Turó de la Rovira bunkers in Barcelona

Turó de la Rovira is a 262-meter-high mountain rising above the Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) plain. It is considered one of the Seven Hills of Barcelona, a number taken from the seven hills of Rome.

Geography

Turó de la Rovira is located in the Horta-Guinardó district and is part of the small mountain range of the Tres Turons, which includes Turó de la Rovira, Turó del Carmel (park Guell), and Creueta del Coll. Geomorphologically, these hills belong to the last spurs of the Serralada Litoral and Collserola, where the slope transitions into the plain that forms the Barcelona plain.

This hill is part of the Tibidabo mountain range. It is 267 meters high and has an elongated shape from northeast to southwest. The hill is 300 meters long and 65 meters wide on average. The summit is flat.

History

The existence of an Iberian village on the Turó de la Rovira hill has been known since the early 20th century. It is believed to have been founded between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. The construction of streets, houses, and anti-aircraft batteries led to the loss of these ancient Iberian artifacts. They are included in the Inventory of the Archaeological and Paleontological Heritage of Catalonia.

Civil War

To protect Barcelona from the bombings that began in February 1937, the Republican authorities decided to install anti-aircraft batteries on the hill. In 1938, four 105-mm Vickers guns and other defensive assets were placed on the hilltop.

Restoration

In 2006, an international project to restore the old bunker began. In 2007–2008, three spare parts warehouses, gunpowder magazines, and a command post were restored. The area around the military complex, the firing ranges with cannons, and the access road to the top of the hill were also cleaned. The goal of the project is to preserve historical memory and transform the area into a vibrant space.