CNI World

Museum of
intelligence

The nature of any Intelligence Service is closely linked to secrecy and, generally, operations in which Services are involved leave little or no evidence.

Despite this, the CNI makes a sustained effort to collect objects of high symbolic value that illustrate different episodes of its history. In some cases, these objects speak for themselves. In others, they give clues about the operations or episodes in which they were involved. The objects included in this website intend to show a small sample so that the Spanish people can get to know the work of the CNI.

CNI World

Museum of
intelligence

The nature of any Intelligence Service is closely linked to secrecy and, generally, operations in which Services are involved leave little or no evidence.

Despite this, the CNI makes a sustained effort to collect objects of high symbolic value that illustrate different episodes of its history. In some cases, these objects speak for themselves. In others, they give clues about the operations or episodes in which they were involved. The objects included in this website intend to show a small sample so that the Spanish people can get to know the work of the CNI.

Cryptologic section

Communications security has always been essential in the world of Intelligence. The emergence of the Internet brought about a revolution in this field that led to the creation of the National Cryptologic Centre (CCN). Nevertheless, numerous encryption and decryption elements had already been implemented before that moment.


The cryptologic section of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum, with restricted access, was created in 2015 with the aim of publicising the evolution of the encryption systems that were used throughout the 20th century to guarantee the secrecy of communications. Manual encryption methods used in the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War are exhibited, as well as mechanical methods, including different ENIGMA models (developed between 1927-1932), the KRYHA cipher machine and its pocket version, and HAGELIN CRYPTOS machines from the 1950s.

Cryptologic section

Communications security has always been essential in the world of Intelligence. The emergence of the Internet brought about a revolution in this field that led to the creation of the National Cryptologic Centre (CCN). Nevertheless, numerous encryption and decryption elements had already been implemented before that moment.

The cryptologic section of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum, with restricted access, was created in 2015 with the aim of publicising the evolution of the encryption systems that were used throughout the 20th century to guarantee the secrecy of communications. Manual encryption methods used in the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War are exhibited, as well as mechanical methods, including different ENIGMA models (developed between 1927-1932), the KRYHA cipher machine and its pocket version, and HAGELIN CRYPTOS machines from the 1950s.

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Operational section

The operational section of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum, with restricted access, was created in 2015 with the aim of showcasing the evolution of the Operational Unit. It includes devices such as video cameras, photographic cameras, communications and technical security inspections equipment and various work tools that have been used throughout history to carry out the operational tasks.

Operational section

The operational section of the Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum, with restricted access, was created in 2015 with the aim of showcasing the evolution of the Operational Unit. It includes devices such as video cameras, photographic cameras, communications and technical security inspections equipment and various work tools that have been used throughout history to carry out the operational tasks.

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Security Section

The Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum has a security section, with restricted access, whose purpose is to show the evolution of the Security Division. It displays various tools used by the Security Division, which has been responsible for the protection of CNI personnel and facilities throughout its existence.

Security Section

The Centro Nacional de Inteligencia’s Museum has a security section, with restricted access, whose purpose is to show the evolution of the Security Division. It displays various tools used by the Security Division, which has been responsible for the protection of CNI personnel and facilities throughout its existence.