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Date Published: 21/03/2025

Almoradí earthquake museum opens today

The museum gives visitors a chance to relive the 1829 earthquake and the town’s reconstruction

The town of Almoradí, located in the Vega Baja region of Alicante, has officially opened its long-awaited Earthquake Museum today. The museum is housed in the only remaining home from the town’s post-earthquake reconstruction in 1829, following the devastating earthquake that levelled much of the region.

The museum will offer an immersive experience, allowing visitors to travel back in time and feel what life was like for those living in Almoradí during the earthquake and the rebuilding efforts that followed.

At the time, 124 houses were constructed as part of a reconstruction plan for the victims, with the only surviving house being transformed into this educational space. Thanks to a €216,000 grant from the Alicante Provincial Council, the rehabilitation of this space has been made possible, with the aim of offering both residents and tourists a deeper connection to the history of the town. The museum will also focus on raising awareness about natural hazard prevention, an issue especially relevant to this earthquake-prone area.

As well as commemorating the town’s resilience, the museum will honour the work of José Agustín de Larramendi, the architect responsible for the town’s new layout. Larramendi designed a grid-like street plan, which has become one of Almoradí’s defining features and played a key role in making the reconstruction possible. His contribution to the town's recovery will be celebrated throughout the museum.

The museum is expected to become a vital educational tool, offering a rich historical experience and highlighting Almoradí’s journey from destruction to rebirth. It is set to open its doors this spring, with the City Council confident that the museum will soon become a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike, providing an important tribute to the people who rebuilt the town after such a devastating disaster.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Almoradi

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