Civil War Bunker

The Civil War Bunker stands by the Platja de les Dunes beach in Santa Susanna, and was one of the line of defensive features built by the Republican town councils of the district of Maresme to protect themselves and keep watch over the territory for the aircraft of the Nationalist forces deployed from Majorca to bombard Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)The fortification, built on 6 October 1938 by the brigades, is made of reinforced concrete and stands on a stone base. It is entered via a corridor with a small cabinet on the right. The central space has a higher platform, which was the placement for a machine gun. The walls looking out over the Barcelona coastline have two artillery and observation apertures.The bunker served to protect the population of Santa Susanna from the danger of bombardments, from airborne attacks by the Italian fascist air force, Franco’s ally, as well as potential landings by Franco’s troops. From August 1937 onwards, along the coastline of Maresme and throughout the rest of Spain, the Republican Government and the Popular Army erected substantial defence fortifications.