Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Almacenes de la Peñuelas; 0952 97 62 16; Plaza Pedro de Estopiñán; 10am-2pm & 5-9pm Tue-Sat,
10am-2pm Sun summer; 10am-2pm & 4-8pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun winter)
This museum
charts the history of the Amazigh (Berber) and Sephardic (Jewish) cultures in Melilla.
Aljibes de las Peñuelas
HISTORIC BUILDING
( 10am-2pm & 5-9.30pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun Apr-Sep)
The small door across the
courtyard leads into the cave-like, other-worldly cistern that is still flowing.
Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción
CHURCH
(Parish of the Immaculate Conception; 0952 68 15 16; 10am-3pm & 4-9pm Tue-Sat,
10am-12.30pm Sun)
This 17th-century church is worth a stop for its resplendent nave.
Las Cuevas del Conventico
HISTORIC BUILDING
(Caves of the Convent; 0952 68 09 29; admission €1.20; 10.30am-1.30pm & 4.30-8pm Tue-Sat,
10.30am-2pm Sun)
These extensive and well-restored caves were used as a refuge during
sieges, and pop out at a small beach below the cliffs. The Calle de la Concepción contin-
ues up to the baroque Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción and, just below it, the entrance to
Las Cuevas del Conventico. A short film and guided tour (both in Spanish) detail the his-
tory of the caves and tunnels that lead to the cliff face. The Phoenicians first excavated the
tunnels; later occupiers took turns enlarging them and they now extend over three levels.
They are meticulously maintained and well lit, which sadly eliminates much of their mys-
tery.
Museo Militar
MUSEUM
( 0952 68 55 87; 10am-2pm Tue-Sun)
The history of the Spanish protectorate is
dominated by military history, and this museum is the one place where you can feel the
grand sweep of that violent drama, with martial music playing in the background. Don't
miss the antique photographs room, where biplanes, legionnaires and Berber horsemen all
fuse into a dreamy adventure novel, or the 'do not touch the cannonballs' sign, which is
straight from
Dr Strangelove
.
