{"id":6446,"date":"2022-04-13T07:37:22","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T05:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/what-to-see\/refugios-antiaereos\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T14:03:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T12:03:34","slug":"air-raid-shelters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/what-to-see\/air-raid-shelters\/","title":{"rendered":"Air-raid shelters"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block-cuadro-info\">\n\t<div class=\"info-circle\">\n\t\t<i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-info\"><\/i>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"control-box\">\n\t\t<p class=\"title\">Table of contents<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"box\">\n\t\t\t<ul>\n<li class=\"list-1\"><a href=\"#refugio-1\">The air-raid shelter in Calle Andra Maria<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-1\"><a href=\"#refugio-2\">The Pasealeku air-raid shelter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-1\"><a href=\"#refugio-3\">The Astra air-raid shelter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"list-1\"><a href=\"#refugio-4\">The Talleres de Gernika air-raid shelter<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just 4 days after the military uprising, on the 22nd of July 1936, the first bombing of Basque territory took place: <strong>the bombardment of Otxandio<\/strong>, a town located to the south of Gernika. In the aftermath of this and subsequent attacks on Bilbao, and in anticipation of future bombings, <strong>towns throughout the Basque Country began building shelters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Basque Government had no option but to order shelters to be built in every town, irrespective of their strategic or military value. In Gernika, the mayor instructed the municipal architect to build <strong>at least six public shelters<\/strong>. At the same time, a large number of private shelters were built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"refugio-1\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading list-1\"><strong><strong>The air-raid shelter in Calle Andra Maria (no longer standing)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/REFUGIOANDRAMARI.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-705\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/REFUGIOANDRAMARI.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/REFUGIOANDRAMARI-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/REFUGIOANDRAMARI-702x526.jpeg 702w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"google-map-icon wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Address:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LSQ5XXRyXTbfzvNw9\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LSQ5XXRyXTbfzvNw9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Andra Maria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The largest of all the shelters was located in Calle Andra Mari, where the <strong>tourist office<\/strong> is located today. Made up of <strong>thick wooden beams<\/strong> topped by a roof covered with <strong>sandbags<\/strong>, it was so big that its structure stretched the entire length of the street (146 m2). The project included steel sheeting to reinforce the roof, but they did not arrive in time. Moreover, when a blast bomb fell on the shelter, <strong>it was completely destroyed<\/strong>.&nbsp;The shelter had room for 450 people. During the bombing it was at the limit of its capacity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-css-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#5e5c0f;color:#5e5c0f\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"refugio-2\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading list-2\"><strong><strong>The Pasealeku air-raid shelter<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"717\" src=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-antiaereo-pasealekua-audiovisual-gernika-1024x717.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-713\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-antiaereo-pasealekua-audiovisual-gernika-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-antiaereo-pasealekua-audiovisual-gernika-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-antiaereo-pasealekua-audiovisual-gernika-768x538.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-antiaereo-pasealekua-audiovisual-gernika.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"google-map-icon wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Address:&nbsp;<\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VpkKKynNWCeghJfXA\" target=\"_blank\">Pasealekua<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe safest shelters were on the west side of Union Square. The wall on that side backs onto the hillside. All we did was dig four cave-shaped shelters in the hillside. They were about 10 metres deep. These four shelters were intended for the people of the market area and the exhibition centre\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Words of Castor Uriarte, municipal architect (1937)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>OPENING TIMES: <\/strong>11:00 - 21:00<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Free entrance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-css-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#5e5c0f;color:#5e5c0f\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Talleres de Gernika (TdeG)<\/strong> factory built two shelters in September 1936 to provide accommodation for its workers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"refugio-3\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading list-3\"><strong><strong>The Astra air-raid shelter<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refugio-astra-fondo-gernika-1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"google-map-icon wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Address:&nbsp;<\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/duTMFu9stLdvTVaK9\" target=\"_blank\">Ibarra kalea 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first is known today as the \u201cAstra\u201d shelter, in honour of the emblematic Astra 400 \u201cLa Puro\u201d pistol which was manufactured in Gernika during the first half of the 20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit by prior reservation only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/preparing-your-trip\/reservas-refugio-antiaereo-de-astra\/\">RESERVATIONS HERE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-css-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#5e5c0f;color:#5e5c0f\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"refugio-4\" class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading list-4\"><strong><strong>The Talleres de Gernika air-raid shelter<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"734\" src=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-TdeG-gernika-exterior-panel-1024x734.