Murcia is a large city at the heart of the Segura river valley, and according to the nineteenth century writer Augustus Hare would "From the stagnation of it's long existence would be the only place Adam would recognise if he returned to the Earth".

Founded by the Moors in the ninth century, and on the banks of the River Segura, Murcia became an important trading centre. Today it is the commercial area of the region and still retains its old charm.

Murcia's grand cathedral, which began in 1394 has a variety of styles with strong gothic influences. There a re few tourists, and nestled in the Mountains, this city has unspoilt air and tranquillity - which is unusual for a modern city.

 

Lorca sits in the south-west of the region of Murcia and is a town of a variety of contrasts. The town blends it's historical heritage with modern life. Lorca is also an important commercial centre and to this end has a well designed network of roads, rail and communications. Lorca is probably the most important tourist centre in the region. It has mountains to a height of 1.500m in the north-west and an 8km coastline in the coastal area. The surrounding area is covered with vineyards.   Lorca has a wealth of historical buildings including churches, Roman villas, palaces, monuments and works of art. However, the city is dominated by the hilltop castle. Lorca is a friendly and hospitable town that offers recreation, shopping and a unique gastronomy. Lorca also has a wealth of fiestas to be enjoyed by the visitor and local alike.

 

Calasparra is known as the "Paradise of the Region" and is famous for its locally grown rice which is shipped all across Spain. It is very much a traditional Spanish town located around 40kms north west of Murcia.

 

It is surrounded by mountains and is an ideal base for a holiday and even if you want to take up permanent residence as it has good links to the other resorts in the area such as Murcia, Cartagena and Alicante, with its international airport with flights connections all over Europe, make this area easily accessible.

One of the most stunning buildings in Calasparra is the church, Sanctuary de la Virgin de la Esperanza which is built into the mountainside and is a very popular tourist attraction.

Set in the mountains alongside the Rio Segura  and with excellent road access, this town has it all. Calasparra has much to offer for holidaymakers and those who are wishing to take up permanent residence.

The locally grown rice (Arroz) is shipped around Spain, and has a reputation for its fine qualities. The Sanctuary de la Virgin de la Esperanza is a famous tourist attraction. This church is built into the mountainside and stone from the excavation has been used to make its external features. This serenely beautiful setting sits alongside the riverbanks which has seating and BBQ areas.

For the more adventurous there is river rafting which includes some white water, there is mountaineering, mountain walks, excellent fishing and hunting. A few kilometres outside of town there are numerous caves with cave drawings, stalactites and stalagmites with beautiful underground caverns which must be explored to fully appreciate them.
For the historian, this areas is steeped in history, with the remnants of old Moorish settlements, some of which have been reconstructed to shoe how the people of the time lived.

 

The market which is held in the town centre on Friday is a must visit. Locally grown fruit and vegetables as well as leather, household goods and clothes are available.

The new development of Cañada Verde is reasonably priced and built to the highest specification.

If you want to live in the real Spain, where there is an abundance of fruit, olive and almond trees, superb country houses with spectacular mountain views, fine new developments - then Calasparra is the ideal place.

For the more adventurous there is river rafting, which includes some white water, there is mountaineering, mountain walks, excellent  fishing and hunting. Caves with cave drawings can be found locally with stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful underground caverns.

 

Schooling is easily found in Calasparra - the primary school is located in Calasparra and Valentin (a small village a few kilometres away), with the senior schools in  Calasparra town itself. All schools include English as part of the curriculum. 

 

 Many Europeans are now looking to move to Calasparra due to its  fine reputation and relaxed way of life, and as it is situated away  from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist resorts, a lot of the  traditional Spanish charm remains. If you worried about being away from it all - no need. There are Spanish classes available in town, a 24 hour medical centre, hospital located in Caravaca (14 kms away), dentists, opticians, various shops and supermarkets as well.

