Regions of Spain: Murcia. Murcia guide: the best resorts and excursions in the region Beaches of Murcia Spain

Murcia (Spain) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Murcia with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Murcia

Murcia is a large city in the southeastern part of Spain and the administrative center of the region of the same name. Located on the banks of the Segura River, 25 km from the Mediterranean Sea. Murcia is a kind of compromise between a bustling metropolis and the province, a university city with a rich history, which is distinguished by calm and regularity.

Murcia and the entire region are famous throughout Spain for the excellent food and kindness of the local people, excellent sandy beaches and natural scenery. This is one of the largest agricultural provinces in the country, whose vegetables and fruits are exported to other European countries.

Geography and climate

Murcia is located in South-Eastern Spain on the banks of the Segura River. The average height above sea level is 43 meters. The climate is Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and wet.

Practical information

  1. Population - 442.6 thousand people (seventh largest city in Spain).
  2. Area - 881.9 square kilometers.
  3. Language - Spanish.
  4. Currency - euro.
  5. Visa - Schengen.
  6. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
  7. Most restaurants and cafes serve lunch from 13.00 to 15.30, and dinner from 20.30 to 23.00.
  8. Stores have opening hours from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 to 13.30 and from 16.30 to 20.30. Supermarkets are open without breaks from 10.00 to 22.00.

Best time to visit

Story

Murcia was founded in the first half of the 9th century by the Emir of Cordoba. In the 12th century it was a prosperous and large city, famous for its ceramics and silk.

By the mid-13th century, the city came under the protectorate of the Kingdom of Castile. After some time, the independent kingdom of Murcia arose, which at the end of the 13th century was captured by the king of the Aragonese kingdom, Jaime II. In 1304 the city finally became part of Castile.

Murcia lost its importance, but in the 18th century, thanks to the production of silk, it flourished again. In 1810, the city was sacked by Napoleon's troops. In 1829, Murcia was damaged by a powerful earthquake.


How to get there

Murcia has San Javier Airport with numerous domestic and international flights: Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Brussels, Dublin, London, Oslo, Edinburgh, etc. Alicante Airport is an hour's drive away. Murcia is also easily accessible by bus or train.

Shopping and purchases

Food and drink

Murcia is famous for its cuisine, tapas, wine, fresh fruit and vegetables. Traditional food:

  • Berenjenas a la crema - creamy eggplants with ham (seafood)
  • Caballitos - shrimp
  • Ensalada cantonal - salad with fish and olive oil
  • Ensalada murciana - salad with tomatoes, onions, eggs and tuna
  • Habas crudas con bonito - bean salad
  • Marinera - dish with anchovies
  • Michirones - spicy beans with bacon
  • Patatas con ajo - fried potatoes with garlic
  • Pipirrana - salad with tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and sardines
  • Pisto murciano - roasted peppers with eggplant and tomatoes
  • Pulpo - octopus
  • Tomate "partío" - olives, capers, anchovies
  • Tortillas - tortilla (beans, garlic)
  • Zarangollo - fried zucchini with onion and egg

High concentration of food establishments in the area of ​​the cathedral and university.

Attractions

The most interesting sights and places in Murcia.


Cardinal Beluga Square is one of the central squares of Murcia and is home to two of the city's most famous landmarks.

The architectural dominant is the cathedral with a high 91-meter bell tower. Murcia Cathedral is one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque. This is the main symbol of the city and one of the most impressive structures in the entire region. Construction of the cathedral began in the 14th century. In the 16th century, the main cathedral of Murcia received a baroque façade. The tower was rebuilt in the Renaissance architectural style around the same time.


The Bishop's Palace is an 18th-century building built on the site of the older Palacio Alcazar.

The casino is a monumental building built in the style of Andalusian palaces. It features a luxurious interior with frescoes.


Plaza de las Flores is a charming square in the center of Murcia. It got its name thanks to the numerous florist shops. A great stop to have a coffee and look at the Art Nouveau houses.

