Murcia, Spain

Murcia: Holidays with history

In Cartagena, we stumbled across the Roman theater, which once had room for up to 7000 spectators. Today it is preserved.

(Bild: © 2017 Shaun Dodds Photography)

The Spanish region of Murcia, with its capital of the same name, is not yet very well known, but with all the variety this region has to offer, that could change quickly. 

If you want to experience history, nature, adventure and plenty of culinary delights, this is the place for you. Treasures dating back thousands of years have been found by chance during excavation work throughout Murcia, planned construction projects have been stopped immediately or entire buildings have been moved, as both the government and citizens are visibly proud of their historical treasures. This is also the case in Cartagena. The port city with its naval base fascinates with a well-preserved Roman theater, which takes visitors on an exciting journey through time with its accompanying museum.

Not far away is Cabo de Palos, where a 54-metre-high lighthouse towers, which is still active today. Originally built in 1863 to detect and respond more quickly to attacks by African pirates, the Faro, as it is called in Spanish, is now open to the public. And rest assured, if you make the effort to climb the 280 steps, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view.

Murcia impresses with its magnificent buildings and impressive traditions.

(Bild: saiko3p - stock.adobe.com)

Along countless lemon and orange trees, which line all the streets and bear masses of fruit, the route continues to Lorca, where Murcia's largest castle is located. In addition to huge water cisterns and the foundations of several houses, archaeologists have discovered another special feature: a synagogue that was built underground because, according to the law of the time, it was not allowed to exceed the height of churches and its temple is therefore in surprisingly good condition.

INFO

TO GET THERE:
Ryanair flies twice a week from Klagenfurt to Alicante and back.

ACCOMMODATION:

• Hotel Rincón de Pepe Affiliated by Meliá
  www.melia.com/hotels/spanien/murcia
• Hotel Senator Águilas
  www.senatorhr.com/senator-aguilas
• Hotel Bajo el Cejo
  www.bajoelcejo.com

GENERAL:
www.turismoregiondemurcia.es
www.spai n.info/

Things get particularly lively in Lorca during Holy Week. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world are thrilled by the magnificent parades and emotional celebrations in which members of various brotherhoods parade through the streets on horseback. The elaborately crafted costumes worn by the participants are a characteristic feature. With around 100 needle stitches per square centimetre, which are painstakingly done by hand, the motifs look more like paintings. It is similar at the wine horse festival in Caravaca de la Cruz, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible World Heritage Site and where the animals are magnificently adorned with capes.

Murcia impresses with its magnificent buildings and impressive traditions.

(Bild: M. Karner)

Sports enthusiasts will get their money's worth in Murcia with diving or boat trips, such as those offered in Águilas. Hiking enthusiasts should not miss the Sierra Espuña Regional Park, which stretches up to 1500 meters above sea level. In the 17th century, 26 snow shafts were built there to produce ice for the wealthy population.

Culinary enthusiasts are spoiled with fish and seafood of all kinds as well as the typical local red wine Monastrell - cheers!