Aircraft Shelter 977 on Carrer de Matanzas: A Silent Witness to the History of Barcelona

Introduction to the Forgotten Heritage

Barcelona, ​​an effervescent city of culture, art and life, hides within its urban heart traces of a turbulent past that often goes unnoticed. aircraft shelter 977, located in the neighborhood of Congress and Indians, is an indelible mark of the Spanish Civil War, a magically preserved witness that evokes the dark days of the bombings of the city. Today, this entry will take you back to a time when survival was the ultimate art, and history was recorded underground.

The Construction of an Underground Hope

Conceived as urban life preservers, air raid shelters such as refugio 977 became the last refuge of the Barcelona population. From its beginning in the fall of 1936, the function of this refuge was clear: to offer protection against the incessant fascist bombings. The engineer Ramon Perera, assigned by the Passive Defense Board, devised a network of underground shelters that incorporated innovative security features such as Catalan vaults and zigzag entrances, which proved to be a surprising effectiveness against air attacks.

Rediscovery and Memory

With entrances originally opening from the side of the staircase of a block of flats or directly from the street, the air raid shelter on Carrer de Matanzas was rediscovered in 2007 during a series of remodeling works on Carrer de Pinar del Río This rediscovery served to remind the present generations of the sacrifice and resistance of those who used these spaces as hiding places during times of war. However, despite the importance of the site, it is currently not open to the public, leaving interest and curiosity unsatisfied.

The Exploded Bakery and The Internal State of Refuge

The history of the sant jordi refuge and Carrer de Matanzas is still latent in the Barcelona underground. Commemorative plaques, such as the one located in the Esclat bakery, mark the entry points to the network of shelters used to protect lives. Originally with three entrances, now walled off, the shelter extends through a hidden tunnel where vestiges of daily life in times of conflict can still be seen.

Engineering fact and Civic Commitment

The design of these shelters was a brilliant example of passive defense against armed aggression. With a robust structure made of Catalan vault and with the use of resistant materials, air raid shelters became essential fortifications for the civilian population. The fact that there are no known fatalities inside these shelters speaks to the genius and value with which they were designed and used.

Exploring the Shelters of Barcelona

In Barcelona, ​​the history of air raid shelters is extensive and diverse. Many of them, like the one on Calle de Matanzas, are still waiting to be explored and opened to the public, but others already offer an educational and emotional experience for visitors. It is possible to visit some of these historic spaces, thus allowing us to immerse ourselves in the living accounts of the city's disturbing past.

Conclusion: Preserving the Underground History of Barcelona

The anti-aircraft shelter 977 on Carrer de Matanzas is more than a fragment of history; it is a call to reflection on human resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. At a time when tourism is mostly concentrated around the cheerful life of the city, it is important to remember that the roots of contemporary Barcelona are also found in the quiet darkness of its underground shelters.

Although the access to the air raid shelter in Matanzas remains closed, its memory remains alive through plaques, witnesses and the work of historical dissemination. Despite their invisibility in today's urban skyline, the presence of these buildings remains a crucial part of the essence of Barcelona and its commitment to the preservation of collective memory.