Murcia information
Recommended City Centre Walks
Route 1. From the Glorieta de España to the
Plaza de Santo Domingo
Length of walk: two hours to two and half hours.
- South façade of the Bishop´s Palace (18th century)
A building in the rococo style, with something of the Italian
and the French. A jutting bay known as the "hammer" forms one
side of the Glorieta square.
- The City Hall (19th century)
With a Classical façade, it is on line with the Bishop´s Palace,
together constituting a beautiful group of urban buildings. Between
the City Hall and the Palace, the Calle Arenal lane leads us to
the Plaza Belluga, a square surrounded by buildings of great architectural
interest. - The City Hall Annexe.
From the balcony of this impressive new building designed by the
international architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999, there
is a magnificent view of the west façade of the Cathedral, like
a vast stone- carved altar- piece.
- The Bishop's Palace (18th century)
Main façade with archway through to the cloisters.
- Murcia Cathedral (14th to 18th centuries)
Different architectural styles- Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque-
are evident of the different periods at which building went on.
Within is the Cathedral Museum- sculpture, paintings, wood- carving,
gold and silver plate and vestments (14th- 18th centuries). The
streets around the cathedral, Plaza de la Cruz, Puerta del Pozo,
the Porticos and the Plaza los Apóstoles constitute a pedestrian
precinct with their interesting eighteenth century architecture.
We take an alley- way named after Sor Valentina Garcia to reach.
- The San Juan de Dios Museum- church (18th century).
Interesting Baroque carving and paintings. Free guided visits.
- Former San Fulgencio Seminary (18th century).
Next door to the Church of San Juan de Dios. The building has
recently been restored and now is the home of the Licenciado Cascales
secondary school. The main façade gives public access to the cloisters.
- The School of Dramatic Art: next door to the San Fulgencio
Seminary. The Former San Isidro Theological College (18th century).
At presents it holds the Centre for Dramatic Art and School of
Dance. Returning to the Plaza de los Apóstoles and taking Hernandez
Amores lane we come to the Calle Trapería.
- Murcia Casino (19th century): In the Calle Trapería.
The interior is fascinating on account of the many architectural
and decorative styles used in the different saloons: the Neorocco
ballroom, a Moorish entrance hall, and the magnificent central
patio in Pompeian style. - Santo Domingo square and the Convent
Church of Santo Domingo (18th century): With facades onto the
Plaza de Santo Domingo and the Romea squares. Trough the Arco
de Santo Domingo archway between the church and the Almodovar
Palace, we come to the Julian Romea square.
- Teatro Romea (late 19th century): to be seen: the theatre
interior with its boxes, tiered balconies and typical nineteenth
century painted ceilings, and the Hall of Mirrors.
- The Convent Church of Santa Clara (behind the Theatre Romea).
Built through the fifteenths to seventeenth centuries on the site
of the old Alcázar Seguir. Inside there is a Baroque altar- piece
carved by Francisco Salzillo. Over the remains of twelfth and
thirteenth century Moorish dwellings, the Las Claras Exhibition
Hall has been opened with its original wooden ceiling panels.
- The Convent Church of Santa Ana (18th century) (opposite
Santa Clara, across the Boulevard de Alfonso X El Sabio). Within,
a beautiful altar- piece with carvings by Francisco Salzillo.
The Sisters of the Enclosed Order of Santa Ana make delicious
sweetmeats, which can be purchased through the revolving hatchway.
If we take the alley beyond the convent, we return to the Plaza
de Santo Domingo.
Route 2. From the City Museum to the Plaza de las Flores
Length of walk: two to two and half hours.
- City Museum (Plaza de las Agustinas): Stands on the
site of the old Palacio de Junterones. Shows 2000 years of history
of the city, guided visits.
- Convent and Church of Las Agustinas(18th century):
Neoclassical style buildings. The main altar- piece has a carved
figure of Saint Augustine, work of Francisco Salzillo. From the
Plaza de las Angustias, crossing Calle Acisclo Diaz, we reach
the San Esteban buildings.
- Palace and Church of San Esteban (16th century): the
first college of the Company of Jesus in Spain. Seat of the Government
of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. The church
is no longer used as such, but cultural and official events are
held there. There is a beautiful two- storey cloister with stylized
columns.
- Church of San Miguel (16th century):the main altar-
piece is a splendid example of the Baroque of eastern Spain. The
altar carvings are by Francisco Salzillo, aided by his father,
Nicolas Salzillo, who carved the figure of Saint Michael, after
whom the church is named.
- If we continue down the Calle Acisclo Diaz, we come to the Grand
Via Francisco Salzillo. Turning right we come to the Plaza de
Santa Isabel, recently remodelled by the local architect, Juan
Antonio Molina.
- Ramón Gaya Museum (Casa Palarea) in Plaza de Santa
Catalina, with works by that well- known contemporary local painter.
- Plaza de las Flores: between the Santa Catalina and
San Pedro squares, this is an ideal place to have a rest on reaching
the end of our walk. This compact square is lined with flower-
stalls, bars and typical open- air cafes. Relax under a gaily-
coloured awning with a few plates of our famed "tapas" and admire
the façade of the church of San Pedro. One of the most popular
shops in the square is Bonache, the baker's and confectioner's,
with its special meat- pieces, whose unique recipe is to be found
in a Royal Order given by Carlos II.