Many bunkers in Spain distributed throughout the national geography. They are vestiges of wars that our country has suffered and some of them may even go unnoticed because they are integrated into the landscape and in a state of abandonment.
However, others will draw your attention due to their dimensions and their robust appearance. On the other hand, we can also consider bunkers to other types of facilities. We refer to fallout shelters such as those existing, for example, in the Moncloa Palace de Madrid or Torrejon de Ardoz military base, also in the autonomous community of Madrid. But the latter cannot be visited. Therefore, we will focus on the first type of bunkers in Spain, which are the ones you can get to know.
Bilbao Iron Belt
Bilbao Iron Belt, one of the best preserved sets of bunkers in Spain
It is probably the most important fortification of those existing in our country. It was built during the Civil War and consists of two defensive lines separated by about two hundred meters. They surrounded the Basque city to better defend it. In total, there were about one hundred and eighty bunkers, usually joined by trenches.
If you want to visit it, we recommend that you do it through the area of the Mount Archanda, one of the best preserved parts. In addition, you can access it through the famous funicular and, incidentally, appreciate wonderful views of the city and its surroundings. Without forgetting that you have magnificent hiking trails through this mountain and the nearby ones.
Algeciras Bay Fortification
One of the bunkers in the Algeciras complex
Among the bunkers in Spain, this set is one of the best preserved. The Bay of Algeciras was, due to its proximity to Gibraltar, a particularly sensitive area during World War II. For this reason, this spectacular defensive set was built.
It consisted of three lines. The first included six rows of dragon teeth. This name is given to small pyramidal constructions that are placed on the ground to prevent the passage of vehicles. Behind her, followed a minefield and a second line also with obstacles on the ground. Finally, the third line was composed of eight bunkers and the set was completed with several machine gun nests located in bordering areas such as Sierra Carbonera or San Roque.
If you want to know this fortification, we advise you to start with the bunkers near The Line of the Conception, whose City Council has rehabilitated them and created a specific route to visit them. But also in the town of Algeciras, specifically in its Centennial Park, you can see several of them.
Vertex Parapets
Vertex Parapetos, one of the bunkers in Aragon
This name is given to a fortified complex that you can visit in the vicinity of Jaulin, in the province of Zaragoza. In addition, it will be easy for you to find it because it is located on both sides of the road that connects this town with sourceall.
It consists of four bunkers rectangular and with loopholes of the type called square post. In addition, in its central part they had a small warehouse and a rest area. Precisely, in the municipality of Fuendetodos you can also see the Vertex of Sierra Gorda, another set of bunkers built as a defense against the previous ones. In this case, there are four pillboxes, several parapets and advanced guard posts.
Camposoto, sample of the bunkers in Spain to defend the coast
One of the Camposoto bunkers
They present the curiosity of being in full Camposoto Beach (Cádiz), from which they receive their name. They are two buildings distributed from north to south that are currently in quite poor condition. But they can still be visited. If you do, you will be surprised to find them in the same sand on the beach.
On the other hand, since you are in this area, take the opportunity to visit San Fernando, where you will find other examples of military architecture such as the castles of San Romualdo and Sancti Petri or the defensive batteries of the Punta del Boqueron. But you can also see other types of monuments such as the main church of San Pedro and San Pablo or the hermitage of Cerro de los Mártires.
Albendin
Bunker in the Albendín
You can also see bunkers in this Cordovan district belonging to Baena. In this case, they are small constructions intended to monitor the area and are in a good state of conservation.
On the other hand, since you are in this place, you can visit the church of Santa Maria and the peculiar Ferris wheel that reproduces the old ones made by Arabs. Also, already in Baena, we advise you to see monuments such as the castle and walled enclosure of the Almendina, the churches of Our Lady of Guadalupe and San Francisco or houses such as those of the Countess and Tercia. Not surprisingly, many of the buildings in this town are included in the Andalusian Historical Heritage.
