The project involves the restauration and partly reconstruction of the existing network of underground tunnels situated underneath the Venetian castle on the Kaštel hill on one side, and the installation of an elevator which will connect tunnels with the castle on other.

The underground tunnel system was made under the Austro-hungarian governance at the biggining of 20th century. They spread under the Kaštel hill in two separated levels, one at the street level now called Zero strasse and the other just beneath the castle. First action includes also the reconstruction of seven entrances to the tunnels. The elevator will connect the street level with the castle and separated tunnels which will enable easier access to the Kaštel hill and the castle for pedestrians and physically disabled persons.

Underground tunnels could be perceived as an alternative pedestrian network of the city or as a pedestrian subway, in the means of shortcuts and different way of moving through the city. The tunnel network connect all important interest points of the city for they were made for sheltering the military personnel and are strategically  situated with excellent spatial organization. Also, existing network is naturally ventilated with special ventilation system of secondary vertical tunnels which provide fresh air from the surface. Air temperature is constant and serves as perfect runaway from heated streets in the summer time. Underground tunnels are already opened for visitors in the summer.

Breda Bizjak was initiator of the revitalisation proccess of the underground tunnel system of Pula. In 2002 she presented the project "Proccess Pula Underground" / "Proces Pula PodgraÄ‘e" to the public for the first time and since than several steps toward revitalisation have been done but all in a partially planned manner. This project has developed a strategically planned proccess of reactivation of these ambiences as one of the mayor cultural investments for the city.  

More on the project here >>> http://www.bba.si/ponudba/process-pula-underground-pula-croatia.html

Background of the project:
Breda Bizjak intiated the project of revitalisation of the Pula underground system of tunnels in 2002.
See more on this link:
http://www.bba.si/ponudba/process-pula-underground-pula-croatia.html,
PUBLICATIONS:
http://pogledaj.to/arhitektura/proces-pula-podgrade-grad-ispod-grada/