Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis
Step into Alicante's past at the Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis, a preserved underground refuge offering a tangible connection to wartime history. ...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, better focus
Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better focus
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step into Alicante's past at the Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis, a preserved underground refuge offering a tangible connection to wartime history.
"The explanations are so entertaining that the two-hour visit passes in a flash. "
📞 Book Ahead Via Phone
Securing a tour can be difficult. Try calling +34 690 00 44 31 to book your visit. :telephone_receiver:
🚶♀️ Explore the Plaza
Don't just visit the shelter; enjoy the surrounding Plaza de Balmis and its historical monuments. :walking:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Civil War Air-Raid Shelter
Plaza de Balmis
Step back in time into this preserved underground shelter, a tangible link to Alicante's wartime past.
Doctor Francisco Javier Balmis Bust
Plaza de Balmis
Honor the memory of the renowned doctor who led a vital vaccination campaign in Spanish America.
Central Plaza Fountain
Plaza de Balmis
Admire the historic stone fountain, a charming centerpiece that has graced this plaza since 1915.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Tour in Advance
Understand the Historical Context
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📞 Book Ahead Via Phone
Securing a tour can be difficult. Try calling +34 690 00 44 31 to book your visit. :telephone_receiver:
🚶♀️ Explore the Plaza
Don't just visit the shelter; enjoy the surrounding Plaza de Balmis and its historical monuments. :walking:
⏳ Allow Ample Time
The guided explanations are so engaging, the visit feels much shorter than it is. Plan for at least 2 hours. :hourglass:
🗣️ Listen to the Guides
The guides provide fascinating historical context that truly brings the shelter to life. :microphone:
Tips
from all over the internet
📞 Book Ahead Via Phone
Securing a tour can be difficult. Try calling +34 690 00 44 31 to book your visit. :telephone_receiver:
🚶♀️ Explore the Plaza
Don't just visit the shelter; enjoy the surrounding Plaza de Balmis and its historical monuments. :walking:
⏳ Allow Ample Time
The guided explanations are so engaging, the visit feels much shorter than it is. Plan for at least 2 hours. :hourglass:
🗣️ Listen to the Guides
The guides provide fascinating historical context that truly brings the shelter to life. :microphone:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis a deeply moving and historically significant site. The guided tours are highly praised for their engaging and informative nature, making the visit a memorable experience. However, booking a tour can be challenging, requiring advance planning and persistence.
"tours make happen at flexible hours during a year - visit a website to get up to date schedule"
Piotr X
"Plaza located in the central area of Alicante, near Plaza Calvo Sotelo and Monument to Canalejas.
This arose from the demolition of a block of ruined houses located between Calle Limones, Calle Virgen de los Desamparados, Calle El Cid and Calle Canalejas.
It was also previously called Plaza de Torrent.
In its central part we find a stone fountain, which apparently in 1915 was moved from Plaza Isabel II (Plaza Gabriel Miró) to this place.
We also found a bust in memory of Doctor Francisco Javier Balmis and in the basement an air raid shelter from the Civil War with capacity for 250 people."
JAX
"This Balmis air raid shelter, was built in 2038, was part of a wide network of more than 90 units. They began to be built in 1937, in the last republican city and one of the most punished by the Francoist Air Force.
They consist of several rectangular galleries with ventilation and with benches attached to the wall.
Together with the one in Seneca Square, they are the two that can be visited.
To find out about guided tours, go to the Information and Tourism Office."
Luis Enrique Del Valle Ruiz De Ona
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The shelter is located in Plaza de Balmis, a central area in Alicante, near Plaza Calvo Sotelo and the Monument to Canalejas. It's easily accessible by public transport or a short walk from other city attractions.
Yes, Plaza de Balmis is a well-known central plaza in Alicante. It was formerly known as Plaza de Torrent and is situated between Calle Limones, Calle Virgen de los Desamparados, Calle El Cid, and Calle Canalejas.
Several bus lines stop near Plaza Calvo Sotelo and the city center, making it convenient to reach Plaza de Balmis via public transport. Check local bus routes for the most direct options.
