The region of Murcia

The coastline of the province Murcia is part of the Costa Cálida which has a length of about 165 miles and an average of 315 sunny days (2.800 sun hours!) per year. This Costa Cálida offers two different seas namely the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean. The Mar Menor (translation: “small sea”) is the largest natural pool in the world where many kinds of water sports are possible.

On the other hand the Mediterranean offers clear water, many long sandy beaches and small bays. Further it is one of the most beautiful diving locations of Spain.

However the Costa Cálida offers more than alone sun, sea and beach. Many people love the various interesting cities, culture, the local markets and the Spanish kitchen.

Cities

The city Murcia

The city Murcia is situated in the southeast of Spain and is the capital of the province Murcia. The city was founded in 831 A.D. and lies next to the Segura River, a place where Iberian and Roman settlements were thought to exist in ancient times. Within the foundation of the city Murcia a 50 feet tall wall was erected for defence. Once the wall comprised of up to 95 towers which shows how important Murcia at that time was as commercial center.

From 1266 A.D. onwards Murcia underwent a complete transformation. Guilds start playing an important role. It was that time when important streets arose like Trapería, Platería and Vidrieros. Mosques disappeared and were replaced by Christian temples.

In the sixteenth Century the city had a lot of misfortune to bear such as epidemics and floods. In the eighteenth Century Murcia overcame these problems and in the nineteenth Century Murcia continued to expand and set the foundations for the present city.

Nowadays the city is an important center for trade and transport. The ground in Murcia and surroundings is by means of irrigation very fertile. Therefor many kinds of fruits and vegetable, as citrus fruits, grains, olives, peppers and artichokes come from the region of Murcia.

For the shopping lovers a visit at the large fancy department store “El Corte Inglés” is certainly recommendable. You will find this department store at the Gran Via Escultor Francisco Salcillo 42.

Among others you will find the following monuments in Murcia:

La Cathedral de Santa Maria - Plaza Hernández Amores

The building was started in the fourteenth Century and was throughout it's history constructed in several phases by different architects. The cathedral is a good example of the use of various styles of architecture. E.g. the tower which is 300 feet high is a combination of Tuscan and Baroque architecture.

The cathedral can be visited daily between 10.00 – 13.00 and 17.00 – 19.00 hour.

The Casino - Trapería, 22

The Casino dates from 1847 and different architects spent about 50 years on the construction. The Casino is not a casino as we know it, it has a lot of different functions like a library, congressroom and artgallery. Very impressive is the ballroom (see photograph) which was built between 1870 and 1875.

The museum Salzillo - Plaza San Augustín, 3

This building was founded in 1941 and exhibits currently the work of the famous Spanish sculptor Salzillo Alcaraz (1707-1783). His work shows his passion for religion.

The Great Casino of Murcia - Plaza Aposteles, 34

This building is a casino as we know it with different playtables, bars and restaurants.

The city Cartagena

Cartagena is a three thousand years old city with a rich past. Started as settlement, it is in 223 B.C. founded by the Carthaginians as “Quart Hadas”. Then the Romans came for five hundred years during which the city was in making as commercial center. After the Romans were chased, the city was successively ruled by the Byzantinians, the Arabs and the Castillians. During this period the city declined. Only in the eighteenth Century the city started flourishing.

The port of Cartagena is already for more than two thousand years a considerably strategic point. Admiral Nelson praised the port as one of the safest of the Mediterranean Sea. Even nowadays the port of Cartagena is the naval port of Spain and is also seen as one of the most beautiful natural ports in the world. The old downtown is surrounded by the so-called "Muralla del Mar", a wall with 8 gates.

The city has among others the following archaeological sights:

The Roman Theatre

Dates from the first century B.C. and is seen as one of the most important Roman theatres of Spain. The theatre was discovered in 1987 and the excavations are being proceeded with until this day. The theatre can be daily visited (a guided tour is possible).

The Museum "Arqueológico Municipal"

Exhibits archaeological discoveries and contains information about the most important archeological activities from the sixteenth Century. Daily opened.

The National archeological naval museum

Opened in 1982 at the same time with the National center for archaeological underwater investigations. Exhibits the remains of various found wrecks and a diagonal section of a Roman merchant ship.

Crafts center “El Centro de Artesanía”

In this center the work of various local hand workers is shown and offered for sale. You will obtain a good impression of all what is made in the region (processed materials: ceramics, glass, textile).

Alicante is a sparkling city at the Costa Blanca situated between mountains. Three thousand years ago the first inhabitants established themselves on the slopes of the mountain Benacantil. They occupied the castle of Santa Barbara that offered protection through its altitude and the vicinity from the sea. With the arrival of the Muslims, Alicante began to link the present city to the shelter of the castle.

