Murcia Places of Interest

It shows a mixture of architectural styles: the first two bodies are in the Renaissance style (1521–1546); the third body is Baroque style; the bell tower and dome are rococo and neoclassical influences.

The interior is mainly Gothic and emphasizes the chapel of the Velez Chapel Junterones. There is flamboyant Gothic style, with an impressive 10-pointed star dome and another that is one of the great works of the Spanish Renaissance.

The chapel of the Velez stands outside the cathedral and has a chain around it and a carving of a famous legend. On the altar are the heart and the entrails of Alfonso X the Wise, as stated in his will as proof of his love and the fidelity that Murcia has shown.

Adjacent to the Traperia is the Teatro Romea that bears his name. Of the many squares, two hold special charm: the Flowers, which is the oldest patisserie in the city, and Santa Catalina.

Around the town are Baroque churches built on the ancient mosques. Of note is the Monastery of Santa Clara la Real, which was built between the 13th and 18th centuries, where archaeologist found remnants of al-Qasr al-Sagir, an Arabic palace; pool, the beds, and some furniture were recovered.

The most emblematic building in Murcia is its cathedral, which belongs to the diocese of Cartagena, which is in the old town, at the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. The construction of the cathedral began over the old mosque aljama in the 13th century and was consecrated in 1465, although its works were extended to the late 18th century, when they built their famous home. For this reason the cathedral has different architectural styles, particularly Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.

Its ornate facade (1736–1754), designed as an outdoor altar, is often considered a masterpiece of Baroque Spanish Levante. It also stressed its high bell tower of almost 100 m high and has 27 bells (they announce the terrible floods of the Segura River).

It is still possible to see the old medieval urban vintage Andalusi, formerly of dividing religions and now converted into beautiful pedestrian streets, such as the Silver and the famous Traperia, which connects the Plaza de la Cruz (just behind the cathedral) with the famous Plaza de Santo Domingo, one of the most popular meeting points for Murcia.

During the trip can be seen the beautiful facade of the eclectic Casino (1847), with a sumptuous interior that combines different styles, from an Arabic courtyard inspired by the real halls of the Alhambra and the Reales Alcazares of Seville to a Roman Pompeian courtyard, which holds a wonderful English library with over 20,000 volumes and a beautiful neo-Baroque ballroom, among other areas.

Rest of the City

Several different styles of bridges cross the Segura River: the Old Bridge from the 18th century, with a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the dangers and, therefore, known as the Bridge Hazards; the modern Calatrava and Manterola bridges; and the New Bridge, a metal bridge erected during the late 19th century.

Other elements of the city are:

Almudi the Palace, a former mill, now an exhibition hall;

Palacio de San Esteban, the seat of regional government;

Garden of Floridablanca, the first public garden of Spain;

The Silk Garden;

The old Artillery Barracks;

The Walk of Malecon, near the river;

Square Circular;

The bullring, La Condomina.

Old Town

Along the facade of the cathedral, in the same plaza Belluga, are the College of Dramatic Arts and Dance and the Bishop's Palace of the 18th century. It is said that the location of this palace was stated in Bishop Matthew’s will, who wanted a residence that could include the recently completed facade of the cathedral. The palace is divided into two parts: the hammer (it is the viewpoint of the bishop) and the Paseo del Arenal.

A few meters from the cathedral, beside the Segura River, is the square known as the Roundabout, which has traditionally been the center of town. Built in the 18th century, there is a square garden and city hall.

Rest of the Municipality

In the rest of the town are the Jeronimos Monastery and the sanctuary of Fuensanta, which is dedicated to the Virgin of Fuensanta, patron saint of the city. Along the sanctuary the viewpoint provides an overview that covers the entire city.

The sanctuary is within the regional park, Carrascoy Valley. This park, located less than 5 km from the town, has a maximum elevation of 523 m. In The Valley people may go hiking and climbing and make several visits to its starting point, the Visitor Center of Light.

You can explore the flora and fauna of the place and some of the monasteries, archaeological sites, and visited Iberian periods at present. In the northern part of the city, in the parish of Monteagudo, are the remains of so-called Castillejo (Ibn Mardanis palace) and the castle from the Andalusi season, capped by a large statue of Christ. There is an underground tunnel linking this to the cathedral.