A vindication of Gothic stone construction techniques in the Caravaca park of Mayrena The new public park of Mayrena in Caravaca de la Cruz is now adorned with a stone construction named “La Primera Morada” in tribute to one of the leading lights..

The Acueducto del Pontón stands in an area formerly used for salt production in Jumilla At a cost of just 2,500 euros the Town Hall of Jumilla has completed a clean-up of the area around the historic Acueducto del Pontón just outside the town, eliminating..

Calasparra in north-western Murcia celebrates its main culinary and agricultural speciality There are many attractions in and around the town of Calasparra, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, including the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza..

The city of Caravaca prepares for the annual fiestas and the Running of the Wine Horses in early May The “Templete”, a kind of elaborate historic pergola building in Caravaca de la Cruz, is one of the city’s most iconic monuments and is often..

50 artistic masterpieces at the Convento de San Esteban in Cehegín The touring exhibition “El Prado en las Calles” is set for a few months in various locations in the Region of Murcia this spring and early summer, beginning with the town of Ceheg..

A wide range of artists such as David Bisbal and Ana Torroja head the bill at the biggest summer event in the north-west of Murcia Although its’ being held for only the third time this year the “Noches del Camino” music festival in Caravaca..

Witness the “Acto de la Cortesía” during the Good Friday morning procession in the Plaza Mayor of Yecla This special tour of Yecla coincides with the Good Friday procession through the streets of the town with participants learning about the..

This Caravaca cycling tour includes optional stops at two archaeological sites One of two recommended short cycling trips for those who are not accompanied by small children, this route is entitled “Culture, Water and Roots” and covers a distance..

A protected Regional Park which has barely been altered by human activity over the millennia The Regional Park of the Sierra de la Pila is an area of 8,836 hectares in the north-east of the Region of Murcia, occupying parts of the municipalities of..

ARCHIVED ARTICLE - The warmth of romantic settings more than makes up for the cold winter nights in the north of Murcia… It seems as though the extended Spanish Christmas, New Year and Three Kings festivities have only just ended, but already..

The 15th-century castle of Jumilla has been restored to close to its original condition During the spring of 2026 the castle of Jumilla is open to visitors at weekends and on public holidays between 10.00 and 14.00, enabling you to visit this faithfully..

The Easter processions began over 600 years ago in Jumilla! The official poster promoting the events during Easter Week in Jumilla, which have been awarded International Tourist Interest status in recognition of their deep-rotted traditions and the..

Posters and leaflets are on display this week at the huge FITUR tourism fair in Madrid As we grit our teeth (if not the roads!) and put up with the cold of January throughout Spain, in Jumilla this week they’re already looking forward to the month..

A historic town in the captivating countryside of northern Murcia with unique gastronomic, wine-making and fiesta traditions! Yecla is the northernmost municipality of the Region of Murcia, and its inland location means that it is often lower down..

History, wine, breathtaking landscapes, a medieval castle and some of the most widely acclaimed Spanish wine! Jumilla, which lies in the “Altiplano” area in the north of the Region of Murcia, is one of the many towns in Spain which are full of..

Superb winery and vineyard tours, tastings, meals and a wonderful all-round experience in the landscape of Murcia Many places in inland Murcia have recently been celebrating World Wine Tourism Day, with special events such as winery tours, museum..

Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza has featured in the Semana Santa processions of Jumilla since the year 2000 The annual Easter Week processions are being prepared once again in Jumilla, where the event has been awarded International Tourist Interest..

Striking images of the 600-year-old Easter traditions in Jumilla This is the 43rd annual exhibition of photographs entered into the Luis Canicio photography competition related to the Semana Santa celebrations of Jumilla, and can be visited at the..

The traditional Easter processions of Yecla date back to at least the 16th century As in many other parts of the Region of Murcia Semana Santa is a very important week in the calendar of Yecla and a number of impressive processions are held featuring..

The Jumilla Easter celebrations date back at least 600 years and are among the oldest on record in Spain With a history which dates back over six hundred years the Easter celebrations in Jumilla are among the oldest in Spain, documentary records..

The main processions in Caravaca are on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Easter Week In the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz the first known documentary references to the celebration of Semana Santa, or Easter Week, date back to the 16th century..

10,000-year-old paintings in the rock shelters of Calar de la Santa The town of Moratalla in north-western Murcia is working hard on increasing the tourist attractions and activities in the municipality, a good example being this guided tour to some..

Preparations are under way in Caravaca for the fiestas and the Running of the Wine Horses Anticipation is already running high in Caravaca de la Cruz as the dates of the annual fiestas in the first week of May draw nearer and nearer, and in preparation..

Enjoy the city centre as you discover some of the favourite snacks of Caravaca! In 2025 the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has joined forces with local restaurants to launch a series of five easily affordable gastronomic routes in and around the..

