Murcia city

Murcia, Spain's seventh largest city with around 450,000 inhabitants, is the bustling capital of the autonomous region of Murcia. Although Murcia has few real top attractions, it is a city where it is pleasant to be.

It is neither a metropolis like Valencia nor a tourist city like Alicante. It is a city where people live and where you can pleasantly stroll and shop. The presence of a university in the centre of the city brings with it a lot of liveliness and the cathedral is perhaps one of the most beautiful in Spain.

Make time to experience and discover Murcia's authenticity, conviviality and hidden gems.

A walk through the city

The old town on the left bank of the Segura still recalls Moorish rule.

Kathedraal

A perfect starting point for a visit is the Calle de la Trapería in which you will find the Casino, a nineteenth-century gem (with absolutely obligatory visits to the dance hall, the library, and, if possible, the boudoir). The Trapería is crossed by the Platería, one of the city's other historic streets.

The Trapería opens onto the Cathedral built over a former mosque, whose foundation stone was laid in 1394 by Bishop Fernando de Pedrosa, although the temple would not be completed until the 18th century.

This cathedral has a grandiose baroque façade made of limestone and marble overlooking the Plaza de Belluga (a nice place to have a drink), beautiful chapels, such as the Capilla de los Vélez (15th century) or that of Junterones (16th century), and Spain's tallest cathedral tower (92 metres), which can be climbed along 18 ramps and 200 steps to enjoy a magnificent view of the city and its surroundings.

Plaza Santo Domingo

From the Plaza de Santo Domingo, one arrives, through Calle de la Merced, at the University, a 16th-century monastery with a wonderful two-storey claustrum of marble columns.

Teatro Romea

Behind the old gate of Santo Domingo one discovers the Plaza de Julián Romea with, in that square, the recently restored, isabelline-style Romea theatre (1862) , surrounded by numerous tribal cafes, a true paradise on sunny mornings.

On the other side of the magnificent new Gran Via, the city's main street and shopping centre, visitors encounter the Renaissance Palacio de San Esteban, seat of the regional government, with the church named after the same saint. A few metres further on, the Iglesia de San Miguel houses a valuable baroque retable.

Wandering through narrow streets, or directly down the Gran Via if desired, one arrives at the Plaza de Santa Catalina, where a visit can be made to the Museo Ramón Gaya, a museum dedicated to Murcia-born universal painter Ramón Gaya.

Plaza de las Flores

Next to it is the Plaza de las Flores, one of the city's liveliest spots, where you can have a drink, buy flowers or enjoy Bonache's exquisite meat pies; next to it, the Plaza de San Pedro.

Towards the river Segura rises the old mudejar-style Palacio Almudi with its impressive hall with Doric columns, renamed the municipal art centre. Near this palace are the only exposed remains of the old Arab wall, which once surrounded the city, and, next door, the Convento de Verónicas, with its own cabinet of paintings. Above all, a visit to the opposite market square of the same name should not be forgotten. Nearby, the Museo Salzillo, housed in the Iglesia de Nuestro Padre Jesûs, in an annexed chapel beautifully decorated by Italian artist Sistori, displays some highlights of the processional art of this city's genius sculptor, Francisco Salzillo. The church also houses the nativity scene with 500 figures created by the sculptor, as well as some of his statues and sketches.

Malecón

From the museum, in the direction of the river, you can see the Malecón, a wide wall that runs for several kilometres into the market gardens, once built by the Moors to hold back the washing river water; near this wall, a beautiful and fresh green garden landscape unfolds, where it is a pleasure to relax, especially on hot summer days.

Universiteit Murcia

A short stroll along the riverbank takes us from the embankment to the Plaza de la Glorieta, one of Murcia's most popular city squares, with the Town Hall adjacent to it. A little further on is a long row of unusual buildings, among which special mention should be made of the baroque Episcopal Palace and the Palacio de los Fontes, built in the 18th century.

Through Calle de Correos, one arrives at the Palacio del Conde de Floridablanca Countal Palace, now a luxury hotel. Next to it, the gate Arco de San Juan, which opens onto the square of the same name; ideal for visiting one of the many pubs and taverns serving exquisite local cuisine.

Museums

Attention: Spanish museums are closed on Mondays!

  • MUBAM (Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia)
  • Casino
  • Archaeological museum
  • Municipal museum
  • Museum of sciences and water
  • Museum of the cathedral
  • Santa Clara de la Real cloister
  • Museo Salzillo
  • University

The immediate area

Around the city are the most recommended sights:

  • the Santuario de la Fuensanta, a pilgrimage chapel in the middle of the mountainous landscape, dedicated to the town's patroness;
  • Monteagudo, one of the chosen sites of King Alfons the Wise, with a magnificent Moorish palace-like complex, the Monasterio de los Jerónimos, also called the ‘Escurial of Murcia’, which, set among lemon groves, testifies to the grandeur of the former Spanish empire;
  • La Ñora, where one can see Roman water mills in operation;
  • the ninth-century Castillo del Valle, which evokes memories of the heyday of the ancient caliphate.

Murcia, student city

The city of Murcia has 2 universities that together provide education to some 40000 students:

Thee Universidad de Murcia (UM)
  • Public university
  • Founded in 1272
  • Tenth oldest in Spain
  • About 32000 students
  • website: www.um.es
The Universidad Catolica de Murcia (UCAM)
  • Private university
  • About 7500 students
  • website: www.ucam.edu