Great experience visiting the museum!

The Sanctuary of Pla de Petracos, located in the municipality of Castell de Castells, constitutes one of the most outstanding examples in whole Europe of Macro schematic art and has been declared Site of Cultural Interest and Heritage of Humanity. The importance of this site has led the Provincial Government of Alicante to assess its value improving its spreading elements, its protection measures, and the access gates to this site. The works started on the 3rd of March 1998. The provincial institution of Alicante promotes through the Provincial Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico Provincial, MARQ) a program of Cave art routes, which, under the supervision of the Autonomous Administration and in co-operation with the municipality of Castell de Castells, aims at improving the protection given to artistic expressions. Simultaneously, it pretends to boost its general attention, facilitating its access ways and installing explanatory panels. The site of Pla de Petracos takes its name from its location. This site is made up of a number of shelter woods and a cave located on the left strip of the Barranc de Malafí, within a geographical frame demarcated by the sea and the mountain ranges of Aitana, Mariola and Benicadell. It can be accessed through a track that starts on kilometre 7 of the road from Benichembla to Castells de Castells. This track communicates the site with the municipality of La Vall d'Ebo. The site is located 500 metres s/n/m, its mapping coordinates being 38º 45' 38" latitude N. and 03º 30' 19" longitude East from the meridian of Madrid. Discovered in 1980, it is made up of eight shelter woods. Of these, five of them show paintings in a perfectly visible vivid red. Four of them are close to each other and show art depictions of Macro schematic art, an artistic expression from the most ancient Neolithic Age. The fifth painting is an artistic expression of the Levante region of Spain, chronologically subsequent to the expressions of Macro schematic Art The depiction of the human figure constitutes its main subject matter. Amongst them, the prayers have to be highlighted, who are stretching out their arms above their heads. Opposite it, a few metres from the rocky wall, a large stone protrudes on the ground, which may be related to the meaning of these pictorial representations.

The Contemporary art museum of Alicante- MACA is housed in the city’s oldest surviving civil building. In the baroque style, it dates back to 1685 and is located next to the Santa María basilica in the old town of Alicante City. It was originally designed as a cereals warehouse but was also used as a business school before finally becoming a museum. The MACA Museum houses an important collection of 20th century art mostly comprised of works donated by Eusebio Sempere. There are also works by Chillida, Picasso, Dalí and Miró, among others.

Born in Villena, Antonio Navarro Santafé was a great sculptor who dominated the religious imagery, both in size and marble, and the portrait in bust, besides being considered one of the best animalistic sculptors in Spain. Some of his most famous works are “The Monument to the Bear and the Madroño”, in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, or “The Monument to the Horse”, in Jerez de la Frontera, as well as the bullfighting groups that can be contemplated in their Museum. Navarro Santafé was also the author of the Monument to Ruperto Chapí, which is in front of the Chapí Theater, in Villena; and the current image of the Virgin of the Virtues, patron saint of Villena, after the primitive carving during the Civil War was destroyed. The Museum was conceived by the artist himself on the ground floor of the house that had been his studio. In him it is possible to know his legacy through many of his works of smaller size, besides sketches of the author of his most important creations.

The Alicante Water Museum and the Garrigós Well are located in one of the Old Quarter’s traditional squares, the Plaza del Puente, alongside one of the entrances to La Ereta park on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, which is topped by the Santa Bárbara Castle. The museum is spread over 3 floors. It is a cultural and educational space where visitors can learn about the history of water in the city. The ‘Pozos’ or Wells of Garrigós are next to the museum. Although there are still question marks over the origins of these wells, it is believed that at least one of them dates from the times of Moorish rule while the others are from the 16th century. However, they were given their current layout in the 19th century, in an attempt to lessen the effects of the prolonged droughts suffered by the city. They were used until 1898, when water began to be piped in from the nearby town of Sax. Excavated from the rock, these wells can hold 141,000 dm3, 275,000 dm3 and 425,000 dm3.

The “José María Amat Amer” Footwear Museum, located in the city of Elda (Alicante) Spain. It is one of the main museums in Europe related to the theme of footwear. Although it was established as such in 1992, its current facilities were inaugurated on February 4, 1999 by Elena de Borbón. It is located on the grounds of what was the International Footwear Fair, which was founded in 1992. The museum has significant support from the City Council. The Footwear Museum Foundation was established, which is governed by a Board of Trustees, chaired by the mayor of the city, and all the Institutions of the shoe sector are represented (the FICIA Foundation, FICE and INESCOP), the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Diputación de Alicante, companies that contribute funds for the purposes of the Foundation, and the founder of the museum, José María Amat Amer, who currently holds the title of honorary director of the Institution. The shoe museum is unique in its kind. Its importance lies in the fact that it includes the entire history of footwear, with a large number of samples of both footwear and machinery dedicated to its production process, but also of the auxiliary industry, highlighting a large section for the manufacture of the last. The Footwear Museum carries out activities aimed at promoting quality Spanish footwear, highlighting the "Best Shoe in Spain Award for Women" on women's shoes, which is awarded annually. Multiple itinerant exhibitions are also held with attendance at sector fairs.

