Date:
26 March 2010
There are many wonderful places for you to explore when it comes to visiting Spain. One region that is certainly worth considering spending time in is Murcia. Along with the regions capital also called Murcia there are plenty of other places to explore. However, in this article we are spending time taking a look at what the Murcia Regions capital has to offer to visitors.
The city itself is situated on the banks of the Segura River and is to the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It was found by the Moors in 825CE and was originally called Madinat Mursiya. But it has somewhat changed from being a trading town to a university one today.
When you arrive in Murcia you will be amazed at the various types of architect including several wonderful baroque buildings. However, it is the Cathedral of this city which many people find fascinating to look at. The construction of the first parts of this building in the Castilian Gothic style began in 1394 and was completed in 1465. But since that time additions have been made to this wonderful building. Between 1521 and 1546 a further two floors were added to the structure but this time in the Renaissance style and following this another floor was added but in the Baroque style.
As for the tower on this building this was not completed until 1792 and is a blend of the various architectural styles used elsewhere within the buildings construction. For example the Bell Pavilion shows both influences from Rococo and Neoclassical designs. Yet it is the building’s main facade completed between 1736 and 1754 that many enjoy and considered to be one of Spain’s masterpieces when it comes to Baroque architectural style.
If at all concerned about wandering the city when the weather isn’t so good then don’t be. Spend time on these days exploring the city’s old town as most of the pedestrian areas within are covered. As you do wander through this part of the city make sure that you arrange to spend time visiting the Casino a social club constructed in 1847 in the market square known as Traperia. Within it you will find a luxurious interior including a patio in the Moorish style. As you look at this you will find that there are many similarities between it and the Royal Chambers in the Alhambra Palace in Grenada as it is believed the designer of this building was believed to have been inspired by it.
If you do intend to visit Murcia then make sure that you try to do so when the Holy Week Procession takes place. This is one of the most famous of all the processions that take place at this time of the year throughout Spain. At night the life size statues created by Francisco Salzillo are taken from the museums where they normally reside and carried around the streets of the city. As they are carried around amid candles and flowers there are certain stations at which the processions pause and these are to depict the final moments of the life of Jesus before his crucifixion.
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