Murcia information
Monuments
The Church of "Nuestro Padre Jesus": 17th century.
Built by Francisco Montiyuelo and Blas Lopez on the site of an
earlier chapel it belongs to the religious fraternity of the same
name, founded in 1600. The façade was completely remodelled in
the 18th century. Restored I nthe twentieth century, in 1960 it
became a museum of the works of Francisco Salzillo, displaying
a fundamental part of the huge body of creative work by our brilliant
local wood- carver (1707-1781). The main feature is the set of
eight processional floats belonging to the fraternity and the
556 figures of the world- famous Christmas Crib.
The Casino: 1847. In 1902 Pedro Cerdán carried
out the building of the present fancifully- styled façade giving
onto the Calle Trapería, a centuries old social life in the city,
containing a lovely library, the hidden secrets of the Ladie´s
Powder Room, a magnificent Moorish patio designed by Manuel Castaños
and a splendid Neobaroque Ballroom, all well- worth a visit.
The Bishop´s Palace: 18th century (1748-1768).
A Rococco style building with two noteworthy facades, one giving
onto the "Cardenal Belluga" square and the other onto the "Glorieta
de España" gardens. It is the work of Pedro Bagán, Baltasar Canestro
and José López, who also contributed to the main front of the
Cathedral. Its central courtyard, main staircase, Bishop´s Balcony
(known as "El Martillo") and Palace chapel should be seen.
The Convent Church of Santa Ana: 18th century.
Built between 1728 and 1738 by Fray Antonio de San José and Torribio
Martínez de la Vega, it is the third church to be raised on the
site of the convent founded in 1490. Te main door is the work
of Lucas Corrales. Inside, the main altarpiece by josé Ganga Ripoll
is to be noticed, with its thirteen wood carvings by Francisco
Salzillo. Do not go away without sampling the delicious freshly-
baked cakes which the Sisters of the Enclosed Order sell through
the revolving hatch.
The "Malecón" walk: 18th century. Buiding commenced
in 1730 on the foundations of a flood embankment already in existence
in 1420. Today it is a pleasant walk, about three metres above
ground level, which takes us about one and a half kilometres into
the surrounding market garden area, enabling us to admire panoramic
views of the city and countryside, equally interesting at all
times of year. As we begin our stroll we pass a delightful Boticanal
Graden.
The Church of San Miguel: 17th and 18th centuries,
built on the ruins of an earlier church. Specially noteworthy
are the richly coloured Baroque alterpieces, work of the woodcarvers
Jacinto Perales and Francisco Salzillo. It stands opposite the
Jesuit College of San Esteban, the former church of San Esteban
and very near to the interesting "Casa de los Nueve Pisos" (nine-
storey apartment block.)
The Convent of Santa Clara la Real: 14th to 18th
centuries. Commonly known as "Las Claras", because of the nuns
of the Enclosed Order, it is a medieval convent built on the foundations
of the "Alcazar Seguir" whose beautiful remains can still be admired
today. It also has an 18th century Baroque church, an interesting
Museum of Religious Art and a 15th century Mudejar- Gothic cloister.
The latter is not usually on view, being whitin the nuns private
enclosure.
The Almudí: 17th century (1602- 1628). Originally
the "Pósito de Trigo", a public silo for the storage of corn collected
as tithes, it is attributed to Pedro Monte de Isla and was destroyed
by lightning in 1612. To be noted are the Columned Courtyard and
the main façade with its relief by Hernando de Torquemada showing
Murcia as a mother who gestures aside her own children in order
to feed homeless waifs, an allegory of the heartfelt hospitality
so typical of our city. Reconditioned in 1985, it is now used
as an Art Centre and City Archives.
The "Salitre" Garden: 19th- 20th centuries. Until
the 70´s this area was part of the National Gunpowder and Salpetre
Factory. Its shady trees date from that period, and it now constitutes
a fine example of the modern development of quarters beyond the
historic city centre. The medieval and Moorish Murcia, which could
not afford room for open spaces within the city walls, is surrounded
by a wide green belt composed of a succession of gardens, parks
and green areas along the river banks, allowing us to enjoy the
natural resources of this ecologically privileged region.