Established as a famous tobacco factory in Alicante at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Cigar Cultural Center is an outstanding example of the region's architectural heritage, and as a major source of employment for thousands of workers over two centuries. It forms part of the collective memory of several generations of Alicante citizens. Tobacco production to the neighboring suburbs, the old factory was taken over by the city council, and a project to restore three of the factory’s warehouses turned this place into a prominent Spanish cultural venue. These restored warehouses now serve as a space for contemporary culture, housing the “black box”; It is a multifunctional hall for musical and theatrical performances, a national culture repository, a cultural heritage center, a house of music and many other recreational facilities.