Ictineo II, Historical submarine replica in Gothic Quarter, Spain
The Ictineo II is a 14-meter-long replica of a historical submarine built with a wooden hull and copper plating. The vessel displays the technical solutions that engineers of the 19th century developed to navigate underwater.
The original vessel was built in Barcelona's port in 1864 and was one of the first working submarines in the world. Its construction showed that people could work scientifically to create machines that traveled underwater.
The vessel is named after an ancient diving device and honors the Catalan inventor Narcis Monturiol, who pioneered underwater engineering work in Barcelona. Visitors can see the careful craftsmanship in the wooden construction and copper plating, which show how engineers of that era built such machines.
The model is located near the port and is easy to reach by metro. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the surrounding area invites walking.
The vessel used a chemical reaction system with zinc and other materials to power its steam engine instead of ordinary burning. This was an unusual method that shows how resourceful engineers were back then.
Location: Gothic Quarter
Official opening: October 2, 1864
Length: 14 m
GPS coordinates: 41.37960,2.18337
Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46
These preserved submarines open their hatches to visitors who want to see where sailors lived and fought beneath the ocean surface. From World War II patrol boats that hunted across the Pacific to the first nuclear-powered vessel that changed naval history forever, each submarine reveals the cramped reality of underwater service. You walk through narrow steel corridors, peer into bunks stacked three high, and stand where officers once studied charts and gave orders in near silence. The collection includes vessels from harbors across the United States and around the world, each one a working museum where the instruments, torpedo tubes, and engine rooms remain as they were during active duty. Some of these submarines sank enemy warships and rescued Allied prisoners during the Second World War. Others served through the Cold War, carrying crews on patrols that lasted weeks without seeing daylight. A few pushed the limits of technology, proving that nuclear reactors could power a vessel across thousands of miles and even under the polar ice. Whether docked in a busy port or resting beside a quiet lake, these submarines bring you face to face with the men who descended into the deep, closed the hatch, and did their work in spaces smaller than a city bus.
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