The flooded gold vault heist from Netflix’s Money Heist Season 3, set in the Bank of Spain, is based on a real vault that actually exists.
Netflix’s Money Heist: A Gripping Tale of Crime and Drama
Netflix’s Money Heist (originally titled La Casa de Papel) became an international sensation with its gripping narrative, well-crafted characters, and thrilling heist sequences. Created by Álex Pina, this Spanish crime drama follows the story of a group of criminals brought together by a mastermind known as The Professor. Across five seasons, they carry out two meticulously planned heists—first on the Royal Mint of Spain and later on the Bank of Spain. What made the show stand out was not just the complexity of the heists but the human emotions, betrayals, and moral dilemmas each character faced.
Among the many standout moments, one of the most memorable heists occurs in Season 3, where the team infiltrates the Bank of Spain’s flooded gold vault. While it may seem like a work of fiction, the vault’s real-life counterpart exists, and it’s even more impressive than what’s shown in the series.
The Iconic Heists of Money Heist
The first two seasons of Money Heist focus on the Royal Mint of Spain, where the gang manages to print billions of Euros in untraceable bills. After their successful escape, it seemed like the story had reached its natural conclusion. However, the third season brought the team back together for another ambitious mission—this time targeting the Bank of Spain. Their objective was to break into the bank’s vault, which holds Spain’s national reserves, including 90 tons of gold.
While the crew’s heists are complex, full of tense moments, and rooted in dramatic storytelling, one particular element of the Bank of Spain heist stands out: the flooded vault, a concept that seems too unrealistic to be true. However, in reality, the vault and its security features are based on real-life mechanisms that make the Bank of Spain one of the most secure places in the world.
The Flooded Vault in Season 3
In Season 3, The Professor, following a plan originally devised by his brother Berlin, sets out to rob the Bank of Spain’s heavily fortified vault. The vault is situated 48 meters underground and is designed to flood with water if anyone attempts to break in. This flooding mechanism, controlled by sensors, triggers the moment someone tries to force the door open, submerging the entire vault in water and making it nearly impossible to access the gold.
In the series, the gang, led by Nairobi, employs a combination of skills to break into the vault. Bogotá, a welding expert, uses his skills to cut a hole in the door and attach an antechamber, which allows the team to enter the vault without triggering the flood mechanism. The team meticulously works to extract 90 tons of gold from the vault without causing the flood that would destroy their mission.
Despite the fictional elements of this heist, like the gang’s extraordinary resourcefulness, the vault’s design is based on real security measures used by the Bank of Spain.
The Real-Life Bank of Spain Vault
The Bank of Spain’s vault is not a Hollywood invention; it exists and is even more dramatic than depicted in Money Heist. Built in the 1930s, the vault is designed to protect Spain’s national treasures, including ancient gold ingots and coins, some dating as far back as the 12th century.
The vault is located deep underground and is accessed through a series of intricate security measures. To reach the gold, intruders would need to pass through three steel doors, each with an extremely tight fit. According to a Bloomberg report, even the smallest obstruction, like a piece of fluff, could prevent the doors from being fully closed or opened. The first door provides access to an elevator shaft that descends 35 meters underground to the vault’s level, while the second door leads to a chamber with one of the most effective security features—a flooding mechanism.
The flooding system in the Bank of Spain is triggered if someone tries to break into the vault without authorization. This isn’t just any water, though—it’s sourced from the famous Fuente de Cibeles, one of Madrid’s most iconic fountains, built in 1782. The water pours into the vault’s antechamber, creating an impenetrable barrier that would make it nearly impossible to reach the treasure within. This mechanism, while extreme, was designed to ensure that even if someone managed to bypass the other layers of security, they would be thwarted by this final, formidable defense.
In reality, gaining access to the Bank of Spain’s vault requires more than just bypassing the flooding system. To unlock the steel doors, two high-ranking employees must enter their codes and keys simultaneously. The complexity and coordination required make it nearly impossible for outsiders to break in. Unlike the heist in Money Heist, which relies on the crew’s ingenuity, the real-life security measures at the Bank of Spain involve technology and human oversight to protect Spain’s treasures.
Blending Fiction and Reality
One of the reasons Money Heist has captivated audiences worldwide is its blend of fiction and reality. While the heist plans themselves are products of creative writing, they are rooted in realistic scenarios. The idea of a flooding vault may seem far-fetched, but the fact that such a security measure exists in the real world lends authenticity to the story. By grounding its plot in real-life elements, Money Heist keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering where the line between fact and fiction blurs.
Even though the gang’s heist of the Bank of Spain involves numerous fictional twists—like the ultimate goal of freeing Rio from Europol and the heartbreaking death of Nairobi—the show incorporates real-life elements like the flooded vault to make the heist feel more believable.
The Challenges of Breaking Into the Real Vault
In the world of Money Heist, The Professor and his team successfully break into the Bank of Spain’s vault, overcoming the seemingly insurmountable challenge of its flood mechanism. However, in reality, robbing the Bank of Spain’s vault would be far more difficult than depicted. The steel doors alone, with their precise fit, would pose a major obstacle. Additionally, gaining access to the vault requires not only technical expertise but also cooperation from two senior employees who hold the keys and codes.
The vault’s flooding system is also more advanced than portrayed in the show. It’s designed to protect Spain’s most valuable treasures, which include not only gold ingots but also ancient coins and other artifacts of immense historical significance. The water from the Fuente de Cibeles fountain, a symbol of Madrid, adds a poetic yet formidable touch to the vault’s defenses, making it one of the most secure places in the world.
Conclusion
Money Heist has enthralled viewers with its complex heists, emotionally charged characters, and intense drama. Season 3’s heist of the Bank of Spain’s flooded vault stands out as one of the most memorable sequences in the series. What makes it even more intriguing is the fact that the flooded vault is not purely a work of fiction. The real-life vault at the Bank of Spain, with its sophisticated security measures and dramatic flood mechanism, is just as fascinating as its on-screen counterpart. While the show takes creative liberties, it’s this blending of reality and fiction that keeps fans coming back for more.
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