Floridablanca is a park on the opposite side of the Segura River. It is the city's oldest public park, open since the mid-19th century.


Santa Clara la Real

Santa Clara la Real is a museum built on the site of a Moorish fortress.


Monteagudo

Monteagudo is one of the symbols of the entire region, a castle near Murcia. This 9th-century fortress perches on a limestone cliff and is topped by a huge white statue of Christ. The castle was designed to withstand long sieges and was used by the Moors for defense for 250 years. After the conquest of Murcia by King Alfonso X, his residence was located here. A statue of Christ was added in the 1950s.


Not far from Murcia are the beaches of the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca. This is a great place for beach lovers.

The southern part of the Costa Blanca is home to cute little seaside towns. Torre de la Horadada offers stunning beaches and clear seas.

Your little neighbor. And in vain, because in Murcia, at every step you can see what travelers value so much - history and beauty.

Murcia is a land of orchards where lemons are especially popular: they are used everywhere, even in cakes made from lemon leaves. And Murcia itself is somewhat similar to lemon candy - sometimes it seems sweet and pleasant to the taste, sometimes it burns your mouth with acid. This is the history of the city itself - a change of sweet and sour, ups and downs.

  • The region of Murcia is called the “garden of Europe” – most of fruits and vegetables , such as citrus fruits, cherries, almonds, quinces and much more, are brought to the northern countries from here.
  • Murcia is called the “hot frying pan of Spain” not because it has 330 sunny days a year or because Spain’s temperature maximum was recorded here, but because the city is sandwiched among mountain peaks, which impedes air circulation.
  • The Segura River, unfortunately, is considered one of the most polluted in Europe.

City `s history

Archaeological excavations at the site of the modern city of Murcia show that life existed here as early as the Neolithic era. This land on the banks of the Segura River was then captured by the Romans. But the city's real history begins during the Caliphate, in 825, when it was officially founded by the Emir of Cordoba, Abd al-Rahman II.

Most historians translate the name “Murcia” as “Country of Myrtles” or “Country of Mulberries” (Latin: Murtae). The second version is that it is simply a village belonging to Murtius (Murtius is a common Roman name). Over time, the Latin pronunciation gave way to Arabic, and this is how Murcia turned out.

The Arabs laid out the city around the Segura River and provided it with a good irrigation system. In the 12th century, according to an Arab geographer, it was “a densely populated and well-fortified city.” The city was advanced in terms of technology: ceramics, silkworm and paper production flourished here, almost the first in Europe.

For several centuries, Murcia was a bone of contention between Muslims and Christians, until in 1304 it finally became part of the Castilian crown. The 18th century saw the peak of Murcia's economic prosperity thanks to silk production, but in the 19th century the city suffered a series of tragedies - plunder by Napoleon's troops, terrible earthquakes, floods, plague and cholera. But at the same time, the city was enriched with many artistic attractions.

Attractions


Every Saturday, the municipality of Murcia organizes a free tour of the sights of the Old Town. Registration for it is required, collection is in one of the buildings on Cardinal Beluga Square.

All tourist routes in Murcia begin with a visit to the Cathedral, which attracts not only for its antiquity - the main building was completed in 1394-1465, but also because it is an example of centuries-old eclecticism. For example, construction began in the Italian Gothic style, and the bell tower in the Renaissance style, then the project passed into the hands of masters working in the Baroque style, then Rococo and later Neoclassicism. The main façade of the cathedral, completed in the 18th century, is one of the masterpieces of the Spanish Baroque.

The height of the cathedral reaches 93 meters, there are 25 bells on the bell tower, and there is an observation deck at the top, which offers a beautiful view of the city. The cathedral is located on Cardinal Beluga Square, where, in addition to it, there are several other objects of tourist interest - the Bishop's Palace (XVIII century) and an architectural novelty, which, as usual, caused controversy at the beginning of its existence - an extension to the city hall, completed in 1998 according to the project architect Rafael Moneo.

