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Discover More About The Murcia Region Of Spain..
...Its' Picturesque Location, Its' Towns, Cities And Villages, Its' History, Where To Go And What To See...
The Murcia Province
There's no doubt that it's the natural charms and contrasting scenery that makes the region of Murcia outstanding from other regions in Spain. As you travel throughout the region you will find lush green fertile valleys with pine clad mountains, orchards of citrus fruits, areas of dry, arid terrain filled with olives, vines and almonds, desert like areas that look like lunar landscapes, expansive natural open spaces that resemble something out of a spaghetti western covered in cacti and palms and a beautiful coastline with over 200 beaches.
Sleepy little villages, peaceful hidden hamlets and working towns, untouched by a rapidly changing modern world dot the landscape whilst in contrast, its cosmopolitan Capital, Murcia City, an outstanding place of culture and history, bustles with shopping and nightlife.
There are many interesting places to visit - too many to mention here, but listd below are just a few of the places that are well worth visiting and that are just a short drive from Villa El Angel.
Murcia City -The Capital Of The Region
Murcia city, the Capital of the region, is a modern, cosmopolitan city that is described as one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the country.It is a city where ancient and modern sit side by side. Just a 40 minute drive from Villa El Angel, Murcia city is well worth a visit - but make sure you allow plenty of time to see the many places of interest!
Murcia is a great place for shopping.Take a stoll down the old quarters of the city - a labyrinth of narrow streets that date back to the early 20th century and which are now filled with small shopping centres and traditional shops selling a range of goods, take a walk into the city centre and visit the modern stores, or browse one of the several markets that spread throughout the city.
The places of interest to see are many - the Cathedral, a building that was started in the 14th century and took a long four centuries to complete is the major attraction of the city and not one to be missed! Due to the long time it took to complete, the building enjoys a range of different architectural styles including Elizabethan and Baroque and has an astonishing Renaissance tower that stands an incredibly 92 metres high!
Across the square from the Cathedral, you can visit the 18th century Bishops Palace. Then take a look at some of the many churches that scatter the city - the Church of San Juan de Dios, San Nicolas and San Miguel, for example.
Visit the Palace of Amuldi which now serves as an art centre and hosts the ruins of the old walls that encircled the town in 11th and 12th centuries, the 16th century Convent of San Esteban - the first Jesuit school in Spain and where the Regional Government preside today, the 19th century Town Hall, the Romea Theatre and the casino - which is part museum and part exclusive high society club and includes the late Baroque hall, the great Neo-Nazarite patio, a corridor with a glass roof in the style of Victoria Station in London, the beautiful Louis XV ballroom and Pompeian courtyards.In the Convento de las Claras (also known as "the little Alhambra in Murcia" you'll find cloistered walls that have been closed to the secular world for almost eight centuries and the remains of a Mooorish palace - complete with mosaics, gardens and a patio of mixed Moorish, Almoravid and Nazarene styles - the only one of its kind in the world.
There are plenty of Museums to see too, including the Archaeological Museum, the Science Museum and the Museum devoted to Francisco Salzillo, painter and sculptor of religious imagery -see his famous depictions of the Holy Week processions and nativity scene.
And if you stop over for a drink or something to eat you'll be spoilt for choice as the city has an array of restaurants and bars.
The park is divided into two themed areas: the African Savannah and the Iberian Peninsula and houses more than 300 animals from 50 different species, some of which are in serious danger of extinction.There are also more than 500 examples of more than 50 different species of trees, shrubs and plants.
The park has lots of educational information, a range of shows and adventure activites making it a great interesting and entertaining day out for families.
Also, not far from the city centre of Murcia is the Agua Natura Water Park. The park is also known as Zanzibar and aims to recreate the Indian Ocean of the same name.
Adults and children can enjoy fun together on the water tower, on the oscillating water drum or with the relaxing water jets in the "Prison Island" pool. Or you can go on a gentle aquatic journey on a single or double float down R'Fui River. Children can enjoy themselves in the designated splash pool "Grave Island" trying out the water games and water chutes.
Sierra de la Pila National Park
Sierra de la Pila National Park is an outstanding place of natural beauty - a protected landscape of more than 8,836 square hectres. The park is filled with wildlife, so be sure to look out for the majestic Aguila Real Royal Eagle, the Peregrine Falcon and the wild boar and deer that roam freely through the mountains. The park has been declared a Special Protection Bird Area due to a great colony of red-billed chough that inhabit the terrain.
