Barcelona Air-Raid Shelters: From The Spanish Civil War To The Blitz
Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8FH
An extraordinary testimony of civilian resistance, forcibly silenced for decades during Franco’s dictatorship, the network of 1,322 underground air-raid shelters still lives under the streets of Barcelona. The model of Catalan shelters, a new and revolutionary way of civil protection built by local communities, was at the centre of the debate on the defence from air raids in the UK. It is not only a building technique but also a mirror of society.
Ana Sánchez and Xavier Domènech have produced this exhibition of photographs of the air-raid shelters previously shown at Imperial College, London and loaned to Ramsgate Tunnels for Heritage Open Days. Both have visited Ramsgate to explore links between our Deep Tunnel Shelters and Barcelona during 2024 and have been working with our volunteers drawing similarities between the tunnels at Barcelona and Britain's largest civilian World War II deep tunnel shelters.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 12 September:
- 9.30 to 16.00 Daily Throughout the Festival
- Sunday 21 September:
- 9.30 to 16.00 Final Day of Exhibition
Location & directions
Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8FH
- Directions:
- Ramsgate Tunnels can be found at the end of Marina Esplanade next to the Augusta Steps. There is a number of Council pay and display car parks close to Ramsgate Tunnels.
- Contact on day:
- Lynn Turner
- Telephone number:
- +441843588123
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Additional information
Ramsgate Tunnels are always at a constant temperature of approx. 11 degrees centigrade. Ramsgate Tunnels guides tours are available during the festival, they are not included in the festival and are an additional charge.
