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RELIGIOUS
AND CULTURAL

MURCIA

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www.turismodemurcia.es
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Murcia is a melting pot of artistic styles with examples of
incalculable value. It was founded in 831 by the Emir of
Cordoba, Abderramán II, in a privileged enclave in the
middle of the River Segura valley. The importance of the
Arab period features in the surrounding walls, 15 metres
in height and with 95 towers. Some of the remains are
still visible in different parts within the city and can be
viewed in the Visitors Centre of the Wall in Santa
Eulalia Plaza. An important place that highlights the
numerous archaeological palatial-type remains of the
Monastery of Santa Clara la Real is the Museum of
Santa Clara.
Step into the old town full of narrow streets with guild
names like the shopping area of Platería (Silver-maker),
Trapería (Rag-seller) and Jabonerías (Soap-maker),
witnesses to the daily commotion in the Region's capital.

From the seventeenth century, and especially in the
eighteenth, Murcia achieved a splendour that expanded
beyond its walls. At this time, numerous churches
were built, mostly Baroque. Temples including la
Merced, San Miguel, Santa Ana, the Monastery of Santa
Clara el Real, Santo Domingo, Santa Eulalia and San Juan
de Dios unite an important pictorial and sculptural
heritage with architectural art, the carved works of
Francisco Salzillo being a particular highlight.

CHATEDRAL OF
SANTA MARÍA
The main monument of Murcia is its Cathedral, stirs wonderment in both tourists and pilgrims.
whose construction began in the late fourteenth Amongst the city's sacred art, do not miss the
century. It features an eclectic collection of various Salzillo Museum. Be moved by the realism of the
artistic styles that are not overshadowed by its great figures and steps of the great Murciano sculptor
majesty. Gothic elements, such as the Gate of the Francisco Salzillo, which are paraded upon in the
Apostles and the Chapel of Los Vélez, coexist with Good Friday morning procession. Behold his famous
both Renaissance features, including the Junterón Bethlehem, from which one of the most deeply
Chapel, and Baroque details that are featured in its rooted craft traditions in the Region of Murcia was
spectacular "imafronte", conceived as a gigantic born.
altarpiece by Jaime Bort, combining wisdom with There are other magnificent examples of Baroque
sculpture and architecture. The tower stands 92 architecture in the Sanctuary of la Fuensanta and
metres tall, built in various stages between the in the Monastery of los Jerónimos, also known as
sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Next to the "El Escorial Murciano".
Cathedral, the eighteenth century Episcopal Palace