Xploration date 06/10/2019
This ex-military base once hosted nuclear capable missiles and is rumored to have hidden an atomic bunker. What became of the Zelo Base?

The History of the Former Zelo Base of the 79th IT Group
Located near Rovigo, the Zelo area represents an important chapter in Italian military history, particularly linked to the presence of the Italian Air Force and its facilities supporting aerial operations.

The 79th IT Group (Interception Technicians), also known as “Zelo,” was one of the key units of Italian air defense during the Cold War years. Its main role was to manage and control interception and air defense systems, ensuring the surveillance of the national airspace against potential intrusions.

The Zelo base was built in the 1950s, a period marked by a significant increase in Italy’s military capabilities in response to the international tensions of that era. Its strategic location near Rovigo allowed for effective monitoring of the airspace over northeastern Italy and the eastern borders, ensuring the security of the country’s most sensitive areas.

Over the years, the facility was equipped with sophisticated radar and communication systems, becoming a reference point for air defense operations. The presence of the 79th IT Group contributed significantly to interception capabilities and rapid response in the face of aerial threats.

Nike Hercules and Ajax
The Zelo base was armed with nuclear capable Nike Hercules and Nike Ajax missiles, whose main purpose was to intercept and destroy any invading enemy aircraft entering northeastern Italian airspace. Whilst the Nike Ajax missile was the first type of surface-to-air missile to be used by NATO countries, the Nike Hercules was the nuclear capable and cheaper to use upgrade offering much more options with respect to its predecessor. The Nike missiles were in service from 1951 up until 2007 and were replaced by the modern Patriot system

A friend’s home
I was lucky enough to have known a fellow urban explorer who used to live at this base as a child. His father was based at Zelo, although it was never clear what he did. When the base closed in 1997, the family was moved away from the military housing, however this friend would often visit his old home and once shared with me old photos, one showing an old disused Nike Hercules missile proped up pointing to the sky, a monument to past times.

The future
As time went on, and with technological advancements, many of the structures and functions of the Zelo base were gradually decommissioned or transferred to other sites. Today, the old base stands as an important memory of an era when Italy was preparing to face the challenges of the Cold War, bearing witness to the commitment and dedication of the Italian armed forces in defending the territory.
As of 2024 the logistics area of the base was demolished and replaced with a solar panel farm. The control tower still remains standing as does the main entrance, albeit missing some important characterist elements.

The memory lives on
The memory of Zelo and the 79th IT Group remains alive in Italian military history, symbolizing a past of vigilance and security, and representing a valuable historical heritage for the local community and aviation history enthusiasts. Past military personell would visit their old base and leave their mark on the entrance’s wall, many having served as part of their military service.

The main gate was adorned with a mural decipting the 79th group’s latest logo, a frog sticking it’s tongue out ready to capture its prey. The tongue represented the missile intercepting 3 insects (enemy targets) whilst the blue arrow decipted the rivers flowing in the base’s territory.

But why was the logo a frog? In 1987 new inexperienced recruits were sent to the base and the commanders had very low expectations from them. However these recruits performed exceptionally well landing the 79th group 3rd place in a national competion. The logo demonstrates that even an ugly frog can become a prince.

Thank you for taking an interest in this article and please enjoy the complete gallery of photos below.