Part of the Zara-class heavy cruisers consisting of the Zara, Fiume, Gorizia and Pola, preceded by the Trento-class and succeeded by the Bolzano-class. Laid down by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste, Italy on 29 April 1929, launched on 27 April 1930, commissioned on 23 November 1931 and sunk in the Battle of Matapan against the British fleet on 29 March 1941.
With a displacement of 11.680 (standard)-13.944 (full load) tons and as dimensions 179,6 (waterline)-182,8 (over all) x 20,6 x 7,2 metres or 599.6 x 67.7 x 23.7 feet. The machinery consisted of 2 Parsons steam turbines and 8 oil fired Yarrow boilers supplying 95.000 shp allowing a speed of 29 (service)-32 knots and with a speed of 16 knots a range of 5.361 nautical miles. Crew numbered 841 men. Armament consisted of 4x2-20,3cm/8” /53cal guns, 8x2-10cm/4” /46 cal guns, 6x1-4cm /1.6”Vickers-Terni cal 39 guns and 4x2-12,7mm/0.50” machineguns. The secondary armament was regularly changed in her career. Carried 2 IMAM Ro 43 seaplanes with her for which she was fitted out with a hangar fore and a catapult. Armour consisted of a 7cm/2.8” thick deck, a 15cm/5.9” thick belt. 15cm/5.9” thick turret faces and with the barbettes protected by 15cm/5.9”.
