Barcelona, June 4 – During recent archaeological work surrounding the l’Abaceria Market in Barcelona, an unfinished air-raid shelter from 1937 has been uncovered. This discovery is believed to be a structure used during the Spanish Civil War, according to preserved documentation.
Details of the Discovered Shelter
The Barcelona City Council has confirmed that the structure is a gallery-type shelter. A 68-meter section of the shelter has been preserved, measuring approximately 1.10 meters in width and 2 meters in height. It was designed to accommodate around 240 people.
The characteristics of the shelter suggest it could correspond to the R.0230 shelter, which was utilized during Barcelona’s Passive Defense efforts and funded through public subsidies. However, the absence of revêtement in certain sections indicates that it may have been an unfinished construction.
Distinguishing the New Find from Previous Discoveries
This recent discovery is distinct from another shelter previously documented years ago beneath the l’Abaceria Market. The earlier find corresponded to a different construction and may be identifiable as shelters 1195 or 0008.
Future of the Site
Given that the structure is not fully completed and some clay sections are crushed, the shelter will be closed with a register after its documentation. This measure will ensure it remains accessible for potential inspections by technical personnel in the future.
The ongoing archaeological work continues to shed light on Barcelona’s rich historical past, particularly its role and experiences during the Spanish Civil War.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-06-04/localizan-un-refugio-antiaereo-inacabado-de-1937-en-el-mercado-de-labaceria-de-barcelona.html
