Slana concentration camp

Slana concentration camp (Slana Bay) is a site of remembrance on the Croatian island of Pag, in the municipality of Novalja. In 1941 the Ustaše ran a camp here, part of a system of camps and killing pits that stretched from Gospić across the Velebit mountains to the island of Pag. It is not a typical tourist attraction but one of the most difficult chapters of Adriatic history.

What was the Slana camp?

Slana was a concentration camp, described by Wikipedia as an extermination camp too, run by the Ustaše of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). It belonged to the Gospić – Jadovno – island of Pag complex. The men's camp at Slana Bay stood near Metajna, where a women's camp also operated. Some sources call it the first camp established by the NDH.

When did it operate?

Sources disagree on the dates. Wikipedia gives late June to the second half of August 1941. Other accounts date its founding to mid-April 1941. The camp closed in the summer of 1941, after Italy reoccupied the zone. Its last prisoners were later sent to Jasenovac and, according to one source, became that camp's first inmates.

How many people died?

The death toll is disputed. Wikipedia lists 4,000 to 12,000, counting the women's camp at Metajna as well. Other estimates run from 15,000 to 40,000 or more. A 1953 history of Pag speaks of "some thousands", while communist-era accounts reached ten thousand and beyond. Some authors argue that the postwar authorities inflated such figures for political reasons. Any number should therefore be treated with care, and it is worth checking who is citing it.

How is the site remembered?

A memorial plaque was first placed in 1975. In 2010 and 2013 renovated versions were installed by the Serb National Council and a coordination of Jewish municipalities, and both were destroyed. Another plaque was unveiled in June with the involvement of the Novalja mayor. According to the organisation Documenta, it was destroyed for the fourth time since 1991, and the organisation has called for Croatian authorities to investigate.

Slana remains largely unknown to the wider Croatian public, and there is no permanent memorial close to the bay. Ante Zemljar, a communist from Pag, described helping organise a wreath-laying at the Pag cemetery for the victims, which he recalled as the first public commemoration.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Slana camp?

On the island of Pag, at Slana Bay in the municipality of Novalja, Croatia. The coordinates are roughly 44.498 N, 15.051 E.

Is it an official tourist attraction?

No. It is a place of remembrance with little infrastructure and no permanent monument near the bay. Visitors should come quietly and with respect.

Who ran the camp?

The Ustaše, the authorities of the Independent State of Croatia, during the Second World War.

Why do the victim numbers differ so much?

Complete documentation is lacking, and later accounts were sometimes shaped by politics. Wikipedia gives 4,000 to 12,000, while other estimates are several times higher.

What happened to the prisoners when it closed?

When Italy occupied the zone in August 1941, the camp was wound down. The last prisoners were taken to Jasenovac.

Can I see the memorial plaque?

The plaque has been set up and destroyed several times, so its current state is uncertain. Check with local remembrance organisations such as Documenta before visiting.