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The “Plaza de Arriba” is without doubt one of the most important central points in the old quarter of Jumilla and has been so since the fifteenth century.
In spite of a number of modifications undertaken during the last 500 years, it still maintains the same basic elements as when it was first constructed, namely the former Palacio del Concejo which is now the municipal archaeological museum (the Museo Jerónimo Molina), the Iglesia Mayor de Santiago and the old posada, or grain store, now the home of the Universidad Popular.
In the sixteenth century the town of Jumilla experienced a period of significant expansion, spreading out from around the Iglesia de Santa María towards the south and east around the foot of the castle, enveloping this area and absorbing it into the urban base of the town.
At this point the area created in front of these buildings became known as the Plaza de San José and was re-named as the Plaza de Arriba (which literally means the plaza at the top) a century later in order to distinguish it from the “Plaza de Abajo" or plaza at the bottom (which is now the Plaza de la Constitución, or Jardín de las Ranas), when the urban growth of the town had reached new levels.
By this time the need to build a new and larger marketplace was pressing, and the new plaza was constructed lower down in the main urban area of the town, becoming the main social gathering place where not only the market but also bullfights were held. In 1754 there is documented evidence that new towers were built in the Plaza de Abajo in order to squeeze in more onlookers for the bullfights held there.
The name Plaza de Arriba has been maintained since, apart from during the years of dictatorship when the townspeople were instructed to refer to it as the “Plaza de los Mártires” (Plaza of the martyrs), an apparently fruitless exercise as the townsfolk inevitably continued to refer to it as they always had done.
The plaza remains a central focal point for social activity in the town, and is still the venue for many open-air concerts, cultural activities and fiestas.
It is, as its name suggests, high up in the town, and parking is very limited, so a walk uphill is often required to attend one of the many events held there or visit the museum.
For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and all of the bodegas on the Jumilla wine route, visit the home page of Jumilla Today.