The pine forests, the erosion effects to the south slopes caused by a great number of ravines in the higher hillsides and the correded peaks on the lower levels all contribute to this fantastic scenery.
There are fragments of archeologiccal sites throughout the Sierra de la Pila mountains that originate from various ancient civilisations - the Iberians, Romans and Arabs have all left their mark on the landscape for you to discover on your ramblings.
Take a look in the preserved cavehouses and gain an insight into how the people in this area used to live in the not to distant past, discover the tiny mountain villages such as La Garapacha and Peňa Zafra or take up some food and drink and have a great BBQ in the very popular BBQ area (there are a number of stone berbeques and stone tables and seating for you to utilise).
Pinoso
Although Pinoso is situated in Alicante province, it's very close to the Murcia border and just a 10 minute drive from Villa El Angel. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the green pine groves of the Sierra del Coto, Pinoso is regarded as the 5th richest town in Spain, due to its local industries of salt and marble.
There is a beautiful modern theatre which hosts a range of shows and concerts – many of them for free. Call in and pick up the monthly programme (just look for the word “Gratis” for the free events).
Visit one of the bodegas and pick up some good quality local wine. If you want to stock up with fruit and veg, pop down to the market which is held every Saturday morning. Here you'll find a range of good local produce at good prices, as well as stalls selling clothing, hardware and a range of other goods.
The Clock Tower is the most original building in the town and the church has an unusual image of the Virgen del Remedio (the Virgin Healer) - a few years ago, the huge bell actually fell from the tower onto the pavement beneath!
A few minutes drive outside of Pinoso lies the tiny hamlet of Las Encebras, with its convent and Nature Reserve - very good for walks.
This beautiful countryside is a hue of colours throughout the year. In springtime the area becomes a mist of pink as the almond trees begin to blossom. Soon after, the reds of wild poppies, and brilliant colours of other wild flowers make a spectacular scene. During the summer months the fields become a mass of green with the leaves of the vines, in the autumn these turn to a mass of orange, yellow and reds.
Jumilla
The large town of Jumilla, a traditional Spanish working town, is approximately a 30 minute drive from Villa El Angel. As you approach the town by car you won't fail to miss the magnificent 15th century castle that sits proudly on the top of the hill and dominates the scenery.
Jumilla is reknowned for its good wines - it's been a wine producing region for over 2000 years now (began by the Romans) and its good quality wines are now exported all over the world. The town has many bodegas (wine distilleries) where you can can purchase the wine directly from the distillery. Jumilla is so proud of its wine making that there are even "Wine Tours" where you book onto a trip and visit several distilleries in the area - sampling the wine, meeting with wine producers, visit historical centres and have a stop off for a traditional spanish lunch. Every year in August, the town hosts its Wine Festival - a 10 day event full of entertainment and merriment!
The town is steeped in history. In addition to the castle, where the many populations of Jumilla (dating right back to the Bronze Age) built their defences on the mountains and where the defence works and the walls built by the Moors to protect themselves from the attacks of the Christian army during the great battles of the Reconquest still stand in the parade ground, there are many other places to see.
Take a visit to the 15th century Church of Santiago (declared a National Monument because of its gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture), the 16th century Old Council building and the 19th century Vico Theatre designed by architect Justo Milan (who also created the Romea Teatro in Murcia).
You'll also find many archaeological sites and cave paintings (some of which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO). The town has a Tourist Information Centre which will be able to help you locate all of these interesting places, including the amazing Cueva del Peliciego cave where you'll be able to witness the marks left by the people of the Bronze Age and Iberian cultures.
There are many museums in Jumilla, which goes to show how much these town people value their history and cultural heritage. Most of these are devoted to archaelogy - the main one being the Jeronimo Molino minicipal museum which was previously the city hall and jail.
Other museums mostly centre around religion, such as the Capilla Museo de la Cofradia del Rollo (El Rollo Brotherhood Museum Chapel), the Museo de Semana Santa (Holy Week Museum) the Capilla Museo de la Cofradia de San Pedro (San Pedro Brotherhood Museum Chapel) and the Museo Franciscano (Franciscan Museum) in the Santa Ana Monastery.
The people of Jumilla are particularly proud of their parks, squares, promenades and tree lined avenues. The city has beautiful Botanical Gardens that you can find just 1km from the city - a great spot for relaxing at the end of a tiring day.
There are also many bars and restaurants if you want to stop for a drink and bite to eat, supermarkets, banks post office etc. A large street market is held every Tuesday.