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-TdeG-gernika-exterior-panel-1024x734.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-TdeG-gernika-exterior-panel-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-TdeG-gernika-exterior-panel-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/refugio-TdeG-gernika-exterior-panel.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"google-map-icon wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Address:&nbsp;<\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.es\/maps\/place\/Refugio+antia%C3%A9reo+de+TdG\/@43.3110638,-2.6782381,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0xd4e3b254ee1049b:0x515e49de5abf5f1f!8m2!3d43.3110599!4d-2.6760494?hl=es\" target=\"_blank\">Ibarra kalea 17<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second Talleres de Gernika shelter is a 22-metre long by 5-metre wide structure made up of solid, one-metre thick walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>THIS SHELTER IS CURRENTLY CLOSED<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These two concrete buildings were \u201cconcealed\u201d beneath a false roof which prevented them from being identified by the planes that took part in the bombing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-cuadro-info\">\n\t<div class=\"info-circle\">\n\t\t<i class=\"fa-solid fa-circle-info\"><\/i>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"control-box\">\n\t\t<p class=\"title\">Important<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"box\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">These two shelters are currently closed to the public.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>You may also be interested in\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-listado-cuadros\">\n\n\n                \n        <div class=\"row\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4\">\n                        <div class=\"single-cuadros\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/preparing-your-trip\/history\/the-bombing-of-gernika\/\">\n                                <div class=\"image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ferial-destruido-gernika-bombardeo.jpg)\">\n                                    <div class=\"hover-bg\">\n                                        <span>More information<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                            <div class=\"texto\">\n                                <p class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/preparing-your-trip\/history\/the-bombing-of-gernika\/\">The Bombing of Gernika<\/a><\/p>\n                                <div class=\"resumen\">\n                                    <p class=\"p1\"><strong>The town was bombed on the 26th of April 1937<\/strong><\/p>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    \n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4\">\n                        <div class=\"single-cuadros\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/what-to-do\/the-bombing-route\/\">\n                                <div class=\"image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ruta-bombardeo.jpg)\">\n                                    <div class=\"hover-bg\">\n                                        <span>More information<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                            <div class=\"texto\">\n                                <p class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/what-to-do\/the-bombing-route\/\">The Bombing Route<\/a><\/p>\n                                <div class=\"resumen\">\n                                    <p class=\"p1\">The Bombing Route is a <strong>self-guided interactive route<\/strong> that consists of <strong>11 panels<\/strong> set up in different places in the centre of Gernika.&nbsp;<\/p>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    \n                    <div class=\"col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-4\">\n                        <div class=\"single-cuadros\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/what-to-see\/gernikas-museums\/the-peace-museum\/\">\n                                <div class=\"image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/museo-paz.jpg)\">\n                                    <div class=\"hover-bg\">\n                                        <span>More information<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                            <div class=\"texto\">\n                                <p class=\"title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/what-to-see\/gernikas-museums\/the-peace-museum\/\">The Gernika Peace Museum<\/a><\/p>\n                                <div class=\"resumen\">\n                                    <p class=\"p1\">This interactive museum takes us back to the <strong>26th of April 1937<\/strong>, the day on which bombs and fire reduced the streets to rubble.<\/p>                                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just 4 days after the military uprising, on the 22nd of July 1936, the first bombing of Basque territory took place: the bombardment of Otxandio, a town located to the south of Gernika. In the aftermath of this and subsequent attacks on Bilbao, and in anticipation of future bombings, towns throughout the Basque Country began [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":6321,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-que-ver.php","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6446","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6446"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16878,"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6446\/revisions\/16878"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gernikainfo.eus\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}