Cape Gatula and Gatula Battery Biševo – Military Tunnels and Viewpoint
Cape Gatula is located on the southern part of the island of Biševo and is one of the best places to explore its lesser-known side. Far from the crowds around the Blue Cave, here the open sea meets the steep southern coast, rare island vegetation, and the remnants of a large coastal artillery battery embedded in the rock.
At first glance, Gatula appears to be just another barren coastal cape. It is only upon closer inspection that four former artillery positions and a system of underground corridors are revealed, which allowed soldiers to stay and operate almost completely hidden beneath the surface.
Today, the former military complex has been restored, secured, and illuminated. The cannons are no longer present, and the open positions have been transformed into rest areas and viewpoints. One of the tunnels leads to a cliff with a view of the islet Kamik and the entrance to Medvidina Cave, while the open sea behind them provides Gatula with one of the most striking coastal landscapes of Biševo.
Coastal Artillery Battery Hidden in the Cape
The Gatula Battery was a stationary coastal artillery battery intended for monitoring and defending the maritime area south of Biševo.
What is most interesting is how it was integrated into the terrain.
The cannons did not simply stand on a large open concrete platform visible from the sea. The positions were arranged in such a way that they could be camouflaged in the natural rocky environment, while the spaces needed for the crew, communication, and longer stays were constructed in underground tunnels beneath the surface.
This system allowed soldiers to spend a significant amount of time protected within the cape, while the cannons could operate from open positions facing the sea.
Today, it is through these underground passages that one can best sense how much larger the former military facility was than what is visible from the outside.
Four Škoda 80 mm Cannons
Preserved military records provide a very concrete picture of the former battery.
The list of coastal artillery in the Adriatic from 1948 states that the battery on Biševo had four 80 mm caliber cannons, model 28, manufactured by Škoda.
A total of 5,088 rounds of ammunition were recorded for them.
The cannons are no longer on Gatula, but their positions clearly indicate where they were placed.
Each was situated in a separate open position connected to the tunnel system. Moving from one to another, it is easy to imagine how the entire battery functioned as a single military unit.
Why Was the Battery Built Here?
The location of Gatula makes a lot of sense when looking at a map.
Biševo is located southwest of Vis, exposed to the open Adriatic, and Cape Gatula extends into the southern maritime area.
From its shore, a wide sector of the sea approaching Vis from the west and south is monitored.
Vis and its archipelago had significant military importance during the 20th century precisely because of their position almost in the center of the Adriatic. Artillery positions, bunkers, tunnels, storage facilities, and other structures were built on Vis and the surrounding islands for the defense of the islands and maritime approaches.
Gatula is Biševo's example of this much broader military infrastructure.
Underground Tunnels Now Open to Visitors
Unlike many abandoned military tunnels on Vis, the facilities on Gatula are now renovated and illuminated.
Visitors can walk through rounded underground corridors and see how certain parts of the system were connected to the artillery positions.
In the summer months, the temperature difference between the external rocky terrain and the tunnels is particularly noticeable. While the surface of the cape heats up significantly under the sun, the interior remains considerably cooler.
Once military spaces, these areas now serve a different purpose – they are used for sightseeing, resting, and occasional cultural programs.
In the Gatula tunnel, even photography exhibitions are held, which is an interesting example of how the abandoned military infrastructure of Biševo has taken on a completely new function.
Viewpoint Towards Medvidina Cave and Kamik
One of the best parts of the visit is located towards the southern end of the complex.
The tunnel leads to an opening in the rock from which there is a view of the islet Kamik and the area of Medvidina Cave.
From this side, Medvidina Cave looks completely different than when approached by boat. The steepness of the southern coast of Biševo is much more visible from above, and the massive entrance of the cave is actually hidden in almost vertical rock.
In front of the coast lies the small rocky Kamik, exposed to the open sea.
The view from here gives a good sense of how Biševo is distanced from the characteristic landscape of more populated Dalmatian islands. There are no marinas, coastal roads, or large settlements – just rocks, sea, and a few offshore islets on the horizon.
One of the Better Viewpoints on the Southern Side of Biševo
Gatula is not the highest point on the island – that is Stražbenica at 239 meters – but due to its position directly above the steep southern coast, the view is very impressive.
It is especially beautiful on clear days when the horizon is unobstructed.
From here, a large part of the open sea south of Biševo can be seen, and the position is completely different from viewpoints facing Komiža and Vis.
Stražbenica is better for a broad panorama of the entire archipelago.
Gatula is preferable for experiencing the wild southern coast, Medvidina Cave, and the open Adriatic directly below.
Special Plants of Cape Gatula
Gatula is not interesting only because of its military history.
Three stenoendemic plant species have been recorded on the cape, meaning plants whose natural distribution area is extremely limited.
Among them are Stalijeva lazarkinja, dubrovačka zečina, and biševska mrižica.
Biševska mrižica is particularly interesting as it belongs to a group of plants adapted to life on coastal rocks, where salt, wind, drought, and strong sunlight constantly act.
Therefore, the area outside the designated paths should not be viewed as ordinary rocky terrain that can be freely walked on. What appears almost barren at first glance is actually a very specific and sensitive natural habitat.
Cape Gatula is Part of the Biševo Geostaza
Today, Geostaza Biševo leads to Gatula, a well-maintained network of walking routes that connects the most important natural and cultural sites of the island.
The new section of Geostaza connects the area of Poja and the Visitor Center with Stražbenica, Potok, and Cape Gatula.