Nowadays Alicante is also the capital of the province Alicante. The harbour of this city is still important, along this harbour a long boulevard is situated which is very convenient for beautiful evening walks. Furthermore Alicante has plenty of beautiful beaches and a large number of interesting monuments and museums.

You will find the following sights in Alicante:

The castle of Santa Barbara

This castle is situated on the top of the 166 meters high Benacantil mountain and gives because of this a brilliant view over the city. At the foot of the mountain the beach "El Postiguet" is situated. The castle dates from the 9th Century, however there are excavations known which date from the Bronze Age. Currently a part of the collection of the sculptor Capa is exhibited in the castle. Opening hours:

November – March: 09.00 – 19.00 hour

April – October: 10.00 – 20.00 hour

The Archeological provincial museum

This museum is located in the Provincial Palace (the council house). The museum has a large collection of archeological remains of which only a limited selection of the most important pieces are actually on display for the public. Note-worthy are the dowries from the Bronze Age and the collections of Spanish and Roman ceramics including a valuable collection from the 16th-19th century. Opening hours:

Tuesday-Saturday: 10.00 - 14.00 en 16.00 - 20.00 hour

Sunday and holidays: 10.00 - 14.00 hour

Manucipal museum "Casa de la Asegurada"

This museum was constructed in the 17th century and is throughout its history used for various purposes: granery, prison, storehouse for the artillery and a school. Nowadays it accommodates a 20th century art collection donated to the city by the artist Eusebio Sempere. The collection contains works of the major Spanish artists: Tàpies, Alfaro, Miró and Picasso.

Nature Parks

In the region of Murcia you will find among others the below mentioned nature parks.

Regional park "Calblanque"

This park, situated south of the Mar Menor, consists of a beautiful coast with high dunes, long golden sandy beaches and a deepblue sea. But this park also has a lot of birds and plants. Calblanque can be visited on foot, on bicycle or on horse-back. For more information and/or guided tours please contact the following phone number: 968 362 513.

Regional park “Salinas y Arenales”

This park is located in San Pedro del Pinatar and is the most important wetland of the province Murcia. Each year at the end of the summer many flamingos gathers here to fly together to the north of Africa. This park has a surface of about 2250 acres of which only a part is open for public. This part consists of pine trees, dunes, beautiful sandy beaches and cristalclear water.

Nature park “Sierra Espuña”

This beautiful park is located just behind Alhama de Murcia and is very special because here still live wild goats and lynxes. In wintertime the tops of the mountains are covered with snow.

Fiestas

Well-known in Spain are the regional celebrations. Each city has its own holidays. Please find below a summary of the most known celebrations in Murcia, Cartagena and Alicante.

Murcia

5/6 January - Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings)

Fiesta for children. On the 5th of January spectacular parades at which small presents are thrown from the floats to the children watching the parades.

Easter period - La Semana Santa (The Holy Week)

Starts on the Friday 10 days preceding Easter and lasts till Easter Sunday. During these days the heart of the city is decorated colourfully and a procession is held on each of the days.

Tuesday after Easter - Bando de la Huerta

Local people are wandering through the city in typical costumes. During this fiesta there are many stands in the city where wine and food from the traditional kitchen of Murcia can be obtained.

Saturday after Easter - Entierro de la Sardine

Closing of the spring festivals. A parade with fanfare music and people dressed as giants and dwarfs go through the city. Toys are handed out from the floats to the children in the crowd. At night there is a big fair and a huge firework spectacle.

2nd tuesday in Sept. - Romería de la Fuensanta

Silent parade, in honor of the virgin Fuensanta, from the cathedral of Murcia to a church in the mountains.

Septemberfeasts - Fiestas de Septiembre

From the first Friday in September till the second Monday afterwards. During these days there is a large fair for young and old, concerts are given and various bull fights can be visited.

Cartagena

Autumn feasts - end of September, start on Friday and end 10 days later on Sunday.

Fiesta of the Carthaginians and the Romans what goes back to the time of general Hannibal. Characteristics feasts: population changed their clothes (from time Hannibal) and many processions;

End of June - Los Fogueras de Sant Joan

Dozens of monuments made of wood and paper-mâché are assembled in the streets throughout the city. In the streets humoristic, satirical and critical acts about daily life are performed. On the night of 24 June there is a great firework spectacle after which all previous mentioned monuments are set alight.

Directly there after - La Fiesta de San Pedro

Starts directly after Los Fogueras de Sant Joan. Many colourful processions, fireworks and live music and dances.

September - La Fiesta de Moros y Christianos

One of the oldest celebrations of Alicante during the first two weeks of September at which many processions are being held.