Ice Station Zebra #01 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrOur Italy road trip was nearly over when we found ourselves somewhere in the mountains one evening. The roads up to this cluster of defunct radar dishes aren't really suited for driving anymore because there are massive potholes everywhere. However, somehow we made it to the top and got instantly rewarded with one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever experienced.
Starchaser by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrAfter an exhausting day of urbex we decided to camp up here. Some obtrusive ringing bells have awakened us the next morning. But due to the extremely heavy fog we weren't able to say where it was coming from. Hell, we couldn’t even see those larges dishes right in front of us! But we guessed those bells had to do something with this massive pile of **** that was placed right next to our tents the night before. As it turned out horses are grazing on the remote compound by day! And some of them have those annoying bells hanging round their neck.
Horses by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrFour radar dishes in total are located on this 25.000 square meters big plot of land. They were part of an enormous early warning system of the NATO. In ten different EU countries those Troposcatter bases can be found. They all were constructed in the 1960s - so, at the climax of the Cold War. In case of an invasion by Soviet Russia, allies of the NATO could have been warned almost immediately.
From Space by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrOver 4.000 kilometer, from Norway to Turkey, were covered by the communications network. In the 1990s this site was shut down. On the one hand because the Cold War was over and on the other hand because satellite communications were displacing microwave radio. Until this point, 25 people in total were permanently stationed here.
Ice Station Zebra #06 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrIn 2005, the military granted civilians access to the property. An amateur radio club started to partly refurbish the outdated facility and installed new telecommunications equipment up here. This also explains the relatively good condition of the structures. Two of the four paraboloids with 20 meters in diameter are said to be working again.
Ascent by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrWe think that this is a great opportunity to continue the legacy of this history-charged place. And what makes it even better in our opinion: Despite the property still belongs to the military, it is only used for civil purposes. It’s a museum, a real relic from the climax of the Cold War and from time to time even pasture area . And all of that with a picturesque backdrop. We couldn’t stop raving about this place. But we had to. It was time to strike camp and continue our journey through abandoned Italy.
Next Morning by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrDo you want to see more of this site now? Make sure to watch this documentary:
