The inaugural shelter constructed during the Spanish Civil War has been accessible to the public, as announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism. Last December, this entirely renovated facility was inaugurated at the JardÃn de la Concordia on Paseo de GermanÃas.
Irene Ruiz, the councillor for the area, has announced that as from yesterday, Monday, April 7th, appointments can be made. However, visits will not commence until Friday, April 11, as they must be requested at least 72 hours in advance via the City Council website (https://www.elche.es/refugio-no1-del-paseo-de-germanias/). The activity must be authorised as extracurricular by the corresponding School Council in the case of school groups.
Visits must be scheduled on the specified days and times, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The minimum group size is 15 individuals, and the maximum group size is 21, and admission is free. The tour is suitable for all ages, lasts approximately 45 minutes, and is 117 metres in length.
Shelter No. 1 on Paseo de GermanÃas is only one of thirteen shelters constructed in the city during the Spanish Civil War. The construction was designed to safeguard the civilian population from prospective air attacks; however, this function was never realised, as the city of Elche was never bombed.
Its architecture, which consisted of lengthy, parallel corridors, was originally designed with three entrances; however, only two were ever completed. These entrances have been restored and are now accessible to the public for excursions.
The air-raid shelter located on Paseo de GermanÃas is the most architecturally intricate of all the urban shelters. It is comprised of two long parallel corridors that are connected by four transverse passageways and can be accessed by descending 18 metres. The compacted earth floor and masonry walls that were its original features were replaced with concrete in the 1950s.
Information panels, photographs, signage, and lighting are present throughout the tour of the facility, which is now a museum.
Irene Ruiz reminded visitors that the sanctuary is not accessible to individuals with reduced mobility due to the absence of an elevator. Instead, there are two 87-step staircases. Additionally, there are no facilities, prams must be folded down during the visit, pets are prohibited, and the shelter’s or tour guide’s instructions must be adhered to at all times.
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