First of the omonimous class, the heavy cruiser ZARA was built by the Odero Terni Orlando shipyard in La Spezia. Launched the 27th of April 1930, she was accepted from the REGIA MARINA the 20th October 1931.
Built in accordance with the 1929 Washington treaty, the R.N. ZARA was a very fast ship, with a registered speed of 35.23 knots under the power of 120,690 HP.
The ZARA was involved in the 2nd World War directly from the beginning; the 11th of June 1940 she was hunting British Ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
After his partecipation at the battles of Punta Stilo and Gaudo, the ZARA was sunk during the tragically night of Mattapan.
Badly damaged by the fire of superiors British forces the R.N. ZARA self sunk the night of 29th April 1941.