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Civil War Anti-aircraft Shelters

Alicante still bears witness to the bombings it endured during the Spanish Civil War, with several preserved air-raid shelters dotted across the city. Some of these have been restored and now feature displays of artefacts, photographs and explanatory texts that provide insight into the historical and social context in which they were built and used between 1936 and 1939. The best known of these shelters is found in Plaza de Séneca, where a fully restored site now forms part of the 'Centro de Interpretación Sobre los Refugios Antiaéreos'. Another, just a short walk away in Plaza Dr. Balmis, stands out for its submarine-style doors, designed to seal off gases and protect those inside. If you want to explore more than just one of these historic spaces, the municipality runs guided tours that cover several shelters around Alicante. These tours are detailed, engaging and very reasonably priced.