Russia’s recent launch of a hypersonic missile has raised tensions in Europe, raising fears of a possible global conflict. Vladimir Putin, with his threats to attack a US base in Poland with “advanced weapons”, has intensified the climate of uncertainty, leading several countries to take preventive measures.
In this context, Finland, Switzerland and Norway have already begun to distribute war manuals to their citizens. Now, Spain joins this preventive approach with the announcement of its first war risk manual, an initiative aimed at preparing the population for possible conflict scenarios. However, this measure has not gone unnoticed, and has generated some concern among Spaniards.
The resurgence of bunkers in Spain
Faced with fear of a possible nuclear war, Spain’s bunkers, many of them built during the Civil War, are once again attracting attention. Although originally designed to protect the population from bombing, these structures have gained renewed interest as possible shelters in case of emergency.
In Madrid, one of the most notable bunkers is located in the Moncloa Palace, seat of the Government. This three-story, 7,500-square-meter underground shelter is prepared to resist nuclear and chemical attacks. Equipped with cold storage rooms, secret doors and even a small cemetery, it is emerging as one of the most advanced in the country.
Another relevant facility is the Torrejón de Ardoz air base, also in Madrid, with the capacity to house 600 people in a 10,000 square meter shelter. In Toledo, under the Ébora Hotel in Talavera de la Reina, there is a private bunker that, although less known, stands out for its size and functionality.
Beyond shelters adapted to modern threats, Spain preserves historic bunkers that reflect its wartime past, such as the El Capricho bunker in Madrid, located in a 2,000-square-meter park; the Carmel and Santa Susana bunkers in Barcelona; that of Cap Negret in Altea (Alicante); that of Los Muertos in Cabo de Gata (Almería); that of Villa del Río in Córdoba; that of Santa Úrsula in Tenerife, and that of Colmenar de Arroyo, also in Madrid.
Although most of these shelters are not designed to withstand nuclear explosions, their existence provides a certain sense of security in times of uncertainty.
The growing fear of global war has brought concerns about civilian security to the forefront. Although experts agree that a nuclear attack remains unlikely, preventive measures, such as updating war manuals and reviewing bunkers, reflect the authorities’ effort to be prepared for any eventuality.
In a world where international tensions seem to increase day by day, bunkers not only represent possible physical protection, but also psychological relief for those who prefer to be prepared for the worst.
