About Murcia... Cehegín, Caravaca de la cruz, Moratalla, Bullas, Mula, Cieza, Calasparra.
Let´s assume you´ve never heard of Murcia before. Where is it? Murcia is a region in the south east corner of Spain. What is it like? Well it´s jolly hot in the summer (40°+) and the winters are mild (11° average).
The landscape is unusual in that due to a geological quirk it varies between flat plain and mountain range over a relatively short distance. As a result many of the towns in the region are nestled on hilltops, with cultivated agricultural land in between.
Much of the region has been farmed for hundreds if not thousands of years, and there is a rich network of irrigation channels, or acequias bringing much needed water to the land. The countryside abounds with peach, apricot, apple, pear, pomegranate, olive, almond all of which are exported around the world.
Here in Calasparra, thanks to the water provided by the river Segura, rice is grown, widely acknowledged to be the best in the world for paella!
From
Calasparra we are within easy reach of the neighbouring towns in North West Murcia: Bullas, Caravaca de La Cruz, Moratalla & Cehegín. Each town has it's own special character and charm.
Moratalla is the most northerly town in the area and at 680m above sea level it is also the highest! As a result, visitors often notice the air is fresher than expected here when one gets out of the car. This sleepy village of 8500 inhabitants spread around the foot of an ancient fortress. Backed by pine clad mountains, the views of the unspoilt countryside are spectacular. Moratalla is located some distance away from the main C-415 motorway. As a result the town retains a tranquil nature from a bygone age, where every day feels like a Sunday.
Cehegín in contrast is probably the town with the highest British population in the region. When questioned, many put this down to the size & layout of the place. It´s not too big, not too small, everything is within easy reach & there are good facilities etc. The nature of the local people often gets a mention too, as they´re friendly, gregarious and generous to a fault. Each year in early September Cehegín hosts one of the biggest fiestas in the area with parades, a fair and over a hundred peñas, private tents erected especially for the fiesta where parties take place everynight until dawn.
Bullas is found 5Km west of Cehegín next to the Mula river. Bullas is traditionally a wine producing area and much of the towns attractions are wine related. There are many bodegas to visit (and wines to sample) as well as a wine making museum. On the first Sunday of each month, Bullas hosts one of the largest artisan markets in the area, where local fresh produce and handicrafts are sold.
Caravaca de La Cruz, with nearly 24,000 inhabitants is the largest and most cosmopolitan town in the region. Caravaca has a rich cultural and religious heritage and has many attractions that draw tourists from all over the world. The emblem of the city, the double armed cross is said to have appeared to an imprisoned priest in the 13th century. His Moorish captor's king had asked him to perform mass but as he began he realized he didn´t have the necessary crucifix. As his captors grew angry, the two armed cross was transported to the priest through an open window, borne by two angels. Seeing this, the king, King Abu Zeid converted to christianity.
From our other office in
Blanca we are near several more towns of interest,
Abarán,
Ricote,
Cieza, &
Ojos. Blanca itself is a small exceptionally pretty town, being nestled among beautiful pine clad mountains. Having both the river Segura, and a pitcuresque lake, the area is very popular with birdwatchers in search of the wide range of water fowl that are found here.
Nearby
Abarán 12,000 inhabitants is twice the size of Blanca but still retains the charm of an old agricultural Spanish town. Like Blanca, the town was origianlly settled on the banks of the river segura, the water of which irrigates the wide range of fruit and vegetables grown here today. Abarán is proud of it's rich artisan heritage, the crafts of which are still practiced in the town.
Ricote is a small town of only 1500 inhabitants. Situated in the fertile valley of the river segura, the town has thrived in the past through agriculture. Today tourists are finding it an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding countryside which is exceptional for it's walking and climbing.
Known as the Pearl of the Segura, Cieza is an important commercial & trading centre in the north of
Murcia. Cieza historically was the centre of Murcia's olive industry, but today it is perhaps better known as a world leader in peach production. The past commercial success of Cieza is reflected in some of it's fine architectural, parks, plazas and baronial residences.
Ojos is one of the smallest towns in the area with only six hundred residents. The area know for it´s fruit production, particularly citrus which is really grown this far inland due to the threat of winter frost. The altitude here though at just over one hundred metres seems to keep the worst of the winter weather at bay.
This then is Murcia, or at least our part of it. Words and photos cannot really do justice to the beauty of the place. The only way to really know what it is like here is to come and visit!
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