Recovering the memory of the Civil War in Poble-sec

War is a terrible evil, but those who have not lived through it cannot remember it; that is why, to avoid falling into it once again, it is so important to remind the public of the disasters that a conflict brings. This is what Refugi 307 does in Poble-sec, one of the facilities of the Barcelona History Museum. Want to see it? This August, come on a Sunday.

There are weekly visits for the general public (it is recommended to book a week in advance) in Catalan, Spanish, and English, during which you will tour the space—unless you are claustrophobic, because although it is not small, it is still an underground space.

The shelter was created at a time when wars had changed. They were no longer fought only on the battlefield as before, but the civilian population itself—buildings, factories, and hospitals—had become targets for bombers. For the first time, people had to seek refuge underground to protect themselves from fascist aviation, which is why spaces like this one were dug throughout the city.

It has around four hundred meters of vaulted tunnels, 1.6 meters wide and two meters high. Two thousand people could shelter from the bombs at the same time. There is an area for toilets, an infirmary, and even a room for children and a fireplace, all part of the complex you will visit.

It is one of those built by the Catalan Government and the City Council of the time. Initially, metro stations and the basements of private buildings were used, but as the bombings intensified, shelters like Refugi 307 were built—one among nearly a thousand that appeared throughout the urban area.

If you want to experience something that will remind you of the hardships endured in times of war, do not miss a visit to Refugi 307 at the Barcelona History Museum—but check the website for visit details beforehand.