Driving is possible, but parking in central Alicante can be challenging and expensive. It's often more convenient to use public transport or walk if you are already in the city center.
Absolutely. The central areas of Alicante, including Plaza de Balmis, are very pedestrian-friendly, allowing for a pleasant walk to and from the attraction.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Booking a guided tour is mandatory. You can try contacting the Information and Tourism Office or call +34 690 00 44 31 to arrange your visit. Advance booking is highly recommended.
The shelter is accessible via guided tours, which operate on flexible hours. It's best to check the current schedule with the Information and Tourism Office or when booking your tour.
Information on ticket prices is best obtained directly from the Information and Tourism Office or when you book your guided tour.
No, visits to the Civil War Air-Raid Shelter Balmis are only possible with a guided tour. This ensures you receive the full historical context and understand the significance of the site.
The Balmis air-raid shelter had a capacity for approximately 250 people during the Civil War.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Inside, you'll find several rectangular galleries with benches along the walls, designed for protection during bombings. The guided tour will explain its historical use and significance.
Despite the detailed explanations, the visit often feels like it passes quickly. Plan for approximately two hours for the entire guided tour experience.
The historical content can be intense. While children can visit, parents should consider their child's sensitivity to historical events and the potentially somber atmosphere.
Underground shelters tend to maintain a cooler, more stable temperature than the outside environment, offering a respite from the heat.
As an underground structure, accessibility might be limited. It's advisable to inquire about specific accessibility features when booking your tour.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally permitted inside the shelter, but it's always a good idea to confirm with your guide. The dim lighting can create atmospheric shots.
Capture the historic fountain, the bust of Doctor Balmis, and the entrance to the shelter itself. The plaza offers a good backdrop for historical photography.
While generally allowed, be mindful of your surroundings and the guide's instructions. Avoid flash photography if it might disturb others or damage any artifacts.
Given the potentially low light conditions, consider using a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod if permitted, to capture clear images.
Short videos are often allowed, as seen in social media content. However, always check with your guide to ensure you're not disrupting the tour or other visitors. +1
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the shelter itself is an underground structure, the surrounding Plaza de Balmis offers open space for children to move around. The guided tour's engaging explanations might hold the attention of older children, but younger ones might find the historical details less captivating. Consider it an opportunity for a history lesson, but be prepared to discuss the sensitive aspects of the Civil War.
🏛️ History Enthusiasts
The guided tours provide in-depth historical context, detailing the construction, purpose, and significance of the shelter within Alicante's wartime infrastructure. The surrounding plaza, with its historical fountain and bust of Dr. Balmis, adds further layers of historical interest to the visit.
📸 Photographers
While photography is generally allowed, it's advisable to check with your guide. Consider bringing a camera with good low-light capabilities or a tripod if permitted to capture the best shots. The exterior of Plaza de Balmis also provides good subjects, including the fountain and the bust.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History of the Balmis Air-Raid Shelter
These underground structures were designed with functionality in mind, featuring multiple rectangular galleries equipped with ventilation systems and benches built into the walls. They represent a critical aspect of urban defense and civilian resilience during wartime. Visiting the shelter provides a tangible understanding of the fear and precautions taken by residents of Alicante during the Civil War.
The shelter's location in Plaza de Balmis also places it within a historically rich area of the city. The plaza itself features a stone fountain moved from Plaza Isabel II in 1915 and a bust commemorating Doctor Francisco Javier Balmis, a figure renowned for leading a vital vaccination campaign in Spanish America. This confluence of historical elements makes Plaza de Balmis a site of multiple layers of significance.
Navigating Guided Tours and Booking
Travelers have found success by contacting the Information and Tourism Office or by directly calling +34 690 00 44 31. The tours are described as highly engaging, with explanations that make the visit fly by. While the hours can be flexible, proactive booking is key to ensuring you can experience this unique historical site.
The guides play a crucial role in bringing the shelter's history to life. Their detailed explanations transform a simple underground space into a vivid historical narrative. The two-hour duration of the visit, though seemingly long, is often reported to pass quickly due to the captivating nature of the information shared.
Social
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