Shopping and entertainment


Almost all the streets of the old city are of artistic interest. The main ones are Plateria and Traperia. The traperia leads from the cathedral to the former market square, where there is another striking representative of the city's architectural heritage and one of the most beautiful buildings in Murcia - the Casino, built in the 19th century.

Interestingly, the name of Plateria Street comes from the word plata, meaning silver, and this is where jewelry shops and workshops were located in the past. And Traperia is, essentially, Rag Street. And today this area remains a center for shopping - tourism, weddings, jewelry.


In 1862, Queen Isabel II visited the city to open the new Theater of the Infants. Today it is the Teatro Romea, named after the famous local actor Julián Romea. The theater is famous not only for its magnificent building, but also for its beautiful interior, and most importantly, for its magical acoustics, which turns every performance into a masterpiece.

Back in the 13th century, Alfonso X founded the Universitas Studiorum Murciana in the city. In its place, in the mid-19th century, the Free University opened its doors, which in turn became the basis of the University of Murcia, which opened in 1915, the third oldest in the country. The university has an Aquarium filled with the most interesting inhabitants of the seas and oceans from all over the world.

Murcia is famous for its clean sandy beaches, huge orchards, contrasting landscapes, interesting sights, and rich history. Spain can rightfully be proud of this wonderful resort, also called the country's largest greenhouse. Comfortable hotels here coexist with luxurious gardens and medieval ruins. Murcia is an autonomous region located in the southeast of the state between Valencia, Andalusia and

In the south of the province, mountains stretch to the sea all the way to Cape Palos, forming rocky shores. In the northern part you can find the Mar Menor lagoon with islets of volcanic origin - these are the most beautiful places that amaze all travelers to Murcia. Spain is a major supplier of fruits and vegetables in Europe. This autonomous region has the largest number in the country and many flowers are grown. And this despite the fact that it rains here only in the mountains, and even then rarely. Local residents solved this problem by installing stations for processing sea water into fresh water.

Thanks to surviving ancient sources, it is known that in 825 Murcia was founded by Arabs on the site of a Roman settlement. Spain receives positive reviews from visiting tourists due to its interesting historical history and Murcia has acquired a rich Arab heritage. The city reached its greatest prosperity in the 18th century, which is why so many architectural monuments have survived to this day. Small courtyards, winding narrow streets, ruins of fortress walls and the Castillo de Monteagudo fortress, built in the 11th century, remind us of the rule of the Arabs.

The Gothic-style cathedral is an iconic site in the city of Murcia. Spain is famous for many amazing architectural masterpieces, and this is one of them. The cathedral was built on the foundation of a Muslim mosque in the XIV-XVI centuries. The facade of the building is made in the Baroque style, and the 92-meter tower is in the spirit of the Renaissance. It is also worth visiting the city of Cartagena, which has an ancient history, convenient anchorage for ships and an amazingly beautiful bay. This trading port at different times was of great interest to Muslims, Romans, Byzantines, Visigoths, Castilians and just pirates. In Cartagena, the first submarine that sailed in the Mediterranean Sea is installed on a pedestal.

Tourists will remember Murcia for its sunny and warm weather, delightful sandy beaches. Spain is a resort country, so it has everything for a comfortable holiday. Many travelers like to relax on La Manga - a long sandy spit that separates the Mar Menor lagoon from the sea. Since the depth of the bay is less than 2 m, the water here is always warm, and even has a high concentration of iodine and salt. La Manga is ideal for treatment, family and active holidays.

The city of Murcia (Spain) is also very proud of Costa Calida. It is on this coast that the popular resort of La Manga del Mar Menor, as well as the Mar Menor, is located. Water sports enthusiasts flock to this place. Your holiday in Murcia will long be remembered for its sunny days and fun activities.