St John of the Cross was canonized 300 years ago and made a Doctor of the Church 100 years ago San Juan de la Cruz (1542-91) was a Catholic priest and mystic and a Carmelite friar who spent various years in Caravaca, which he visited seven times..

22 figures created over the last 30 years at the Casa del Artesano in Jumilla The Casa del Artesano in Jumilla is holding an exhibition of the work of Basque sculptor Eduardo Beristain until 10th May under the title of “Vida Sentida”. On display..

Serenades and great music at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla Organized by the local Alzheimer support association in Jumilla, this event includes various performances by “tuna” musical groups (male voice choirs singing coplas and other tunes accompanied..

Valuable life lessons for youngsters in a fun show at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla “Bobo” is a puppet show based on a situation which alters the lives of many infants of toddlers. Mainly the arrival of a new baby brother or sister and the feelings..

Caravaca prepares for its May fiestas at the latest Pilgrims' Market During 2026 the Pilgrims’ Market of Caravaca de la Cruz is being held on six occasions, each of them following a certain theme as the city celebrates its status as a constant..

The history and prehistory of the Altiplano area at the Cayetano de Mergelina Museum in Yecla The Museo Arqueológico Municipal Cayetano de Mergelina in Yecla contains 8 exhibition rooms in which the history of the area is traced from prehistoric..

Violinist Sofía Guillamón and pianist Francisco Javier Sánchez at the Casa de la Música in Jumilla The chamber music season at the Casa de la Música y las Artes in Jumilla on Friday 24th April with two young talents, violinist Sofía Guillamó..

The arrival of this popular character heralds the start of the fiestas in Caravaca prior to the Running of the Wine Horses on May 2 One of the sure signs that the annual fiestas in Caravaca de la Cruz, which include the Running of the Wine Horses..

The la Cómica Company offer entertainment for all ages at the Teatro Vico in Jumilla Julia is a compulsive liar whose condition begins to worry her husband Carlos as it worsens, and this dark premise is the subject for what is actually a light-hearted..

Visit the legendary mountain and the 10,000-year-old prehistoric artwork of Yecla This guided hike at the mystical mountain of Monte Arabí in Yecla, in the north of Murcia, is of special interest not only to palaeontologists and archaeologists, due..

The Jubilee celebrates the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the figure of the Virgen de las Maravillas in Cehegín On 25th July 2025 a year-long Holy Jubilee Year begins in the town of Cehegín in the north-west of the Region of Murcia in honour..

Enjoy the city centre as you discover some of the favourite snacks of Caravaca! In 2025 the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has joined forces with local restaurants to launch a series of five easily affordable gastronomic routes in and around the..

A brilliant healthy way to discover the city and surroundings of Caravaca One of the most enjoyable, healthiest and most environmentally-friendly ways to explore any location is on the saddle of your bike, and these guided excursions in the holy city..

Olive oil tourism in the Region of Murcia Here in the Region of Murcia olive oil is an essential part of our culture and our history, and now of our tourist activity as well! Olive oil is becoming more and more popular and rightly so, representing..

Hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and the simple joy of the countryside in Caravaca, Cehegín and Calasparra Source: ITREM The River Argos is far from being a major waterway but it is one of the natural jewels of the north-west of the Region of Murcia..

This meat and flatbread meal has nothing to do with Andalusian gazpacho! Those of us who live on the coast tend to think we know about gazpacho, the cool summer drink made from blended tomato, cucumber and other ingredients. But don’t imagine that..

A lovely tasty and filling accompaniment to the Easter Week processions of Jumilla! Particularly popular during the processions and celebrations of Semana Santa in Jumilla, which have been awarded International Tourist Interest status, this humble..

A popular rural tourism destination with a prestigious musical museum on the high ground of north-western Murcia Barranda is a small village in the high ground of north-western Murcia on the RM-730 road between Caravaca de la Cruz and La Puebla de..

A chance to see the incredible embroideries of the Running of the Wine Horses up close If you’re in the Region of Murcia on May 2 then take the opportunity to witness one of the most memorable and unique fiestas to be seen anywhere in Spain and..

Up to 72 hours free motor home camping close to the city centre of Caravaca The council-run motor home and caravan park in Caravaca de la Cruz is located 2 kilometres from the RM-15 motorway alongside the RM-715 in Calle Pabellón (click for map)...

A popular walking and picnic area and home to a sleeping giant named Tomir! Peña Rubia is a vertical limestone peak in the Cerro Gordo area of mountainous terrain, surrounded by pine forest and a perfect mountain ecosystem. The escarpments reach..

A picturesque rural retreat, a popular rural tourism destination and a wealth of history shared with Caravaca The village of Archivel lies in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz between Barranda (also in Caravaca) and Campo de San Juan (in Moratalla..

The Museo de Música Étnica y Colección Carlos Blanco Fadol in Barranda The man responsible for this amazing place is a remarkable man by the name of Carlos Blanco Fadol. There are many accomplished musicians throughout the world with a passion..

