2. PLACES TO VISIT
WHILE YOUR IN MURCIA WHY NOT VISIT
>Murcia Cathedral: The cathedral proudly
presides the Cardenal Belluga Square. It is a
masterpeice from the Spanish Barroque period.
> Hotel Sol Galúa
Hacienda dos Mares, La Manga.
> Alhama de Murcia, near to the Espuña
mountain range, the castle is DEFINITELY worth
a look.
3. FACTS
> It became an autonomous region in
1982.
> They have a permit to the growing
of large crops of citrus and other
fruits, vegetables, almonds, olives,
grains, and grapes.
> Population: 442,203 (2011)
4. festivals
> JANUARY
The season kicks off with La Fiesta de las Cuadrillas on the last
weekend of January in Barranda. This very Spanish of celebrations is
set in the city centre and shows off the culture of the Murcia region,
with a special highlight on the local folklore music.
> FEBRUARY
With the start of February comes the carnival season with parades,
costume contests and dance performances held throughout the
areas of Mar Menor, Cartagena and Cabezo de Torres, festivities
that are steeped in over 200 years of tradition. The town of Aguilas
is said to have the wildest carnival in the country which is on the
week before Lent, which falls towards the end of the month.
> AUGUST
During August (from the 2nd to the 11th) the Festival del Cante de las
Minas gets underway in La Unión and comprises a competition where
aspiring flamenco dancers and singers battle it out in the Public
Market to win the coveted trophy. This has been declared a festival
of International Tourist Interest.
5. food
> “Caldero” is a meal of rice, fish (grey mullet,
monkfish, grouper), cooked in an iron pot, with
ball peppers and garlic mayonnaise.
> “huerta”, a varied offer of meats and the
prized treasures of the sea.
> “Gazpacho de Yecla”, pickled partridge, or
rabbit and rice.
> “Zarangollo” is a Murcian dish combining the
concepts of ratatouille and omelette. It is
made from tomatoes, courgettes, onions and
eggs.
6. SPORTS & sportsteams
> Football (real murcia)
> Basketball (LIGA ACB)
> RACING (HISPANIA RACING F1
TEAM)
