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The anti-raid shelter from the Spanish Civil War "Cueva del Castillo"
Published on 05 April 2021
Spain
Aragón
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About this good practice
The anti-aircraft shelter was an underused resource in the small village (400 inhabitants) of Monegrillo. The city council has rehabilitated it, adding museographic effects of lights and sounds that constitutes a recreation of the the bombings in the village during the war with three main purposes:
-The recovery of the 'historical memory' and the historical heritage, with respect for the inhabitants of Monegrillo who lived those dramatic moments.
-Promote the use of an existing resource in the locality to encourage tourist visits and activate local commerce. The shelter is seen as a point attraction to promote the discovery of other cultural and natural values of the municipality.
-Spread an educational, informative and anti-war message in collaboration with the Spanish Commitee of the UNHCR.
The presence in Los Monegros of thousands of contenders, over almost two years in a practically stable front, led to the construction of all kinds of fortifications and supplies in the complex orography of the area. For this reason, this first memory route highlights various vestiges of life at the front or the resistance in the rear.
In addition to the Cueva del Castillo, the route includes the tomb of José Ramón Arana, located in the town's cemetery. This first route of democratic memory "El Frente de los Monegros", includes an itinerary through other near villages like Torralba, Robres, Alcubierre, Leciñena, Perdiguera, Villamayor de Gállego, Farlete, Monegrillo or
-The recovery of the 'historical memory' and the historical heritage, with respect for the inhabitants of Monegrillo who lived those dramatic moments.
-Promote the use of an existing resource in the locality to encourage tourist visits and activate local commerce. The shelter is seen as a point attraction to promote the discovery of other cultural and natural values of the municipality.
-Spread an educational, informative and anti-war message in collaboration with the Spanish Commitee of the UNHCR.
The presence in Los Monegros of thousands of contenders, over almost two years in a practically stable front, led to the construction of all kinds of fortifications and supplies in the complex orography of the area. For this reason, this first memory route highlights various vestiges of life at the front or the resistance in the rear.
In addition to the Cueva del Castillo, the route includes the tomb of José Ramón Arana, located in the town's cemetery. This first route of democratic memory "El Frente de los Monegros", includes an itinerary through other near villages like Torralba, Robres, Alcubierre, Leciñena, Perdiguera, Villamayor de Gállego, Farlete, Monegrillo or
Resources needed
First conditioning (2012): € 59,000. Musealization (2020): € 50,700.
Visits are guided (MO-FRI) by personnel of the Municipality. On weekends by local counselors and an student in Internship of the School of Tourism. Ticket is €1: 50% for the maintenance and 50% for a solidarity cause: the UNHCR
Visits are guided (MO-FRI) by personnel of the Municipality. On weekends by local counselors and an student in Internship of the School of Tourism. Ticket is €1: 50% for the maintenance and 50% for a solidarity cause: the UNHCR
Evidence of success
Since its opening, and despite the restrictions due to COVID19 in February 2021, more than 100 groups of visitors have been received, about 500 people.
The activity has been positively noticed in local commerce.
The success of the initiative has meant that new tourism projects are already being activated in the village (tourist audio guide, hiking routes and mountain biking ...) all these activities are aimed to the economic development of the municipality and its inhabitants.
The activity has been positively noticed in local commerce.
The success of the initiative has meant that new tourism projects are already being activated in the village (tourist audio guide, hiking routes and mountain biking ...) all these activities are aimed to the economic development of the municipality and its inhabitants.
Potential for learning or transfer
This initiative responds to different needs of the territory, such as the recovery of a heritage element bequeathed to its historical memory, the creation of a point of tourist attraction and above all, being a pilot project for the creation of a route that will establish synergies between the different Monegros villages with a common past related to the Spanish Civil War.
The realization of these experiences that adequately explain and value the past of a locality can constitute an element of change in the community, In this case, given the success of the initiative, new touristic projects that complement this activity are being implemented in the locality such as a tourist audio guide, hiking routes and mountain biking, gastronomic proposals, and so on... because the inhabitants have understood the possibilities of having a touristic resource.
On the other hand, this initiative is also part of a bigger future project to connect several villages on a common thematic route.
The realization of these experiences that adequately explain and value the past of a locality can constitute an element of change in the community, In this case, given the success of the initiative, new touristic projects that complement this activity are being implemented in the locality such as a tourist audio guide, hiking routes and mountain biking, gastronomic proposals, and so on... because the inhabitants have understood the possibilities of having a touristic resource.
On the other hand, this initiative is also part of a bigger future project to connect several villages on a common thematic route.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ayuntamiento de Monegrillo
Spain
Aragón
Contact
External Scientific Advisor