.be/8bl3wPRuzP0 More Information about this Croatia Travel Vlog👇 If you're looking for the best things to do in Croatia, I highly recommend watching this video! Although we’re scheduled to be in Split later today, this morning, we’re going off the beaten path from Plitvice National Park to make three incredible stops... 1. Željava Airbase It’s true, the airplane (kind of plane) is just the tip of the iceberg here. Željava Airbase was Yugoslavia’s largest underground military airbase, and one of the most expensive military projects Europe had ever seen. Yugoslavia spent the equivalent of $6 to 8 Billion dollars in the 50s and 60s on the Željava airbase over the course of its 20-year construction, finally completing in 1968. The incredibly designed complex stretched 3.5km underground. Protected by the surrounding mountains, It had 4 different entrances, secured with 110 pressurized doors, and 5 different runways in case of attack. It had its own water source, power generators, fuel supply, air conditioning, food quarters, and a mess hall that could feed 1,000 people at once. However, because of its incredible power, During the Homeland War or Croatian War of Independence, the JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army) or Yugoslav National Army, set out on a year-long mission to destroy the Željava Air base, and in 1992 56 tons of missiles were used to bomb it until consumed with internal fires. They also mined the surrounding area. It hasn’t been in operation since the war, and Today, it’s still monitored by police and border patrol. You are able to go in and explore at your own risk. A HUGE Thank You to these incredible videos about Željava Airbase for allowing me to use some of their amazing footage. If you want more information about Željava Airbase, watch these: Croatia Infiltration - https://youtu.be/jgXU15JLHng Way into Adventure - https://youtu.be/JNyub6fS25U Schornography - https://youtu.be/aFCkvMXZNvY Culturiosity - https://youtu.be/Pf_4Jskd49M 2. Knin Fortress Knin Fortress, positioned on top of the steep Spas Mountain, along the main transport corridor between Croatia and Bosnia, is the second largest fortress in the country, and the most significant defensive strongholds. It was one of the most important locations during the the Croatian War of Independence, and has been a pivotal position of power for all those who came before it. The fortress was conquered by the Ottomans in the 1500s, the Venetians in the 1600s, and today, the Croatian flag flys high, raised during Operation Storm, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence. 3. Cetina Back on the backroads, straddling the Bosnia and Herzegovina border in 90* heat and no air conditioning, our last stop was a necessary one - we just had no idea how refreshing it was going to be! Split, Croatia. After a full-on day exploring some lesser-known Croatian sites and experiences, we finally make it to the popular coastal city of Split. Where we make the obligatory stop for gelato. And this one - woof - featured homemade waffle cones and each one got a drizzle of warm chocolate at the bottom from their never-ending chocolate fountain. Yeah, I know. Check out videos from the other members of our Croatia Road Trip: Goran's Channel - https://youtu.be/kHykb6QXtDg Tyler's Channel - https://youtu.be/8TLBQo_hVk4 I hope you enjoyed this Croatia Travel Vlog episode of the best things to do in Croatia! ❤️ If so, please hit that "👍" button, and leave a comment! ---------- WATCH ANOTHER "TRAVEL DEEPER" SERIES: ✈️ Russia ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Russia-Series Philippines ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Philippines-Series Japan ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Japan-Series Brazil ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Brazil-Series Australia ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Australia-Series USA ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-USA-Series Mexico ► https://bit.ly/Travel-Deeper-Mexico-Series ---------- WHO AM I? Hi! My name is Gareth Leonard, an American Travel YouTuber with a passion for slow, meaningful Travel. I have spent the past 13+ years traveling around the world while creating travel vlogs to help inspire and educate people to “Travel Deeper.” If you enjoy my work, please subscribe to this channel and turn on the notifications bell to stay up-to-date with my travel deeper adventures. Daily updates can also be found on my Instagram Stories (@traveldeeper), so if you’ve read this far, send me a DM with the “🦊” emoji so I know you’re a real one! Thanks for following along! 🙏 čkaJezera #Željava