Nules bunkers
Nules bunkers
Likewise, it will be easy for you to find these bunkers in the province of Castellón, since they are also at the foot of the AP-7 road. They are four independent buildings, that is, they do not have communication between them. They all have a trapezoidal plan and a length that varies between fifteen and eighteen meters. As for its height, it also varies from three to almost four meters. Likewise, its roofs are semicircular and in the form of a lowered vault. Finally, they all have a machine gun nest with a circular base.
On the other hand, since you are in Nules, be sure to visit churches like those of the Holy Family and the Immaculate, Museums such as the History or Medalist museums and the Alcazar theater. But above all, get close to Mascarell a small walled town of medieval origin.
Bunkers of Cerro del Aceitunillo
One of the bunkers of Cerro del Aceitunillo, in Luque (Córdoba)
Located near the Cordoba town of Luque, on a hill almost six hundred meters high, you will also see them near the road. In this case, it is a central fortification and three machine gun nests. The first is shaped like a prism, with a diameter of nine meters and a height of two. However, the base is partially below ground, which means that once inside, it will seem taller to you.
For their part, the machine gun nests have a dome shape, a circular floor plan and two embrasures each. They measure about two meters and are connected to the central fortress through concrete galleries.
On the other hand, take advantage of your tour of the bunkers in Spain and your stay in Aceitunillo to visit Luque. It has the spectacular castle venice, an Arab fortress whose age is not confirmed. You can also see the parish church of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in the XNUMXth century following Renaissance canons, and the hermitages of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, San Bartolomé or Nuestra Señora de la Aurora. But above all, get close to the enchanted cave, which houses reproductions of cave paintings.
El Capricho, among the largest bunkers in Spain
Bunker of Capricho, in Madrid
Located in the Madrid park of the same name, it is of dimensions rarely seen in our country. It was built to house the headquarters of the central republican army during the defense of Madrid. It is an imposing construction of two thousand square meters that reaches up to fifteen underground. Also, it will give you an idea of its resistance and strength the fact that it could withstand bombs of up to one hundred kilograms.
On the other hand, take advantage of your visit to the Capricho Park to get to know it well, as it is one of the most beautiful in Madrid. Among its wonders, in addition to the gardens, you have the houses of Cañas and de la Vieja, the Dance Casino, the Beekeeper or the Hermitage. But also fountains such as the Delfines and the Octagonal, statues such as the monument to the Duke of Osuna, the Wheel of Saturn or the Temple of Bacchus and squares such as the one in the emperors.
Those of the caprice are not the only bunkers that you can see in Madrid and its surroundings. in another park, the west, you will also find several from the same period, although much less spectacular.
Punta Falconera bunkers
Punta Falconera bunkers
In this privileged place of the Costa Brava, fully integrated Cap de Creus Natural Park and next to Roses, five bunkers were built for coastal surveillance. Curiously, in this case, it was good for the conservation of this wonderful natural space, because the presence of the military prevented real estate speculation.
As in the previous cases, you can also take advantage of your visit to Punta Falconera to visit the nearby town of Rosas. And, by the way, meet another great defensive construction. We talk about the Citadel, built in the XNUMXth century to protect the town. Also, within it are the remains of Rhodes, an ancient Greek town around which Rosas was built.
We also advise you to visit the remains of the trinity castle, from the XVI, and the monastery of Santa María. And, likewise, the church of the same name, in neoclassical style, and the Visigoth fort of Puig Rom, in whose area there is also a viewpoint that offers spectacular views of the Empordà, on the one hand, and of the Medes islands, for other. Finally, do not forget to approach the megalithic complex.
In conclusion, we have shown you some of the main bunkers in Spain. But we could tell you about many others. For example, that of Altea, the the Carmel en BarcelonaThat of Santa Ursula in Tenerife or the singular blockhouse of Colmenar del Arroyo, in the community of Madrid. Don't you think it's an alternative way of doing tourism?