Impresses. Knowing the bowels of The Cigarreras leaves  you the mouth open. Probably It was never done in Alicante an investment of five million that has been used so well, with so much discretion and, above all, with so much common sense. They had to get the E Plan after six years lost, that the City has provided sufficient economic base for transforming those old warehouses of tobacco that have given work for so many years to so many alicantinos and, especially, to The Cigarreras of Alicante.

Their heirs will be albe to come back soon to occupy this iconic space, but for now we can enjoy the spectacular installations devoted to leisure and culture. The cigarerras complex created by the municipal board of trustees of culture,  in the old factory tobacco thanksa to the funds through the central government that has begun to operate. This journal has had the opportunity to meet each of 8,000 square meter that occupy three main buildings. In fact, it is a reunion with the factory. Altadis runaway alicante, but its cigarreras those staged one of the most entrenched professions and dear city, continue there.

The Councilor for Culture, Miguel Valor, is the  host. Once past the access control, the strictest of the city, the vehicle reaches the door Patronage of the three great buildings, built after the main building complex of the tobacco, the largest architectural value, especially for its facade. Rehabilitation is the first step of recovery from municipal property Altadis acquired through a swap of land six years ago. After the company´s  eventual escape from Alicante, not a few alicantinos business regretted wrong done on those times by the city: Heritage lost ground and dozens of alicantinos were left without work. The Cigarreras fails to remedy the lost of jobs , but now the importance of having acquired ownership of the former tobacco factory is better visualized.

The first visit is the space dedicated to the Symphonic Band. The City has complied with a historical claim of more than fifty musical training. Teachers. What a contrast to facilities on Calle Padre Mariana! Behind there have Gone humidities as a companion test, the file of the music scores cast aside and many deficiencies not only unthinkable to host a band, but also for any municipal agency.

The hall 'hides' with its big panels the special interior. This first space enable small exhibitions. However, the most striking part of this entry is located to several feet high. In fact, have a look back once in to discover it. This is a gaston castelló mosaic that stayed in a municipal store. A mural that was in the old spanish american bank in the seaside and that, with the transformation of the building in the house of the festa, inexplicably  did not find accommodation.

After crossing this place the large rehearsal room, it looks like a dream for the band although there are some teachers who ensure that there is still some lack of space. Miguel Valor already knows and studies a solution. A pit for 150 people, and a few extra steps if they were required to give more meaning to the fair bet by the Symphonic Band. And behind another similar space dimensions dedicated to offices, locker rooms, file rooms and several rehearsal individual rooms, plus space to expose the most important instruments 'veterans'.

The next scenario is even more amazing if that is possible. The warehouse is dedicated to archaeological heritage city. In this case, the port, the hand of value and andrew miguel llorens, is at the rear door, the giving space unknown to most of alicante people. Green zone is a wasteland that once recovered, will complete the bet of las cigarreras..
The first impression of the interior of this warehouse is second thing, saving the distances,  that last scene 'in search of the lost ark.' hundreds, thousands of boxes with archaeological remains that remained until saved in stores now.

A great piece of history of alicante covering two floors where is now working personnel program using the ministry of economy. A discovery is all, never better. At this time, working for moving boxes each piece a approved by ministry of culture, a lot of work.

The third warehouse is not just a great challenge of municipal board culture, but even the city. It is a huge area of 2,842 square meters contemporary culture dedicated to the fullest of your senses. Arguably called in black and white room is possible almost everything. Amazing three floors, in a statement by your ability to accommodate any artistic expression.

It is not a bunch of offices or walls where to exhibit. It is conceived as a large stage space as a whole. The ground floor is starring white, with room for exhibitions that leads to one of the big surprises of The Cigarreras: Call Sala Negra, an area dedicated to any proposal from a play to a concert or scenography dance. The mezzanine floor has a predominant use: new technologies, for which Culture is already seeking an agreement with the CAM. And when the more or less traditional supply seems finished, bursts from the basement rehearsal rooms, two recording studios for video production, photographs, models and music ... to a small set.

This is The Cigarreras ... inside. Outside, the rehabilitation of the old Tobacco Factory is designed as a link between the neighborhoods of Pla, Carolinas and San Anton, an area marked by the vertical garden by the three warehouses and the new access to the cultural complex. There will no longer enter through the main gate of the former employees of the old Tabacalera, at the beginning of the street Sevilla. Access, which is almost complete, it will be by the confluence of the streets Mayor Suarez Llanos and San Carlos. Only one catch: it is a shame that the wall that separates the resort from the Place de la Pipa has not been broken down. Maybe it would have been possible a workaround by way of a lattice, from the street to allow the entire display space. Yes, it has enabled a small outdoor amphitheater in front of the vertical garden, near which there will be a café, as a new agora for the city.

The challenge will be to take advantage of all the possibilities, which are many and unknown in this county, these cultural spaces, especially closer to young people. No longer you will never be able to say that, for example, there is a lack of rehearsal rooms. And to do this Miguel Valor pull for one person. It is called Gertru Gomez, a restorative who has worked on several occasions for the council. In mid-September, the new Cigarreras will return.