Museum of Ciudad de Alicante. MUSA
The new Museo de la Ciudad consists of the following areas
1. Edificio Cuerpo de Ingenieros (Engineer Association Building).
It has been converted into the Visitor Information Centre. This building showcases archaeological ruins and a large-screen audiovisual piece on the history of the city. The floor piece is quite remarkable: a glass structure with engravings of figures that refer to historical events.
2. The Former Hospital.
This room accommodates a show entitled «Alicante traspasada de Mediterráneo» (Alicante soaked by the Mediterranean). It develops the notion of the Mediterranean Sea as the setting to explain different local phenomena. It underlines the link between the city and the Mare Nostrum, interspersed with archaeological and ethnological materials, and illustrated with quotes and literary fragments. The exhibition reveals the strong relationship between the city and a sea that is laden with history and culture.
3. Sala Larga (Long Room).
This room accommodates the show «Historias y personas» (History and people). It is divided into two different exhibition areas. One accommodates coats of arms cut in stone, tombstones, heraldry and photographs. At the back of the room stands the fortress’ old medieval gate. Next to it there is an interactive screen that provides further information on the history and the people of the city, with data on surnames and on the professions that Alicante’s inhabitants have performed over the years.
4. Salas de la Mina o Cuevas de los ingleses (Mine Rooms or the English Caves).
An exhibition about «La explosión de la mina» (The explosion of the mine) during the War of Succession 1701 – 1713. There are three small rooms. The one of the left accommodates a monitor for audiovisual pieces. It screens a recording with an animation about the events that led to the explosion of the mine. The main room hosts the Tela de Araña (Spiderweb) installation, a metal sculpture. The room on the right accommodates display cabinets and documentary posters with information on the different assaults launched on the city and on the castle during this international war.
Opening Hours
How to get the Castle and MUSA
Visitors can access the castle via a lift built within the rockface opposite El Postiguet beach. You can also reach the castle on foot or by car along the road on the north face of Mount Benacantil, which starts in Calle Vázquez de Mella street.
On the sea-Facing slope of Mount Benacantil is the Ereta park, an attractive open-air space with a restaurant, cafeteria and exhibition hall.
Address
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Calle Vázquez de Mella s/n 03013 Alicante
- Phone: 965 15 29 69
- Phone: 965 21 17 44
- musa@alicante-ayto.es