ARCA demands that Cort protects the air-raid shelters and the traces of the Civil War bombings in Palma

PalmaThe Association for the Revitalization of Historic Centers (ARCA) demands that the Palma City Council protect and conserve the air-raid shelters, shrapnel remains, and passive defense signs that are still preserved in different parts of the city as witnesses to the Civil War. The organization considers that these elements have historical, social, and heritage value because they allow for the explanation of one of the darkest periods in Palma's history.

ARCA warns that these vestiges have been disappearing over the years, but asserts that there is still a quantity that could be recovered and preserved. Therefore, it asks Cort to promote their protection before they disappear definitively, especially in the case of elements integrated into building facades that could be lost to future rehabilitation works.

Regarding the air-raid shelters, the association maintains that numerous public and private spaces are still preserved and are recoverable. In this sense, it recalls that other cities have restored these facilities and converted them into visitable spaces with a pedagogical and educational function.

Among the concrete proposals, ARCA points to the shelter on Carrer de la Confraria de Sant Miquel, which is preserved in good condition and reaches as far as Carrer de la Riera. The space also has an exit on Carrer de la Missió. The entity considers that it could be one of the points that could be recovered to make known the history of the bombings and the defense of the civilian population during the war.

Only six or seven passive defense signs remain

Another of the elements that ARCA is asking to preserve are the passive defense marks that can still be seen on the facades of some buildings in Palma. These are signs that indicated the location of water outlets and that could be very useful in case of fire, often caused by bombings.

These marks are distinguished by a drawing of concentric circles with an arrow. Although the passage of time has erased their colors, the outline is still preserved on some properties. According to the association's estimates, there are currently only six or seven left in the city. Among the examples that can still be identified are those on the facade of Can Pueyo, the old Casa de Socors, and the church of Santa Teresa. ARCA considers it "essential" to protect these elements so that they do not disappear in future renovations of the buildings.

Finally, the organization also demands the preservation of the shrapnel remains that remain embedded in some facades and which it considers "a heritage asset to be protected." ARCA is aware of visible vestiges on the main facade of Llar El Temple, on Carrer del Sant Esperit, in front of the church of Sant Felip Neri, and at the church of la Missió. With this request, the association wants to prevent the disappearance of the few material traces that still allow for the reconstruction of the memory of the bombings on Palma and the measures that were adopted to protect the civilian population during the Civil War.