On Museum Night 2025, Kapela becomes the center of the Croatian Air Force
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Published: 30.01.2025.
A memorial park dedicated to the Croatian Air Force is opening in Kapela.
On Friday, January 31st, as part of the Night of Museums, the Municipality Kapela will officially open the Memorial Park to the Croatian Air Force and Air Defense. Kapela will thus become an important center for preserving the history and tradition of the Croatian Air Force.
The memorial park is located under the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, on the site of the first radar observation and guidance data in independent Croatia. The first radar signal was released there almost 34 years ago during the Homeland War. It was on October 6, 1991, and that date is considered the beginning of the work of the First Radar Unit of the Croatian Army.
The park features valuable exhibits: the legendary MiG 21 BIS aircraft, once flown by Ivan Selak, the Mil Mi 24 helicopter, which is unique in that it was the only one that could carry a torpedo and was used for anti-submarine warfare, and was displayed as an exhibit in Croatia for the first time, and the M55 20/3 cannon. The aircraft were transported from Zagreb by a convoy of vehicles.
The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Numerous high-ranking officials will participate, including envoys from the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia, representatives of the Government, the Ministry of Defense, the Croatian Air Force and the Croatian Military Academy. Special guests will be legendary Croatian pilots, including Danijela Borović, Ivica Ivandić, Marin Puh and Ivan Selak, and the wife of the late Rudolf Perešin, Ljerka Perešin.
This event is also an opportunity to meet legendary pilots and almost the entire squadron of Mil Mi 24 combat helicopters, including commanders, pilots, flight technicians, and members of the observation and guidance branch.
Kapela will be a gathering place for history and aviation enthusiasts, providing visitors with an insight into the glorious past through exhibitions, exhibits and personal stories of heroes.
This event is of great importance for Croatian military history, and also represents an important contribution to preserving the memory of key moments of the Homeland War.
Visit Kapela and be a part of this historic event.