Fortuna
Fortuna, another typical Spanish town, famous for its spa baths and its hydrotherapy and beauty treatments associated with its natural hot spring waters can be reached in 30 minutes by car from Villa El Angel.
This large town, with its peaceful streets and white church with unusual tower is yet unexploited, away from the tourist hustle and bustle - and said to be the hottest place in Spain, with temperatures reaching a very hot 40 degrees in the summer months.
A great day out can be had at the historic spa Balneario de Fortuna-Leana. The spa was originally built in 1896 and has recently been thoroughly renovated. Its pools and baths take advantage of 126°F (52.2°C) thermal waters that bubble from beneath the ground - the same waters valued by the ancient Romans and Iberians centuries ago! People come from all over Europe to visit the spa and benefit from its amenities.
Spend the day in a relaxed and luxurious environment. The swimming pools are at a constant 35 - 37 degrees of natural spring water. There are many treatments available too, such as a natural spring water massage, steam treatments that are carried out in the beautiful marble turkish bath and a range of beauty treatments, all carried out by fully qualified staff. You can even enjoy something to eat and drink - there is a wide range of traditional Spanish tapas to choose from.The phenomenal archaeological site El Balneario Romano, just 3km north of Fortuna in the Sierra del Baño, dates back over two thousand years ago, when it was the site of both an Iberian and Roman spa. Excavations started at the site in 1991 and it was found that the site consists of a Hostelry, thought to date back to the 1st century AD which was made up of several small rooms (lodgings for the ancient spa) and a 1st century BC Nymphaeum. Successive digs between 1999 and 2001 revealed a semicircular, stepped sanctuary around a fissure where the thermal waters used to rise to the earth's surface.
Other attractions to visit include: La Cueva Negra (the Black Cave) with its numerous inscriptions dating back to the 1st century, Castillejo de los Banos, an archaelogical site of tombs and artefacts including Iberian weapons and ceramics, the ruins of Castillico de las Peñas (Castle of the Rocks), which survived the Second Punic war and was inhabited until the end of the 2nd century AD and which has finds dating back to the 5th century BC, Castillo de los Moros (or Torre Vieja) that dates back to the 12th or 13th century and is one of the very few pieces of evidence of Moorish occupation in Fortuna, Fuente de Fortuna (or Source of Fortune) - the site of the spring that the village of today was built around. The fountain structure was rediscovered near the streets of San Leandro and San Isidro in 1991 - the age of the structure is still hotly debated...from 16th century Renaissance, to the late 18th century, the Iglesia de la Purísma Concepción de Fortuna, built between 1728 and 1744 which stands proudly in the towns' central square, the Town Hall, a modern building whose vestibule is decorated with oil canvases and driving outward from Fortuna you will come across large expanses of dry, arid land that resembles a lunar lanscape. The area has undergone many scientific examinations and it is said that in years to come, this region will turn to desert.
Abanilla
The quaint litttle country village of Abanilla is aproximately 30 minutes drive from Villa El Angel and is well worth a visit. Here you will find a place where it seems as if time has stood still. There are narrow climbing street, shops hidden behind the beaded curtains of their doorways and an ancient public laundry with its old sinks and washboards that is still used today by the inhabitants of this charming village.
On the Plaza de la Purisma you will find the impressive church of San Jose. In the Plaza de la Constitucion there is the impressive Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) dating back to 1762 and towering above the village (a hundred steps to reach!) stands the Corazon de Jesus (Heart of Jesus) statue in the Plaza de Corazon - a beautiful park area with the most spectacular views over the village and surrounding countryside. Of an evening, the statue is lit up and is a magnificent sight.
During the summer months, the village takes on a different atmosphere. On an evening the village comes alive as the bars and restaurants line the streets with tables and chairs - (the caracole bar - the "Snail Bar" is particularly popular) and the residents sit outside their homes chattering away with their neighbours until the early hours of the morning.
Elche
In approximately 30 minutes by car, you can be in the town of Elche, Europe's greatest palm grove. It has 200,000 palm trees fully protected by law. To the southeast of the city you will find the Fondó d'Elx-Crevillent lagoons which form a large nature park that has a wide variety of animal species & plant life - and Europe's only population of marbled ducks.
In 1897, The Lady of Elche bust was found at Elche's old Roman site.The site is located about 2 kms south of town. The original statue is now in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. 3
3km further south you will find L'Alcudia, an archaeological site and you will find traces of Arab culture at The Vila Murada or walled town.The Contemporary Art Museum can be found in the old Moorish & Jewish quarter, The Raval.