Grab a bottle of wine and head up to the Barcelona bunkers on the top of Mt. Carmel for the most beautiful panoramic view the city has to offer.
The bunkers have quickly become Barcelona's most beautiful hangout spot, bringing in a plethora of people every night who sit together to socialize and take in the city's skyline. Although it has evolved to become the must-see attraction that it is, the history of the bunkers is one that should not be overlooked.
The history behind the structure
The Spanish Civil War was fought between the Republicans and the Nationalists from 1936 to 1939. Political unrest between the two parties came to a climax when an uprising was led against the country's democratically elected republic. During the war, an antiaircraft bunker was built at the top of Mt. Carmel. Sitting at 260 meters high, the bunkers were created to protect the city of Barcelona from bombings. During the war, the Francoist army and their fascist ally's in Italy began to attack Barcelona in a series of massive air raids. These attacks made Barcelona the first large city in history to fall victim to numerous large air raids.
Along with the antiaircraft bunkers, other precautions were taken in order to defend the city from destruction. Active defense strategies were used to repel air raids and passive defense strategies were used to protect citizens from harm during air raids.
The defense strategy team considered Mt. Carmel to be the best location for an antiaircraft structure because it could cover a large firing distance without putting too many Spanish civilians at risk.
The General Command of Engineers drew the plans for the project in May of 1937. A few months later the bases were built. By March of 1938, the battery was expanded to include larger cannons.
Due to the lack of modern technology during the time, there was little guidance on how to successfully predict attacks. This made the defense of the city incredibly difficult. Additionally, the army's materials were few and far between and quality weapons were hard to come by.
Creating antiaircraft barriers, like the one on Mt. Carmel, created a guard around the city that caused the enemy to have to fly over a large amount of fire in order to successfully attack Barcelona.
After its withdrawal in January of 1939, the republican army left many of its disabled artillery scattered through the city. This brought many visitors to see what the military defense of Barcelona really looked like up close and personal.
Today tons of visitors travel to the Mt. Carmel Bunkers to spend time with loved ones and get a great view of the city but in order to experience the Bunkers in all of their glory, it's important to note their intricate history.
Getting there
There are a few ways to get up to the bunkers. For those up for an athletic challenge, you can hike up Mt. Carmel to get to the spot. There is a paved walkway and multiple sets of steps that will help guide your way. Be prepared to walk up a steep incline for about 20 minutes. The walk up to the bunkers is definitely not for the faint of heart.
For those not looking for a physical challenge, you can take a public bus or hire a taxi that will bring you up near the top. Then you just complete a short five-minute walk from the road to the bunkers themselves.
While the walk up can be difficult, walking down is much less of a problem, being that the path is completely downhill the way back. That being said, comfortable walking shoes are still essential.
What to pack
It has become a tradition for friends to gather on blankets and towels on the bunkers and take in the city's view over shared wine and tapas.
So, if you plan on visiting the bunkers yourself, plan on bringing something to sit on and a snack and beverage of your choice in order to get the full experience.
When to arrive
The most popular time to visit the Bunkers is at sunset. Many people gather to see the sky turn pick over the Barcelona city landscape.
If you would like an additional treat, stick around until after it gets dark. The crowds begin to die down and seeing the city all lit up brings a different element to the view altogether.
Taking it in
When you reach the top, you will see the old large cement bunkers which have now been covered in unique graffiti. While graffiti is usually unwelcome on landmarks, the graffiti gives the bunker’s visitors a unique taste of Spanish street are that can definitely be appreciated
Many parts of the bunker create ledges that hang over the mountain side, allowing visitors to get a beautiful unobstructed view of the city.
Be sure to check out the view from both sides of the bunker. From the front you can see all the way over the city to the ocean.
Nicole Sherman was visiting Barcelona with her daughter from New Jersey and came to the Bunkers after receiving a recommendation to go from a friend.
"Seeing the city from the streets is beautiful, but seeing it from up here brings us a whole new perspective," Nicole said.
The social scene
The Bunkers can easily be named one of Barcelona's most incredible hangout spots. The views certainly help, but the culture of people gathered together is truly fantastic. All gathered together along the concrete structure are groups of young friends and families from all over the world socializing and appreciating the beauty of the city. You can find people playing card games, listening to music, catching up and taking photos together.
While it's easy to take in the Bunker's beautiful view, it is also equally as valuable to take in the unique social environment that the once military occupied structure has turned into.
Sarah Walsh and her friends gathered at the top of the bunker one evening for drinks and a spectacular view. The group, from Dublin, was concluding a trip that they had taken together and wanted to end the trip on a sentimental note. They drank Spanish wine, recounted memories of their trip together and even sang a traditional Irish song.
"Being able to see the entire city after having such a nice time feels very surreal," Sarah said.
"This was the perfect ending to a great trip," added her friend Kelvin.
A Barcelona must-visit
The Bunkers should surely be making their way onto the list of every Barcelona traveler's things to do. The uniqueness of the social atmosphere, architecture and view make it an experience like no other. So while you're in Barcelona, grab a bottle of wine, a blanket, some cheese and friends and head up to the Bunkers for an unforgettable evening.
Comments