Shelter of Cervantes facts for kids
| Refugi de Cervantes | |
 |
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| Established | 1938 |
|---|---|
| Location | Calle els Alçamora nº 1 - Alcoy (Alicante), Spain |
| Type | Historical, Militar |
The Shelter of Cervantes is a special underground place in Alcoy, Spain. It was built a long time ago during the Spanish Civil War to keep people safe from bombs dropped by airplanes. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about what happened during that time. It was opened to visitors on April 12, 2006.
A Safe Place in Wartime
During the Spanish Civil War, many cities in Spain faced danger from air raids. Alcoy, a city in the Valencian Community, was bombed several times by Italian airplanes between September 1938 and January 1939. These planes, called Savoia SM 79, were part of the Italian Legionary Air Force.
To protect its citizens, more than 25 underground shelters were built across Alcoy. The Shelter of Cervantes was one of these important safe spots.
Inside the Shelter
The Shelter of Cervantes is very large, stretching over 100 meters (about 330 feet) long. It could hold up to 1,166 people at once! The shelter has eight long tunnels, called galleries, and two main paths to enter them. Its total area is 292 square meters (about 3,143 square feet).
For people's comfort and safety, the shelter also had four toilets, two washbasins, and a special room for first aid. This shows how well-planned these shelters were.
When you enter the shelter, you walk through a long corridor. Here, you can still see an original sign that says "es peligroso permanecer aqui" (which means "it is dangerous to stay here" in Spanish). This sign was a warning, as even underground shelters could be affected by the powerful shockwaves from bombs exploding nearby.
From Shelter to Museum
In 2006, the Shelter of Cervantes was transformed into a museum. Each of its eight galleries now focuses on a different part of the war and the bombings. The museum uses old information and aerial photos to show how the Italian bombers attacked the city.
Visitors can also use an interactive screen to learn about military objects from that time. There's even a video that plays real stories from people who lived through the bombings in Alcoy. It's a powerful way to understand history.
