Made In Alicante

Made In Alicante is an intriguing exhibition about the many products which have been made in the Alicante region over the years. It’s free to go in, but be warned, if your Spanish isn’t up to scratch you’ll need a good dictionary (or an app) as, despite the moniker, there isn’t a word of English on any of the display panels!

It’s amazing to see the variety of things that the region has produced. Soap, shoes and cigars are some of the main items along with chocolate, toys and, of course, fresh produce. Of the latter, pomegranates and saffron seem to be the stars of the show.

A timeline runs along one wall highlighting memorable years during the past few centuries. There is one glaring error on it though. Can you spot it?

A map on the wall shows of all the places in the world to where local produce has been exported. It seems amazing to think that adulterated saffron could be packaged in Alicante and then distributed to a global market. What is “adulterated” saffron? You may well ask! Pure saffron is incredibly expensive, worth more than its weight in gold, some might say. Adulteration is when it is diluted with other products like turmeric, reducing both the value and the quality. Once upon a time it was an executable offence in some parts of the world!

The exhibition is housed in the Sala Municipal de Exposiciones Lonja de Pescado, an old fish market hall on the south side of Alicante’s marina. It is an impressive building in its own right and also houses a temporary art gallery at the moment. Don’t hesitate too long before going though. Made in Alicante was supposed to have been wrapped up in January but it has been extended until 21 February. Go now!!

The opening hours are as follows:
Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 – 14:00 and 16:00 – 22:00.
Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00 and 17:00 – 22:00.
Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 – 14:00.
Monday: Closed