Barcelona has a special corner that offers a unique perspective of the city. That place is known as the Búnkeres del Carmel.
Located at the top of the Turó de la Rovira in Carmel, the Búnkeres del Carmel offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the city from more than 260 meters above sea level.
This viewpoint is a historical testimony and a hidden gem worth discovering during your visit to Barcelona as a legacy of the Civil War.
The Carmel Bunkers have a history that dates back to the Spanish Civil War. They were conceived as an anti-aircraft battery designed to counter Italian aerial bombardment.
They used a tactic known as “carpet bombing.” This tactic resulted in the tragic loss of about 800 lives and thousands of wounded.
After the war, in the 1940s, a barracks neighborhood known as “The Cannons” was established in the area surrounding the bunkers. The original anti-aircraft battery buildings, such as command posts, officers’ quarters and dormitories, were used as the basis for erecting the first barracks.
Carmel bunkers: transformation and popularity
Over time and in the years leading up to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, housing was granted to the inhabitants of “Los Cañones”, which resulted in the demolition of all the barracks. The Turó de la Rovira was abandoned, and little by little, locals began to discover the breathtaking views offered by this forgotten place.
As time went by, the site became increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike. Today, the Carmel Bunkers are one of Barcelona’s most outstanding viewpoints. Their beauty and charm attract those seeking a unique perspective of the city.
Opening hours and exhibition
The Carmel Bunkers are open to the public free of charge during certain hours. During summer hours, you can visit them from 09:00 h until 19:30 h, while during winter hours, the hours are from 09:00 h to 17:30 h and there is no charge.
In addition to the breathtaking views, the complex houses the exhibition “MUHBA Turó de la Rovira”, which offers a synthesis of the history of Barcelona as seen from above. This exhibition ranges from wartime and post-war Barcelona to the history of the Turó de la Rovira anti-aircraft battery and the Canyons neighborhood.
How to get there
You can use private car or public transport, but the final part of the journey must be done on foot.
There are two bus lines that leave you near your destination: line 92 (Ctra. del Carmel – Mühlberg) and line 119 (Marià Lavèrnia).
