The lead ship of her class of four heavy cruisers for the Italian navy, Zara was launched on 27 April 1930. Commissioned into the Regia Marina on 20 October 1931, she took an active part in naval operations in the Mediterranean along with her sisters Fiume, Pola and Gorizia.
During the Battle of Cape Matapan, Zara and Fiume were sent to protect Pola which had been hit by an aerial torpedo. During the night, the three cruisers were surprized by a force of three British battleships (HMS Warspite, Valiant and Barham). All three heavy cruisers were lost.
Zara, likely in the mid 1930’sZara In port in 1935, possibly at NaplesZara on May 5, 1938Zara. Photographed in 1938 while conducting gunnery firing to portZara. Photographed in 1938 while conducting gunnery firing to portIMAM Ro.43 reconnaissance seaplane in the catapult of the heavy cruiser Zara, January 1940Zara in Battle of Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Zara during the Battle of Point StriloHeavy cruisers Fiume, Gorizia, Zara and Pola in the battle near Punta Stilo, July 9, 1940Zara at Messina, March 23, 1942 after the 2nd Battle of SirteZara and FiumeZaraZara37mm AA on a Zara class cruiserZaraZaraZaraZara firing her 8 gunsThe bow 203 mm (8 inch) turrets of the Italian heavy cruiser Zara with the guns at maximum elevationTwin 100mm AA on a Zara class cruiserThe crew of a twin 100 mm DP mount at work, aboard the heavy cruiser Zara, January 1941The muzzle of a 203 mm (8 inch) Modello 1927 of the Italian heavy cruiser Zara