Informational boards, signposts, rest areas, and other facilities have been placed along the trail, allowing the military battery to be visited not as an isolated location, but as part of a much larger tour of Biševo.
If you enjoy walking, Gatula is one of the best endpoints on the southern part of Geostaza.
How to Reach Cape Gatula?
Biševo is first reached by boat from Komiža, most often via Mezuporat.
A path leads from Mezuporat inland to the Visitor Center Blue Cave – Biševo, and from there, the Geostaza system can continue towards the southern part of the island and Gatula.
The battery can be accessed on foot or by bicycle, and the Visitor Center also organizes tours by electric shuttle vehicle with a guide.
The electric transport option is particularly good for visitors who want to see the battery but do not wish to cover larger distances on foot during the summer heat.
Tourist cars cannot reach Biševo from Vis.
Organized Tour of Gatula
The Visitor Center organizes a separate program Biševo Tour – Cape Gatula.
The tour includes transfer by electric vehicle from Mezuporat through the area of the Center to Gatula, along with a guide.
The tour does not only visit the military battery. The program also connects the viewpoint, Potok, Dry Lakes, and military tunnels with artillery positions.
The duration of the organized tour is approximately 100 to 120 minutes, depending on the program and group.
For a guest who has only one day on Biševo, this can be a very good way to see the interior and southern part of the island without extensive walking in the summer heat.
What are the Dry Lakes?
On the way to Gatula, one encounters one of Biševo's interesting geological landscapes – Dry Lakes.
The name may sound like it refers to actual dried-up lakes, but it refers to karst depressions in the interior of the island.
Such locations further demonstrate how geologically diverse Biševo is despite its small area.
The combination of karst terrain, sandy deposits, marine caves, and steep coastal cliffs is one of the reasons why Biševo is an important part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Vis Archipelago.
Best Time to Visit
During the summer, it is best to visit Gatula in the morning or late afternoon.
There is very little shade on the surface, the rocky terrain heats up significantly, and the path through the interior of the island can be strenuous in the middle of the day.
The military tunnels, however, are a completely different story – the temperature inside is noticeably lower, making it comfortable even during extreme heat.
Spring, June, September, and early autumn are particularly good for walking, when the entire route can be traversed without extreme heat.
In spring, there is the added advantage of much richer vegetation than in the dry summer.
Gatula After the Blue Cave
A very good plan is to combine Gatula with other attractions of Biševo.
After a morning visit to the Blue Cave, one can head from Mezuporat to the Visitor Center, explore its multimedia exhibit, and then continue towards Gatula.
If using the organized shuttle, the entire route is significantly easier.
After returning, one can have lunch at the Gatula Restaurant near the Center or continue to Porat and Salbunari for swimming.
This way, a day on Biševo is not limited to a few minutes spent in the Blue Cave, but includes a completely different side of the island – military history, geology, walking, and views of the open Adriatic.
Starry Sky Above Gatula
Biševo has very little artificial lighting, making it one of the more interesting locations for stargazing.
The Visitor Center also highlights Gatula as a space where evening star observations can be organized.
This is not surprising.
When daytime boat traffic and lights from the mainland disappear, the southern side of Biševo remains turned towards the vast dark expanse of open sea.
For those who have the opportunity to stay overnight on the island, the night experience of Gatula is completely different from a daytime visit.
Is Gatula Suitable for Children?
For older children who enjoy tunnels and military history, it can be very interesting.
The underground corridors, former artillery positions, and the viewpoint are much more tangible than classic readings of historical plaques.
With younger children, one should consider walking, strong sunlight, and uneven natural terrain, so organized transport by electric shuttle is a more practical option.
Within the designated areas of the battery, it is important to stay on marked paths and not explore unrenovated openings or parts of the complex outside the intended route.
A Cape that Connects the Military and Natural Story of Biševo
Cape Gatula is one of the best examples of why Biševo should not be reduced to just the Blue Cave.
In just a few hundred meters, military tunnels, artillery positions, rare endemic plants, steep coastal cliffs, and views towards Medvidina Cave and Kamik converge.
The battery further demonstrates that the strategic value of the Vis Archipelago was not limited to the large island of Vis alone.
Even the small Biševo had its own coastal defense system with four cannons and underground spaces developed enough for the crew to stay for extended periods within the cape.
Today, this same infrastructure has been transformed into a place for relaxation, sightseeing, exhibitions, and landscape observation.
If you have more than a few hours on Biševo, Cape Gatula and the former coastal artillery battery are among the most interesting places worth including in your tour of the island.
Location: Cape Gatula, southern part of the island of Biševo
English Name: Cape Gatula and Gatula Coastal Artillery Battery
Type of Attraction: Military heritage, viewpoint, and natural site
Type of Battery: Stationary coastal artillery battery
Number of Artillery Positions: 4
Armament According to the 1948 List: Four Škoda cannons model 28, caliber 80 mm
Ammunition According to the 1948 List: 5,088 rounds
Underground Facilities: Tunnels and connected military passages
Current Condition: Renovated, secured, and illuminated parts of the complex
View: Islet Kamik, Medvidina Cave, and the open Adriatic
Special Flora: Several rare and stenoendemic plant species
Access by Car: No
Access: On foot or by bicycle via Geostaza and organized electric shuttle
Organized Tour: Available through the Visitor Center Blue Cave – Biševo
Best Combined With: Visitor Center, Geostaza Biševo, Medvidina Cave, Stražbenica, and Potok
Best For: Military history, hiking, panoramic views, and exploring the lesser-known side of Biševo
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