Villajoyosa is the capital of the `Marina Baixa´, in Alicante's Costa Blanca. Learn about some accessible tourist attractions the Vila offers.

Villajoyosa, La Vila , as it's usually called by the locals, stretches alongside a beautiful, palm-lined sandy beach which culminates in the little port. Don't miss the colourful façades designed that way to ensure that sailors could spot their houses from afar. The old walled village centre is a good place to stop and wander about. The Municipal Service of Guided Cultural Tours was established in 1998 aiming to introduce visitors as well as local people to the cultural heritage of the town and its municipal area. These visits (available in English, too) are carried out by specialised personnel under the responsibility of the Museum. Both the Old Town and the Chocolate Museum Tour are wheelchair accessible : touring the old village can be adapted to wheelchair users and will take you to many interesting places like the Iglesia de la Asunción (fully accessible). The Service carries out these tours for organized groups and for pre-arranged private individuals: the Museum of Villajoyosa should be contacted in advance and meeting point to start the tour is usually set at your convenience.

History within everybody's reach at the Archaeological Museum and the Museum de la Barbera: two accessible to PRM cultural attractions to be enjoyed involving all your senses.

The Museum of Villajoyosa houses one of the most outstanding archaeological collections in the Valencian autonomous region: the management has developed a wide range of conservation and investigation projects, emphasizing on educational activities and striving to make its exhibitions, programs, and services accessible to everyone. All amenities and services provided at the Archaeological Museum of Villajoyosa have been designed taking into account special needs of people with communication and/or mobility impairments. A new building adapted for all visitors with disabilities is being carried out, but the one at present is accessible from the street by a portable ramp that is set by the museum staff (a call in advance might be advisable). There is a ramp actually, but the slope is steeper than that required. The premises inside are barrier-free and all display cases, panels and models are placed at a height that allows easy viewing for standing adults, children and wheelchair users.

Amongst the resources for the blind or the visually impaired are four hands-on models/mockups with signs in Braille and an audio display in Valencian, Spanish and English: Phoenician Necklace (enlarged 12 times), the Saint Joseph Funerary Tower, the Historic Old Town at the beginning of the 18 th century and the l'Aguiló Watchtower. Some archaeological specimens (stone inscriptions, amphora or Iberian Sculpture) can be handled by these groups of people provided that advance notice is given to the museum staff. Fuser Plates (information sheets drawn in relief) about drawings and monuments (including the temporary exhibits) are available too. Texts are printed in large type and well contrasted on a neutral background. There is a "sensory" table which displays Roman and modern concrete and reproductions of perfume bottles containing natural aromas used by the Romans. Films with subtitles are produced by the Museum and all touchable models have the printed text of the audio for deaf/hearing impaired persons.

There's no wheelchair adapted toilet at the moment, but any of the two adapted toilets at the Museo de la Barbera can be used: one of them is located on the ground floor while the second one is on the first floor.

Less than 100 metres from the Archaeologichal Museum there's a parking lot just opposite to the Museo de la Barbera gardens. Barbera dels Aragonessos is a Manor House built during the 18th century: the Aragones family arrived around the 15 th century and were important land owners all over the region. The House is fully adapted to wheelchair users: there are many kinds of different objects in the house and thousands of household furnishings, which have an important value culturally and which provide a good illustration of daily life in the last few centuries. Everything is displayed around the house as if the owners were about to come back any time while one is peering into the rooms or watching objects carefully arranged inside the showcases (placed at a height that allows easy viewing for all).There's a visitors reception area on the ground floor, and besides all items of ethnographic or historical interest, an ancient typical kitchen can be visited. The first floor is accessible by means of a lift that can easily accommodate a wheelchair user with companion. All visits to the House are guided by a person experienced in guiding people with impairments, who will explain all about the house and the interesting grafitti and panels.

The surrounding gardens/park have been adapted to persons with mobility impairments and are accessible too: concrete-paved pathways wide enough for wheelchair users lead to the shadow of magnificent trees and plants instilling that sense of peace in the midst of nature. An accessible coffee-shop, children's playground and archaeological area will soon be available in the gardens.

Museo Arqueológico Municipal de Villajoyosa y Museo de la Barbera
C/ Barranquet, 4
03570 Villajoyosa (Alicante)
Tel. - Fax: +34 965 89 01 50
E-mail: museo@villajoyosa.com
www.museusdelavilajoiosa.com

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