Parc dels Búnquers de Montellà i Martinet

Parc dels Búnquers de Montellà i Martinet is an open-air museum in the village of Montellà i Martinet, in the Cerdanya region of Catalonia, close to the border with Andorra. The site is dedicated to the history of the fortifications built in the Pyrenees in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War.

What is the Bunkers Park?

It is a center for interpretation, research, and dissemination of knowledge about the post-war period in the Pyrenees. The park showcases a section of the so-called Line P (also known as the Gutiérrez Line), a vast fortification system built during the 1940s that was intended to run along the entire Pyrenean chain, from Cap de Creus on the Catalan coast to the Basque Country. The full line was meant to include close to 10,000 bunkers and remained under military secrecy for a long time.

What can visitors see on site?

The park preserves several types of bunkers: observation posts, firing positions, and artillery emplacements. The structures are linked by underground passages carved directly into the rock, fitted with ventilation shafts. They were built from reinforced concrete and camouflaged on the outside with earth and stones so they would blend into the mountain landscape and stay hard to spot.

What does the visit itinerary look like?

A marked outdoor path leads to eight bunkers of different types. Most of the route is visited with a guide, which helps explain the function of each structure and the historical context behind its construction. Part of the itinerary runs through a network of underground galleries connecting the different positions — one of the highlights of the visit, since it lets you experience the fortification from the inside rather than just viewing it from the outside.

Why is it worth visiting?

The bunkers park in Montellà i Martinet is not a typical natural attraction of the Cerdanya region — it's a historical site that combines education with an outdoor walking experience. Following the marked trail and descending into the underground passages makes the visit appealing both to adults interested in 20th-century history and to families with children who enjoy exploring tunnels and underground corridors. It's also a good opportunity to learn about a lesser-known chapter of Spanish history: the post-war isolation and fear of invasion that led to the construction of such an extensive defensive system in the mountains.

Who is this attraction suited for?

Given the nature of the route — an outdoor walk that includes entering underground corridors — the site is best suited to visitors in reasonably good physical condition, ready to walk on uneven mountain terrain. It's worth bringing sturdy footwear and an extra warm layer, since the interiors of the bunkers and galleries tend to stay cool even in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Line P, of which these bunkers are part? Line P (the Gutiérrez Line) was a fortification system built in the Pyrenees during the 1940s, ultimately meant to comprise nearly 10,000 bunkers stretching across the entire mountain range, from Cap de Creus to the Basque Country. It remained a military secret for years.

How many bunkers can be seen in the park? The marked trail leads to eight bunkers of different types — observation, firing, and artillery positions — connected by underground passages.

Is the visit guided? A large part of the route is meant to be visited with a guide, which makes it easier to understand the function of each structure and the historical background of its construction.

Can you go inside the underground tunnels? Yes, the itinerary includes entering a network of underground galleries carved into the rock that connect the different bunkers — one of the main highlights of a visit to the park.