{"id":270,"date":"2018-12-17T09:50:19","date_gmt":"2018-12-17T09:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latorre.desmet-claus.be\/?page_id=270"},"modified":"2024-07-25T10:13:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T08:13:09","slug":"murcia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/latorre.desmet-claus.be\/en\/murcia\/","title":{"rendered":"Murcia city"},"content":{"rendered":"

Murcia city<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make time to experience and discover Murcia's authenticity, conviviality and hidden gems.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A walk through the city<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The old town on the left bank of the Segura still recalls Moorish rule.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kathedraal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A perfect starting point for a visit is the Calle de la Traper\u00eda 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 Traper\u00eda is crossed by the Plater\u00eda, one of the city's other historic streets.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Traper\u00eda 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cathedral has a grandiose baroque fa\u00e7ade 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 V\u00e9lez (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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Plaza Santo Domingo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teatro Romea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Behind the old gate of Santo Domingo one discovers the Plaza de Juli\u00e1n Romea with, in that square, the recently restored, isabelline-style Romea theatre (1862) , surrounded by numerous tribal cafes, a true paradise on sunny mornings.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Ram\u00f3n Gaya, a museum dedicated to Murcia-born universal painter Ram\u00f3n Gaya.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Plaza de las Flores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Ver\u00f3nicas, 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 Jes\u00fbs, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Malec\u00f3n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From the museum, in the direction of the river, you can see the Malec\u00f3n, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Universiteit Murcia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museums<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Attention: Spanish museums are closed on Mondays!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n