Church tower of Santa María del Arrabal in Jumilla

The tower is all that remains of the former parish church of Jumilla

The church of Santa María del Arrabal was one of the oldest in Jumilla, having been built on the remains of a 12th and 13th-century Moorish burial ground in response to the teachings of San Vicente Ferrer. It was the parish church of Jumilla until the 16th century, when the Iglesia de Santiago was built, but was demolished in 1979 due to its advanced state of dilapidation.

However, perhaps surprisingly, the main tower was left standing, and can still be seen behind the Iglesia de Santiago, next to the Plaza de los Gastos and close to the foot of the path which leads up to the castle.

The name “del Arrabal” refers to the fact that it was located in one of the less salubrious areas of Jumilla: the “arrabal” was a term used to refer to residential zones outside the walls of Moorish towns, and was home to those of little wealth and social status.

The tower is located at the western end of the town of Jumilla, next to the Plaza de los Gastos.

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