Refugios y Trincheras de la Guerra Civil

The Civil War Shelters and Trenches of El Puig form a defensive complex of trenches, bunkers, tunnels and machine-gun nests in L'Horta Nord. They were part of the 'Inmediata' line, the Republican position closest to València in 1938. To walk through them today is to step, slowly and thoughtfully, into a harsh chapter of twentieth-century Valencian history.

History

During the final phase of the Spanish Civil War, València served as capital of the Republic, and its surroundings were fortified with several concentric defensive lines. The one closest to the city was known as the 'Inmediata', and part of that protective belt, built to slow a possible advance, ran through here. The complex has been recovered and prepared so that visitors can understand how soldiers lived and fought in these positions.

What to see

• Stretches of dug trenches that preserve their zigzag layout.
• Concrete bunkers and machine-gun nests facing the field of fire.
• Tunnels and galleries that linked the different positions.

Tips for your visit

• Guided tours cost a symbolic fee and are the best way to understand the site; it's worth booking ahead.
• Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and, in summer, a hat: parts are open-air and the ground is uneven.
• Pair it with the Monastery of Santa María for a full day in El Puig.