Villa Rebar

A hunting lodge above Zagreb on Medvednica, later used by the WWII fascist leader (poglavnik) Ante Pavelić. The villa was bombed and burnt out, and a network of concrete tunnels was dug into the hillside beneath it. Only ruins remain.

Villa Rebar sits in Central Croatia, a part of Croatia with its own character, and the abandoned place is the reason most people stop.

Ruins are unstable. Do not climb on structures, watch for loose masonry and never go in alone. Many of these places are sites of difficult history, so move quietly and take nothing.

Practical info

• Entry: confirm entry fees and hours on the official site before you set out. They shift with the season, and some places shut altogether off-season.
• How to get there: Tap the map above for exact directions. In Croatian towns parking is usually signposted and paid, look for the blue P zones. If you are island hopping, leave buffer time for the ferries.

Timing your trip

For Villa Rebar, May to October is the dependable window. June and September are ideal, warm and lighter on crowds than July and August. In winter the country turns quieter and cheaper, especially in the inland cities.

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