Can visitors tour the air raid shelters in Palma, and what can be seen inside them?

Yes, visitors can tour the historic air raid shelters in Palma, which offer a compelling glimpse into the city's wartime past. These shelters, originally built during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, were designed to protect residents from aerial bombings. Today, several of these underground networks have been preserved and are open to the public, allowing visitors to explore their narrow passageways and learn about their significant role in Palma’s history.

Inside the shelters, guests can see the original stone and concrete walls, as well as remnants of the wooden benches where locals once sat during air raids. Exhibits often include period photographs, firsthand accounts, and audio guides that describe the fear and resilience experienced by those who sought refuge there. The tunnels are dimly lit to maintain an authentic atmosphere, and some sections feature displays of old gas masks, signage from the era, and bomb fragments, providing an educational context about the threats faced and the precautions taken.

The experience is both sobering and enlightening, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the social and historical impact of conflict on everyday life in Palma. Guided tours typically explain how the shelters were constructed through a communal effort, their engineering challenges, and stories of how families used them for hours at a time. Overall, touring these air raid shelters offers a unique, tangible connection to the city’s past that enriches any visit to Palma.