Caravaca de la Cruz is a focal point for spirituality and culture during 2024 Source: ITREM, regional tourist board of Murcia, “La belleza de lo Extraordinario” It’s always a great time to visit the Region of Murcia but in 2024 that’s doubly..

A 78-kilometre hiking and cycling route full of beautiful scenery and cultural and historical significance The Vía Verde del Noroeste (the Greenway of the North-west) is one of the most important ecological routes in the Region of Murcia and is also..

Millennia of archaeological remains have been found in the picturesque mountain scenery of La Encarnación It has been said that if one place in the Region of Murcia above all others can boast archaeological remains which transcend the centuries..

The second most important place of worship in Caravaca The parish church of El Salvador in Caravaca de la Cruz (Parroquia de El Salvador) plays an important part in the Holy Jubilee celebrations which are held every seven years in the city, and is..

A harder job would be to name reasons NOT to visit Yecla and Jumilla! If you’re one of those whose knowledge of the Region of Murcia is limited to the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, couple of local watering holes or restaurants..

The Vía Verde del Chicharra covers a distance of 31.6 kilometres The Vía Verde del Chicharra is a greenway which has been created, like many others, by making use of an old disused railway trackbed, this one running from Yecla in the north of the..

100% ecological family-run winery supporting the Ruta del Vino de Yecla Bodegas Evine is an ecological family-run winery operating under the Denominación de Origen de Yecla (D.O. Yecla) which produces small volumes of wine, the emphasis being on..

The mid-May fiestas feature folk dancing, music and the famous parade of floats made from quilled paper Every year in mid-May in Yecla, reflecting the town’s agricultural heritage, the local fiestas are celebrated in honour of San Isidro, the patron..

Caravaca and its neighbours Cehegín, Bullas, Calasparra and Bullas all offer a fascinating range of experiences to visitors The city of Caravaca de la Cruz is one of only 5 to have been awarded the status of “Holy Cities” by the Vatican and is..

Ulea and Abanilla are also added to the itinerary as places where fragments of the True Cross are venerated As preparations continue for the Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz in 2024 it has been announced that a new branch of the pilgrimage..

Icy cold springs, moonscapes, badlands and enchanted natural cities in the Costa Cálida! Far from being simply a stretch of coastline in the western Mediterranean, the Region of Murcia has a fantastically varied landscape, and the following selection..

Locations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida..

Half a dozen plans for a day away from the beach in the Costa Cálida! School’s almost out for summer, and thousands of families will be heading from all over Europe to the Costa Cálida for their annual dose of sun, sea and sand, but of course..

A green oasis of nature and wildlife in Calasparra in northern Murcia The tourist information point of Cañaverosa in the municipality of Calasparra is located at the entrance to the astonishing Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, alongside the..

Some of the most demanding ascents in southern Spain are to be found in the mountains of Murcia The Region of Murcia is something of a paradise for nature lovers who enjoy exploring on two wheels, with rides ranging from the flat crop fields of the..

Calasparra is one of only three areas in Spain with Denomination of Origin status for locally grown rice Despite rice being one of the commonest foods on the planet it is a relatively rare sight to see the product being cultivated in Europe, but in..

A small agricultural village in northern Lorca on the old inland route to Andalucía La Parroquia, also known as La Parroquia de la Fuensanta and La Tova, is a small village with around 500 residents in the western part of the “Tierras Altas”..

Wednesday is market day in Cehegín: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets..

Saturday is market day in Mula: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets, which..

Friday is market day in Calasparra: fresh fruit and veg and a range of other goods For many expats and visitors, one of the great joys of shopping in Spain is the opportunity to buy fresh products and bargain clothes in the weekly local markets..

The main square of the old quarter of Calasparra The Plaza de la Corredera is the most important square in the town of Calasparra and is centrally located in the heart of the old quarter. It has been re-modelled several times and today contains..

Part of the Moorish battlements can still be seen at the majestic hilltop fortress of Benizar The remains of the castle of Benizar, in the north-west of Moratalla close to the boundary with the region of Castilla-La Mancha, are perched magnificently..

The figure of the patron of Calasparra is brought from her rural sanctuary into the town Every 1st May the figure of the Virgen de la Esperanza is brought down from her sanctuary outside Calasparra to the town below, where she remains until the first..

The Order of Saint John the Hospitaller in the Region of Murcia 1244-1851 The Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén is a religious order of knights known in English as the Knights of the Order of Saint John the Hospitaller, which grew from a brotherhood..

Calasparra Fiestas and Traditions Calasparra has a number of local fiestas and festivals throughout the year, intertwining its rich history with the main local traditions which define the town, namely the agricultural links of Calasparra, rice growing..

Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, Calasparra One of the most beautiful sanctuaries in the Region of Murcia is that of the Virgen de la Esperanza in Calasparra. This little sanctuary is cut into the rock face of a sheer cliff overlooking..