Civil War Shelters Museum

Civil War Shelters Museum (Museo-Refugio de la Guerra Civil) in Cartagena preserves an underground air-raid shelter carved into the slope of Concepción Hill, open to visitors since 2004.

What is this place?

The shelter at Calle Gisbert 10 is one of dozens of tunnel networks that Cartagena's residents excavated into the rock during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). At the time, the city served as the main base of the Republican fleet and as a port through which military supplies reached the defenders of Madrid, which made it a priority target for Nationalist air raids. Construction of the tunnels beneath Concepción Hill began in 1937. This particular shelter was among the largest in the city, capable of holding around 5,500 people at once during bombing alerts.

What will you see inside?

The visit takes you through narrow, damp corridors cut straight into solid rock. Inside, information panels, archival photographs, everyday wartime objects and audiovisual displays recreate the sounds of air-raid sirens and explosions, bringing back the atmosphere of the nights residents spent underground. The exhibition covers not just the bombing raids themselves but also the daily life of Cartagena's population during this period — how people organized shelter space, coped with overcrowding, and kept the city running under constant threat from the air.

How do you get there?

The museum sits in central Cartagena on Calle Gisbert, right beneath Concepción Hill, an easy walk of a few minutes from the port or the city's main promenade. It forms part of the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas network, which manages several historical sites across the city, so a combined ticket covering other museums and monuments is often available.

When is the best time to visit?

The shelter maintains a steady, cool temperature year-round, making it a pleasant break from the Mediterranean summer heat typical of the Murcia region. Keep in mind that the corridors are narrow and queues can build up during peak season (July–August), so it's worth booking a morning slot or visiting outside the summer rush.

Who is it for?

The site appeals especially to visitors interested in 20th-century history and the Spanish Civil War, but it also works well for families with children, since the multimedia storytelling keeps the visit accessible for younger audiences. It pairs naturally with other Civil War remnants in Cartagena, such as the shelters at Molinete Hill or the city's Military Museum.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book tickets in advance? During summer, due to the limited capacity of the narrow corridors, it's advisable to buy tickets ahead of time, ideally online through the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas offering.

How long does the visit take? A guided or audio-guided tour of the shelter typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes.

Is the shelter accessible for visitors with reduced mobility? Given the nature of the underground corridors, accessibility can be limited — it's worth checking current conditions directly at the museum ticket office before your visit.

Is it worth combining the ticket with other Cartagena attractions? Yes — the museum operates within the Cartagena Puerto de Culturas consortium, which offers combined tickets covering sites such as the Roman Theatre, the Military Museum, and other air-raid shelters in the city, saving both time and money when visiting several sites.