Spanish Civil War 1936–1939
Artxanda – Iron Belt trenches & memorial
Bilbao · Trenches & fortifications
The story
Mount Artxanda, above Bilbao, was the last defended position before the city fell. After the Nationalists broke through the Iron Belt (Cinturón de Hierro) at Gaztelumendi on 12 June 1937, Basque and Republican units fell back to Artxanda, where there was a final, bitter defence while civilians were evacuated westwards. The Basque Army withdrew on 18 June and Nationalist troops entered Bilbao on 19 June. Today the summit is a park with a viewpoint over the city. A stretch of restored trench recalls the fighting, and a large 'fingerprint' sculpture (Huella Dactilar) by Juan José Novella honours all those who died in the war.
What you can see today
A restored trench section near the Artxanda viewpoint, the fingerprint memorial and a panoramic view over Bilbao.
Plan your visit
Take the Artxanda funicular from central Bilbao (about 3 min) or drive up; free, open access. Allow an hour to walk between the viewpoint and the memorial.
- Open
- Funicular Mon–Sat 07:15–22:00 (Fri, Sat & eves to 23:00 Jun–Sep), Sun & holidays 08:15–22:00
- Price
- Funicular €3.50 single
- Access
- Funicular has lifts and ramps
Checked September 2026 from official sources: funicularartxanda.bilbao.eus. Things change, so check before you travel.
Sources
- tracesofwar.com/sights/90608/Memorial-Victims-Spanish-Civil-War.htm
- tracesofwar.com/sights/90608/Memorial-Victims-Spanish-Civil-War.htm
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bilbao
- sabinoarana.eus/es/historias-vascas/efemerides/la-ruptura-del-cinturon-de-hierro-y-la-caida-de-bilbao-20240612
Nearby sites
- Iron Belt trail, Zamudio (Berreaga–Gaztelumendi ridge) · 4 km
- Gaztelumendi breach – Larrabetzu Iron Belt bunker · 10 km
- Iron Belt Interpretation Centre, Berango · 12 km
- Monte Sollube battlefield · 17 km
- Casa de Juntas & Tree of Gernika · 20 km
- Pasealekua air-raid shelter, Gernika · 20 km
All 158 sites in Spanish Civil War 1936–1939 →
The Spanish Civil War 1936–1939
A free field guide for your phone: the route, the maps and the stories built in, even with no signal. The battlefields, trenches, ruined villages, shelters, museums and memorials of the Spanish Civil War across the whole of Spain, told fairly from both sides.
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