There are scars on the streets that, rather than being hidden away, deserve to be visited so we don’t forget where we came from. Beneath Barcelona’s asphalt, the silence of history still echoes in spaces that served as a shield and saved lives. One of these hidden spots is Air-Raid Shelter 312-3, a true time capsule from the Civil War that will very soon cease to be a secret and open its doors to residents on a permanent basis.
The city government has taken the first step toward making this space, located on Antic del Guinardó Street, open to visitors. With a budget of 14,641 euros, the city has put out a call for bids for the work needed to prepare the interior. The goal is for the public to be able to safely enter the very place that protected the neighborhood’s residents from falling bombs during the conflict.
A discreet entrance steeped in history
To find this piece of Barcelona’s history, you have to walk with your eyes wide open. The entrance goes almost unnoticed, hidden behind a small, unassuming metal door. It’s located right in front of Mas Guinardó, a building that now serves a different purpose, housing various neighborhood organizations. However, crossing that modest metal threshold means plunging suddenly into the very heart of the war.
Before anyone can walk through its corridors and feel the weight of history, the shelter needs some refurbishment. This injection of just over 14,000 euros will be used specifically to restore the space and prepare it for regular visits. Although we’ll still have to wait a little while for the work to be completed, the countdown to restoring and exploring this piece of Guinardó’s history is now officially underway.
