Province of Murcia

The Province of Murcia is one of Spain's least visited places. Muslims from North Africa occupied the area for many years and left behind a system of irrigation including waterwheels, aqueducts and acequias, or canals. The network of irrigation helps distribute the 300mm of sparse annual rainfall, allowing some land to be cultivated intensely.

The Parque Natural de Sierra Espuna draws climbers and walkers, while beach and sun worshippers prefer the 250km of Mediterranean coastline, the Costa Calida, which includes the tepid waters of the Mar Menor.

Lovers of coastal holidays will not be disappointed by what the Costa Calida has to offer, but venture inland and discover a rich cultural heritage shaped by the historical events of the Old World. Conflicts with the Greeks, Carthaginians & Romans, to name but a few, have all contributed in some part.

The castles, which dominate the inland valleys, are testament to the strategic importance of the region around the 13th century. Murcia, Cartagena, Lorca, Caravaca, Jumilla, Cehegin and other towns and cities built fine palaces, convents and churches. Artists, contracted by noblemen concerned with a refined cultural development, brought the Renaissance to these shores.

Murcia became a capital of Baroque art, personified by the exceptional work of Salzillo, an artist of Italian origin, who has become a symbol of the cities of this region.

There is still much to see from that time and a visitor can discover a spectacular artistic repertoire. Many examples of Baroque taste are frequently found in the churches, museums and streets of many of the regions towns and cities.