English
Route 3 — The people behind the war: from the Central Market to the Tobacco Factory
There are wars that are told through battles and frontlines. This route tells another story: that of those who stayed behind in the city, on the home front. Mothers working in the factory while planes flew overhead. Children living with the bombings as if they were just another part of the landscape. Neighbors who built shelters with their own hands to protect themselves and their families. Route 3 puts a human face on the Spanish Civil War in Alicante.
The route begins at Plaza del 25 de Mayo next to the memorial commemorating one of the most devastating events experienced in Alicante: the bombing of the Central Market on May 25, 1938.
From this point, we will walk past key locations in the city, such as Plaza de España, the King's Hospital (Hospital del Rey), or the Quijano Pantheon, contextualizing the impact on various facets of Alicante society, leading us to the Plaza Castellón shelter.
At Plaza Castellón, we will learn about the history of the Carolinas neighborhood, deeply linked to local culture, community involvement, and the city's working-class heritage.
Inside Shelter R36, we will discover its unique construction process and, thanks to its museum display, explore the historic importance of water for the city of Alicante over the centuries.
Access to R36 involves stairs. It is not accessible for people with reduced mobility.
We will continue our visit at the facilities of the Tobacco Factory (Fàbrica de Tabacs) and the House of Mercy (Casa de Misericordia), spaces where we will uncover their vital importance to Alicante throughout its history.
Shelter R69 completes this tour. Built specifically for the Tobacco Factory staff, its layout and organization differ from other shelters in the city, offering insight into alternative forms of collective protection.
Inside, visitors will be able to watch an audiovisual presentation to help contextualize the historical events explained, complemented by a collection of historical photographs showing Alicante at the beginning of the 20th century.