In the heart of Alicante, in the Volvo port zone, the Volvo Ocean Race Museum is a modern exhibition venue where visitors can enjoy an interactive installation that gives them a close-up look at the world of the sea, learning about the most intrepid sailors and experiencing the hidden delights of the Ocean. Take a trip through the history of the regatta and the marine world in this state-of-the-art museum. In fact, this is the only museum in the world specialising in the most demanding challenge to sailors of our time. The regatta considered the “Everest of Sailing”. The Volvo Ocean Race. The route History: Created in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, its name was changed to Volvo Ocean Race in 2001. Learn about its history and different editions, enjoy anecdotes. Technology: Discover all the technical aspects of the race, the parts and evolution of the vessels with the help of interactive technology. Life on deck: Through games and interactive resources that simulate life on board a Volvo Open 70, the Formula 1 of the sea. The oceans today: Learn about marine ecosystems and how mankind is threatening the survival of these habitats. Heroes and legends: The extreme challenge of this regatta has made heroes of many of its crew members. Their capacity for sacrifice and winning spirit has transformed them into legends. Back home: After three months of struggle, team spirit and effort, this is an emotional time. When they reach the finish they are greeted by their families, fans and the millions of spectators who follow this heroic, round-the-world adventure. The control room: The trip ends in the glazed room that houses the regatta’s Operations Centre. This is where all the information from the vessels is permanently centralised, with weather information and crew safety factors. An open window to the heart and brain of the regatta. An unbeatable live spectacle. As well as the exhibition, the museum has an open bar, a shopping area, children’s and complementary activities that will delight all visitors to the Museum.

One of the attractions of Rojales, is a set of caves excavated in the mountain in the eighteenth century, made by Murcian miners who came to Rojales to work in agricultural work. Their experience as stonecutters led them to build their dwelling in the rock, giving rise to a true underground urban plot that, later, faced with the precariousness of the cane and mud houses, constituted the home of generations of reds until the beginning of the 20th century . In this way, this curious architectural core delimits Rojales in the south and constitutes an interesting attraction that tourists should not forget to visit as they pass through the municipality. The Ecomuseum of the underground Habitat and the artisan souk are located in this environment.

The exciting history of Elche, from its origins to the present day, is presented in an enjoyable and interactive way at the Alejandro Ramos Folqués Archaeological and History Museum of Elche (MAHE). The restored building, inaugurated in 2006, endows the city with a first class cultural asset, and definitively enhances the value of the rich archaeological and historical heritage of Elche. Audiovisual shows, touch screens and panels facilitate the visitor´s understanding of the artefacts on display. Its ethos follows, with scrupulous respect, the path of the work undertaken over more than 40 years by the Alejandro Ramos Folqués Municipal Archaeological Museum. Both the man himself and centre have acquired an outstanding reputation throughout the world of Spanish archaeological research. The Whole Stronghold Since 1982 the museum had occupied the restored buildings of an old textile factory in the eastern wing of the Alcazar de la Señoría, or Palace of Altamira. The new MAHE project has made use not only of the whole stronghold, but also the first level of an underground car park built in the Traspalacio area. Antiquities In the Traspalacio, with its newly constructed floor, there is a well-nurtured collection of marvellous antiquities. Its six halls range from the Neolithic (around 4,000 B.C.) to Late Antiquity, the great protagonist being the Iberian cultural legacy with noteworthy works such as the pillar-stele, sculptures of bulls and Sphinxes and painted ceramics, all of them being some of the best examples of this culture found in Spain. There are also reproductions of burial sites and homes of this era (III to VI B.C.) From this floor a stretch of the medieval wall and the remnants of one of its towers may be seen, as well as part of a XVII century aqueduct which provided water to the city by means of a branch from the main water channel. The Alcazar de la Señoría The second area is the exhibition area in the Alcazar de la Señoría, incorporated as an additional part of the museum, and which could not be visited in its entirety until the opening of the MAHE. The excavations carried during its restoration in 2005 made it possible to expose part of the old Islamic road to the city, with a large monumental gate which provided access from the banks of the river. By crossing the parade ground the two floors of the East wing are reached. Here the historical museum and a technological exhibition with selected artefacts dating from the XIII century to the present day, are housed, with explanatory panels and visual displays. The lower hall covers the period from the Christian Conquest (1265) to the XVII century and it highlights the boundary crossings of the roads to Orihuela (XIIII century) and Alicante ( XV century). The upper floor covers the last three centuries of local history, whilst a glass walled room in the western wing is dedicated to exhibitions. The Keep The imposing Keep tower, which presides over the stronghold, was the home of the Lady of Elche during her temporary six-month stay in 2006. Whilst the people of Elche await her return, her place is occupied by an exact replica of the famous Iberian bust, ceded by the Archaeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ). The parade ground of the Palace of Altamira is used on a regular basis to host cultural and social events.