Murcia Area
The Region of Murcia is outgoing by nature, with strong Mediterranean roots. The people have always prided themselves on their use of social gatherings as the ideal way of giving thanks for the marvellous climate and the generous fertility of the land, which gives shelter and hospitality to both inhabitants and strangers.
Throughout the year it is possible to attend a plethora of events in the Region in which passion alternates with colour, joy with restraint, vitality with History and fervour with popular exaltation. From January to December festivals move between pageantry and participation: from Carnival to Easter Week, from the Spring Festival -culminating in the spectacular Burial of the Sardine- to the Romans and Carthaginians pageants, from the Moors and Christians and the smell of gunpowder and blunderbusses to the Wine Horses, from the festival of the Grape Harvest to the Immaculate Conception and Christmas Eve, from the masterly Epiphany mystery play to the May Crosses, from the marine processions in honour of Our Lady of Carmen to the Romerías (local pilgrimages) inland, from the ever colourful Huerta (Farming) Festival to the profound, heart-rending flamenco-style Mine Song Festival.
Blue Flag Beaches
Pinar de Campoverde has some of the cleanest and best blue flag beaches on the Costa Blanca. Head down the coastal road for about 10minutes from the Villa and you will find beautiful golden beaches and the crystal clear blue Med, stretching from EI Mojon to Mil Palmera. Sunshine
You can enjoy an average temp of 20c with over 300 days of sunshine per year.
The Mar Menor is also just a 10min drive away. Located at the nearby coast of San Pedro the salt lakes are home to flamingos and other exotic birds all year round. (For the twitchers among you). Tore de la Horadada also has a beautiful Marina. In general you will find most water sport activities in the area.
Murcia's Weather
Murcia's climate has been described by the World Health Organisation as being one of the best in the world. Murcia's summers are hot but not too hot due to the cooling breezes and the winters in Murcia are mild with many clear blue sunny days.
 The city of Murcia was founded in 831 by Abd-Al-Rahman II on a privileged location, in the centre of the Valley of the River Segura.
The city wall offers a good idea of the importance achieved by the city under Arab rule, and the remains of part of the wall are still visible in different places around the city; the wall originally measured 15 metres in height and had 95 towers.
The importance of the city has also been evidenced by the numerous archaeological findings, such as the remains of a palace unearthed at the Las Claras Convent. The Christian city has also left a profound mark on Murcia¿s urban physiognomy; two of its main arteries, La Platería and La Trapería, still reveal the intense guild activity that developed in the metropolis. However it was from the 16th century, and particularly the 18th century, onwards that Murcia achieved an urban splendour that lead to its expansion beyond the city walls.
It was during that period that the numerous churches - mainly baroque in style - that mark the entire urban landscape were built. These churches include La Merced, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Las Claras, Santo Domingo, Santa Eulalia and San Juan de Dios, which combine their artistic and architectural designs with an important pictorial and sculptural heritage, containing numerous important works, including most notably those produced by Francisco Salzillo. The most important religious building in Murcia is its Cathedral, construction of which began at the end of the 14th Century; this building contains gothic elements, such as La Puerta de los Apóstoles, and La Capilla de los Vélez; renaissance architecture, showcased by the Junterón Chapel; and baroque architecture, including most notably its façade, conceived as a gigantic altarpiece by Jaime Bort, with its clever conjugation of sculpture and architecture. Also noteworthy is its tower, measuring 92 metres in height and built in different stages between the 16th and 18th centuries.
The Cathedral is flanked by other eighteenth century buildings - the Episcopal Palace and the old Granary, known as El Almudí, both good examples of the construction boom that took place during the abovementioned period. The streets and squares of Murcia also offer magnificent examples of 19th century architecture, such as the Town Hall, the Victoria Hotel, the Romea Theatre and particularly the Casino, built in 1847 and extended after 1902, and which contains decorations of great interest, such as its dance hall, the neo-nazarí (13th - 15th century Muslim dynasty in Granada) patio or the library, as well as its façade decorated by magnificent sculptures. All this artistic and historic wealth is on display at the city¿s museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Fine Arts Museum or the Salzillo Museum, where visitors can enjoy the procession images created by this skilled Murcian maker of images for the procession of the morning of Good Friday, as well as his famous Nativity Scene, which marks the start of one of the oldest traditions in Murcia. The Hydraulic Museum offers another clear example, just like the bridges that cross the river and particularly the Old Bridge, of the close relationship that exists between Murcia and the River Segura.
Murcian art is not limited to the city boundaries. Magnificent examples of baroque architecture can be found at the La Fuensanta Chapel or the Monastery of San Jerónimo, which is known as El Escorial Murciano, The Escorial of Murcia.
However, Murcia, rather than remain anchored in its past, has developed into a modern city, equipped with all the necessary facilities and infrastructures, an extensive university complex and an Auditorium and Congress Centre, which, in combination with its hotel facilities, make it the ideal place for holding meetings and events of all types.
Links of Interest
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