Valencia's air-raid shelters

Valencia underground: the Civil War shelters

Discover the legacy of Valencia when it was the capital of the Republic. A journey through the architecture of survival and the design that protected an entire city under the bombs.

Valencia, capital of resistance and design

In 1936, Valencia became the seat of the Republican Government and a strategic target. Faced with the bombings, the city responded with ingenuity: more than 50 shelters were built and 200 basements were converted. Today, these structures are time capsules that pay tribute to memory and the creative talent that flourished even during the war.

The DNA of design: signs with history

The typography of the shelter signs has transcended decades. Those Art Deco signs did not only signal safety, but also demonstrated Valencian graphic talent. Such is their value that they inspire current brands and were protagonists when Valencia was World Design Capital, reminding us that art always finds its way.

Town Hall Shelter

Located in the town hall's school group, it is one of the best preserved. Upon entering, you can feel the original atmosphere and see the benches where the children took shelter. An essential exercise in memory to understand daily life under siege and the importance of education in critical times.

Visit it

Bombas Gens Shelter

Part of a former hydraulic pump factory (and now an art center), this shelter stands out for its impeccable condition. It preserves original inscriptions on the walls and offers a unique perspective on the protection of industrial workers, merging industrial archaeology with war history and design.

Learn more

Serranos Street Shelter

Located very close to the famous towers, this restored space showcases the solidity of its vaulted walls. Walking through its corridors is to connect directly with the fear and hope of the historic center's residents, a living history lesson that surprises with its sober and effective architecture.

I want to see it

Massarrojos Shelter

The only rural-style shelter that can be visited within the municipality. Excavated directly into the rock, this space provided protection for the residents of the village. It is a fascinating example of how defense engineering adapted to the different terrains and resources of the Valencian geography.

Alta Street Shelter

Located in the heart of the Barrio del Carmen, this vaulted shelter is one of the most iconic in the city. Its architecture and location make it a key piece for understanding how passive defense was organized in the most densely populated areas of the old town during the conflict.

I'm going to see it

Espada and Tetuán Street Shelter

A strategic construction that served to protect the civilian population in a high-activity area. It stands out for its functional design and for preserving that historical trace that allows us to imagine daily life under siege, now integrated as a landmark of memory in the modern urban landscape.

Visit it