The city of Elda is an industrial centre only 36 km. from Alicante , in the Valencia Community. The present day city dates back to the Arabic era and is sited around the former castle of the Counts of Elda. The city has developed in the direction of the river bed and nearby village of Petrer; this has resulted in the cities being separated only by a single street, the houses on one side belonging to Elda and those on the other to Petrer, well known too because of the leather factories: you can buy your shoes in Elda and your handbag across the street in Petrer!

The most important industry in Elda is footwear; the shoe industry had a consolidation process there in the 19 th century becoming the first economical activity in the area. Between 1960 and 1970, the local shoe industry began to acquire importance both in national and international markets because of the outstanding quality and design of its shoes.

The Museo del Calzado ( Footwear Museum ) is one of the principal tourist attractions in the area: since its opening in 1999 many persons have visited its halls where unique hand-made pieces, tools and catalogues are displayed. One can get to know how the manufacturing processes have been carried out from the handmade work to the present mechanized one.

There are four halls (covering 2000 square metres ) with permanent exhibitions and another one with temporary exhibitions based on a store of more than 15,000 pieces. Main entrance to the building is on street level and there are two lifts (one of them adapted to wheelchair users) in the main hall. There's a reception area on the ground floor ans next to it there's an accessible shop and one adapted toilet. Exhibition halls on the first floor (all one level ) display documents, drawings, photographs, catalogues and a vast number of other documents related to the story of shoe making. Both halls on the second floor ( one level , no barriers ) are filled with collections such as "Shoes with a history" (shoes that have belonged to famous artists, sportsmen, and well known professionals are displayed with a written anecdote about them), "Design in Footwear" (shoes created by Ferragamo, Paco Rabanne, Sacha London, Robert Clergerie, Charles Jourdan.), "History through Footwear", "Collections that were jewels" and many more. Tools and machinery used by shoemakers, even dated in the 19 th century, will let us follow the technical evolution of this industry.

Guided visits for groups (minimum 10 people) are available and should be arranged and booked in advance: showcases are opened by the staff for groups of blind visitors so that shoes and tools might be touched.

The Museum also provides educational activities for young children and school groups: "Pasa, Pisa y Mira" ("Step in, Step on and Watch") attempts to make kids aware of their cultural inheritance and importance of the shoemaking industry.

Museo del Calzado
Avenida de Chapi, 32 - 03600 ELDA
(Alicante)
Tel./Fax: +34 965 383 021
www.museocalzado.com
Email: info@museocalzado.com  

 

Rebecca Arce