Caravaca

 

Campos del Rio

Cehegin is located in the northwest of the Murcia region 592m above sea level. With a population of around 14,000, it’s landscape boasts mountains, valleys, reservoirs, forests, various flora and fauna as well as orchards of soft fruits, olives and lemons.

The municipality, which was once the epicentre of southern Spain, dates back to prehistoric times. The site of Begastri, where you can discover how the first inhabitants lived, can still be visited today. Here you will see cave paintings and remains of the settlement.

But what mainly characterizes Cehegin now is the compact old town. Family houses and humble medieval dwellings combine to make a place of history and calm.

Its traditionally agricultural economy is now supplemented by natural stone extraction and the emergence of rural tourism.
 

The main quality of Cehegin is its old town, built on a mountain. The town is made up of a mix of old medieval houses, churches and glorious architecture providing an enchanting quality as you stroll around the quiet & narrow streets.

Cehegin is very well served by the main Spanish supermarket chains having recently opened a new Mercadona Supermercado as well as having an established Navarette supermarket on the high street (Gran Via). There are countless convenience or “corner shops” dotted around town as well as Spanish equivalents of many of the shops and services that you are used to in the UK. An English hairdressing and nail salon has recently opened by the Mercadona.
 

The town has a health centre and there is a hospital 8km away in Caravaca De La Cruz. There is an indoor swimming pool and sports centre as well as an outdoor summer pool with bar and picnic area. The many bars, tapas bars and restaurants offer an incredible choice of watering holes and places to snack or satisfy the hungriest appetites in typical Spanish surrounding almost 24 hours a day.

The main industry of Cehegin in the past was shoemaking and avid shoe purchasers of the present will not be disappointed by the number of shoe shops currently in the town as well as bags, jewellery, clothes, furniture and a plethora of objets d’art not only of Spanish origin but from many countries on this continent and Africa.

For those of you that like the countryside and scenery you will find all of this and more in the area: valleys, mountains, reservoirs, forests and wildlife. 

 

 

Moratalla

Mula
The originally arid lands around Mula have been turned into zones of lush vegetation by irrigation from the Mula River. The town itself, with a population of 13000, has a well-preserved old city centre, with alleyways and narrow streets, which wind their way round the old houses. A historically important castle, the “Marques de los Velez”, overlooks the town. Mula is an important producer of textiles and pottery, as well as other crafts. On the second Sunday of each month, a market is held where these local crafts can be purchased. Nearby are the thermal waters of the Banos de Mula. There is also the Cigarralejo, an Iberian art museum, in the town.

Jumilla

JUMILLA, a town of eastern Spain, in the province of Murcia, 40 m. N. by W. of Murcia by road, on the right bank of the Arroyo del Jua, a left-bank tributary of the Segura. Pop. (1900), 16,446. Jumilla occupies part of a narrow valley, enclosed by mountains. An ancient citadel, several churches, a Franciscan convent, and a hospital are the principal buildings. The church of Santiago is noteworthy for its fine paintings and frescoes, some of which have been attributed, though on doubtful authority, to Peter Paul Rubens and other illustrious artists. The local trade is chiefly in coarse cloth, esparto fabrics, wine and farm produce.

Jumilla is located in the province of Murcia. The town has over 26,000 inhabitants and has some stunning views across the valleys.

 

The possibilities offered by this region are plentiful. One has the option of visiting the archaeological sites from the Bronze and Middle Ages, and Roman times, as well as an interesting collection of Iberian artefacts.

 

The famous Jumilla castle goes back to the Bronze age and each subsequent civilization has added to it.

 

In the iron age a great fortified town was established. Later the Roman legions arrived and added fortifications to the hill, constructing part of the wall that is conserved nowadays.

 

In April of 713AD Arab troops invaded the territories of Jumilla in their attempt to occupy the Iberian peninsula and begin the construction of a stronghold on the old Roman ruins. These occupiers stayed in Jumilla for five centuries, until in 1241 it was conquered by the troops of San Fernando and was joined for the first time to the crown of Castle.