Murcia - capital of the autonomous region and province, 400 km southeast of and 150 km south of. About 340 thousand people live here. It is a beautiful city with a majestic cathedral, built on the site of a Moorish mosque, and several palaces.

Murcia weather:

Getting around Murcia:

Murcia is located inland from the Mediterranean coast, in the so-called Huerta - a fertile plain crossed by several rivers and irrigation canals. The city stands on the banks of the Segura River; the historical center is on the left, northern side.

The railway station is located on the southern bank of Segura, 1 km from the city center; bus - 20 min. walk from the historical center.

From the Old Bridge (Puente Viejo) begins Gran Via del Escultor Francisco Salzillo, the main street named after one of the most famous natives of Murcia, an 18th-century sculptor. Francisco Salcillo (there is his museum in the western part of the city). To the east of Gran Via is the University, and closer to the river are the old city quarters, the streets of which are oriented towards the main city attraction - the cathedral. Murcia retains its 18th-century appearance and is worth a visit for those who appreciate sculpture and Baroque architecture. You can see the main attractions in half a day.

Tourist offices of Murcia:

  • City Tourist Office
    • Plaza del Cardenal Belluga,
      968 35 87 49, Sun 10.00-14.00, May-Oct. Mon-Sat 10.00-14.00, 16.00-20.00, June-Sept. Mon-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-21.30.
  • Regional Tourist Office
    • Plaza Romea, 4, 902 10 10 70, Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00, 17.00-19.00, Sat 10.30-13.00, closed Sun.

How to get to Murcia:

Railway station

  • Alameda de Colon.
  • (5 times a day, 4 hours 45 minutes, 33.65 €) via Albacete (1 hour 45 minutes, 19.65 €);
  • (1 hour 45 minutes, 3.50 €) ;
  • Lorca (once per hour, 3.65 €).

Murcia Bus Station:

  • Calle de la Sierra de la Pila.
  • (up to 10 times a day, 5 hours, 20.65 €),
  • (2.80 €) ,
  • (1 hour, 3.75 €),
  • Barcelona (5 times a day, 8 hours 45 minutes, 37 €),
  • Valencia (7 times a day, 4 hours 45 minutes, 11.90€),
  • , Lorca (once per hour, 4.10 €) ,
  • Almeria (4-6 times a day, 2 hours 45 minutes, 13.75 €),
  • Malaga (5 times a day, 6 hours 15 minutes, 25.25 €).

50 km from Murcia is San Javier Airport, from which a bus runs twice a day.

Tourist route in Murcia:

Sights of Murcia:

Central square of the city, Glorieta de España(Glorieta de Esparia), turned into a public garden, is located on the embankment of the Segura River, near the exit from the Old Bridge; administrative buildings of the city are located here municipality(Ayuntamiento,1848) and archbishop's palace(Palacio Archibichop, Baroque).

Murcia Cathedral:

Behind them, on the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga, is the main treasure of Murcia - Cathedral of Santa Maria(Catedral de Santa Maria, summer 10.00-13.00, 18.00-20.00, winter 10.00-13.00, 17.00-19.00). It began to be built on the site of an ancient mosque in 1358 in the Gothic style, but in the 16th century. the building was rebuilt.

In the second half of the 18th century, after a great flood, the Murcia Cathedral acquired its modern appearance, combining Gothic interiors, Baroque exteriors and stone carvings from the Renaissance. The central facade of the cathedral, created in 1739-1754. according to the project of the architect. X. Borta, considered one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque. Since the cathedral is dedicated to the Mother of God, the plot depicted on the main western facade is connected with her: the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.

The other two portals of the cathedral date back to an earlier time: the southern portal of the Apostles(Portada del Apostols, 1463) is decorated with Gothic sculpture (1463), and the northern Portal of Chains(Portada de las Cadenas, 1515) - a Renaissance stone ornament symbolically depicting chains. The temple has a small museum where religious objects and religious paintings are kept, Chapel Hunteron(Capilla de Junteron), decorated with stone carvings in the Plateresque style and Veles Chapel(Capilla de los Velez, XV), the tomb of the Marquises of Velez, where rich carvings and a Gothic ribbed vault have also been preserved.

