Palma air-raid shelters and Civil War shrapnel at risk
In Palma, Mallorca, Civil War shrapnel is still lodged in building fronts: a heritage group wants the city to protect it before more traces disappear. On 6 November 2026, the Association for the Revitalisation of Old Town Centres (ARCA) called on Palma City Council to preserve air-raid shelters, shrapnel and old signs marking water points. The group says many such traces have already vanished, but those that remain can still be saved.
A shelter with another exit
ARCA wants the shelter on Confraria de Sant Miquel street restored. It says the shelter is in good condition, extends to Riera street and has an exit on Missió street. The group says many other public and private shelters could still be recovered. It points to cities elsewhere that have restored shelters for visits and education.
Fading signs and shrapnel
Only six or seven of the old civil-defence signs remain, ARCA estimates. Painted on building fronts, their circles and arrows marked water points that helped people during fires, often caused by bombing. The colours have faded, but examples can still be seen at Can Pueyo, the former Casa de Socors and Santa Teresa church.
ARCA also wants the shrapnel left in building fronts protected. It says fragments are visible on the main façade of Llar El Temple, on Sant Esperit street opposite Sant Felip Neri church, and at the Missió church. The group warns that the remaining water-point signs could disappear in future restorations.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com