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Abderraman II founded the
city of Murcia in 825. In the 19th century it was an emerging place and Capital
City, with an important court of artists and scientists. The remains of
buildings, the city’s defensive wall and the irrigation system in the Huerta
have all been conserved form Moorish times. Murcia was the capital of the
kingdom and the current structure of the city and the layout of the streets are
the result of her Moorish heritage. From the second half of the 13th century the
city enjoyed a time of great splendour. The King Alfonso X the Wise, who spent
long periods of time in Murcia, established the socio- economic bases of the
municipally. The city was given a number of privileges by the monarch to
encourage commerce and harmony amongst the different cultures and religions
living together. It was in the 18th century that the city became truly splendid
and it is known as the Murcian Golden Age. During this time, great urban and
administrative changes took place encouraged by great Murcian close to the court
and holding responsible positions, for example, Cardenal Belluga or the Count of
Floridabalnca.
In the last decades of the 20th century, the city, with its solid political and
socio- economic base, saw a spectacular growth and renovation of its streets.
With such a history this city
has many interesting historical buildings to visit:
The Cathedral: It dates from 14th to 18th centuries. A brilliant summing-
up of the styles of more than five centuries, this wonderful architectural gem
boats four outstanding elements: the altarpiece- like Baroque façade of the
“Puerta del Perdón”, the Gothic chapel of the Velez family, the Renaissance
“Junterones” chapel and the symbol of our city: the ninety- six metre tower with
is twenty- five bells, an unusual piling- up of styles whose majestic beauty can
be seen high above the city from miles around.
The Church of “Nuestro Padre Jesus: 17th century. Built by Francisco
Montiyuelo and Blas Lopez on the site of an earlier chapel it belongs to the
religious fraternity of the same name, founded in 1600. The façade was
completely remodelled in the 18th century. Restored in the twentieth century, in
1960 it became a museum of the works of Francisco Salzillo, displaying a
fundamental part of the huge body of creative work by our brilliant local wood-
carver (1707-1781). The main feature is the set of eight processional floats
belonging to the fraternity and the 556 figures of the world- famous Christmas
Crib.
The Casino:
1847. In 1902 Pedro Cerdán carried
out the building of the present fancifully- styled façade giving onto the Calle
Trapería, a centuries old social life in the city, containing a lovely library,
the hidden secrets of the Ladie´s Powder Room, a magnificent Moorish patio
designed by Manuel Castaños and a splendid Neobaroque Ballroom, all well- worth
a visit.
Other places to visit:
The Bishop´s Palace
The Convent church of Santa Ana
The Malecon Walk
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