It is worth climbing the 92-meter bell tower with an observation deck.

Casino of Murcia:

From the cathedral along the pedestrian Calle Traperia (Traperia Street), which was the main street of medieval Murcia, you can go to casino Casino (Calle Traperia, 18, 9.00-21.00) - the first men's club, opened in 1847 and operating today. Construction of the club building was completed in 1901; this building is an excellent example of eclecticism, a combination of the incongruous: the facade is made in the Art Nouveau style, the lobby and the courtyard are an imitation of Arab architecture, the famous Granada Alhambra, and the club library was supposed to evoke associations with London clubs of the Victorian era.

Continuing along Calle Traperia, you will find yourself at the Plaza de Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Square), where the Renaissance façade has been preserved churches of Santo Domingo(Iglesia de Santo Domingo), destroyed during anti-church riots and the civil war of the 1930s. There is an arch from the church to Almodóvar Palace(Palacio Almodovar, XVIII), the entrance to which is decorated with figures of Atlanteans.

Adjacent to Plaza de Santo Domingo is Plaza Romea, whose name is associated with the famous Spanish actor of the 19th century. Julio Romea and named after him TeatroRomea standing in the square.

New neighborhoods of Murcia:

If, after visiting the historical part of Murcia, you cross La Gran Via (JIa-Gran Via), you can take a walk through the gardens located in the new quarters (Jardin El Salitre, Jardin San Sebastian; Jardin de Malecon, which preserved Almudi Palace(Palacio Almudi, XVII) and visit several museums, including Museum of the History of Murcia(Museo de la Ciudad, Plaza de Agustinas, 5-7, Sept.-June Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-20.00, Sun 11.00-14.00, Mon closed, July-Aug. Mon-Fri 10.00-14.00, 17.00 -20.00, Sat, Sun closed and Francisco Salcillo Museum, where religious sculpture is exhibited.

If you come by car, we recommend finishing the day with a tour Huerta Folklore Museum(Museo de Tradiciones de Huerta, Cora de Andalucia, Tue-Sun 10.30-18.00, Mon closed, 7 km west of Murcia), dedicated to the peasant life of Murcia and the surrounding areas.

Museums of Murcia

Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueologico)

  • Gran Via de Alfonso X El Sabio, 9.

Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes)

  • Calle Obispos Frutes, 2, Mon-Fri 9.00-14.00, 17.00-19.00, Sat 10.00-14.00, closed Sun.
  • Plaza de San Agust in, 1-3 (Iglesia de Jesus), Tue-Sat 9.30-13.00, 16.00-19.00, Sun 11.00-13.00, Mon closed, July-Aug. Sat and Sun closed

Museum of matador artist Ramon Gaya (Museo Gaya)

  • Plaza Santa Catalina,
  • Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-20.00, Sun 11.00-14.00, closed Mon.

Museum of Ancient Mills and Hydraulics (Museo Gidraulicolic)

  • Plaza de Camachos.

Major events in the history of Murcia

  • 852. The Caliph of Cordoba, Abd ar Rahman II, founded the settlement of Medina Murcia on the site of a small Roman colony.
  • 1266. Murcia was liberated from Moorish rule by Alfonso X.
  • XVIII. Murcia is becoming an important center for textile production and agriculture.
  • 1706. Archduke Charles's forces captured Murcia during the War of the Spanish Succession; In the fight against him, the Murcians opened a dam and flooded the Austrian camp.
  • 1810s. After the invasion of Napoleonic troops, the plague and cholera epidemic, life in Murcia came to a standstill, many residents left the city.
  • 1936. During the battles between the Francoists and the Republicans, many church buildings in Murcia were destroyed.

In the vicinity of Murcia:

  • Torrevieja