Shelter 307, Civil War air-raid shelter in Poble Sec, Barcelona, Spain
Shelter 307 is an underground air-raid complex with 200 meters of tunnels whose walls are painted white brick, three entrances, and corridors measuring 2.1 meters high and 2 meters wide. The compact structure shows how many people were housed in a limited underground space.
The shelter was built between 1937 and 1939 by engineers and citizens to protect residents from Italian aerial attacks during the Spanish Civil War. The underground facility was created out of urgent necessity to keep civilians safe from constant bombing raids during that period.
The shelter displays original facilities including separate toilets, a small infirmary, and a water fountain that reflect how people lived during bombing raids. These preserved details help visitors understand the daily life of families in this cramped underground space.
Visits are best planned around guided tours offered regularly by a local museum that explain the facilities and layout in detail. It is helpful to check online beforehand to understand current opening hours and reservation requirements, as groups often need to book in advance.
After the war, families occupied the shelter for extended periods, and one resident built a permanent fireplace near an exit during the 1940s. This adaptation shows how civilians continued to live in this underground space even after the conflict ended.
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