Orihuela’s newly restored Miguel Hernández Cultural Centre has hosted its first public event since reopening, with a conference dedicated to the Los Saladares archaeological site.
The talk, titled Los Saladares: An Exceptional Archaeological Site, was organised by Orihuela City Council’s Historical Heritage Department and drew a near-capacity audience to the building’s historic Ballroom, one of the key spaces recovered during the restoration.
The event was attended by Orihuela mayor Pepe Vegara, Historical Heritage councillor Matías Ruiz, Maribel Peñalver, director of the University of Alicante’s Archbishop Loazes Chair, and Alberto Lorrio, Professor of Prehistory at the University of Alicante and scientific director of the Los Saladares excavations.
Ruiz said the event marked the start of a new phase for the cultural centre, which is intended to host regular conferences, cultural activities and heritage events. He also highlighted the importance of recovering historic buildings and making them active spaces for public use.
Lorrio outlined the significance of Los Saladares, regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in south-eastern Spain for understanding communities from the Bronze Age and early Iron Age.
The mayor said the centre would become a cultural reference point for Orihuela. The next event will take place on Tuesday, June 2, with the official presentation of the Archbishop Loazes Chair.
