Sierra Espuña
Sierra Espuña contains Murcia's largest extensions of forest, as well as being one of its most emblematic areas of outstanding natural beauty. Its modern verdure is due in large part to reforestation campaigns carried out towards the end of the 19th Century by Murcian philanthropist Ricardo CodornÃu, known by the nickname the Tree Apostle.
The districts bordering the area are RÃo Mula (Mula and Pliego) and Sierra Espuña (Alhama de Murcia, Totana, and Aledo). Mula and Pliego nestle between the Espuña and Ricote ranges and are places steeped in local tradition and culture, which, along with the area's scenery make them an ideal stopping place on inland routes in the region. Alhama de Murcia, Totana, and Aledo are all within easy reach of these wooded uplands, which naturally form part of the identity of the towns themselves.
The district is also known for its pottery manufacturing, and Totana is Spain's second most important area for pottery production. The district of Aledo has kept alive the tradition under the gaze of its Moorish watchtower and has dominated the valley since the days when it bore witness to skirmishes between Christians and Moors.
CASTLE - FORTALEZA DEL SOL - LORCA
Lorca's Castle, declared listed building by decree of the Spanish Ministry of Public Instructions and Fine Arts of June 3, 1931, rises crowning the city on a hill with optimal conditions of security and control over the Guadalentin Valley, encouraging the population establishment since prehistoric times.
The current appearance of the castle is the result of successive alterations and remodelings in order to adapt it to its military functions. The rests of this powerful Moorish fortification (713-1244) can be seen in some canvas of the wall known as Muro del Espaldón and beside the cistern that provides the vital needs of water.
After the capitulation of Lorca in 1244, the castle still fulfills the same military functions, marked by its boundary line with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
During the second half of the 13th century, King Alfonso X started the building of the three towers (one of them no longer exists) that characterized the current appearance of this fortress.
The Alfonsina Tower, built on the central and highest part of the Castle¿s hill, as a tower of tribute and a symbol of the Spanish power, replaced a smaller Muslim tower. Though walls of masonry delimitate the inside formed by three floors covered with brick vaults that are supported by a big central pillar. Light comes in on the last floor through four windows which have no mullion. On the eastern side there is a little entrance gate and hollow of the alleged foundational gravestone.
The Espolón Tower rises to strengthen the western end of the Castle¿s hill. Its square floor-plan has a high façade of masonry walls pierced by the stars and essential loopholes and by an open gate to the East. It has a cistern (where there is currently a dungeon) and two floors covered with ribbed vaults.
At the beginning of the 19th century, during the Peninsular War, cannons batteries popularly known as Caballerizas and other military units such as quarters, bakeries, etc. are incorporated to the fortress.
Nowadays the Moorish fortification, known as Fortress of the Sun, has become a cultural theme area that after a process of restoration, adequacy and designed for everyone, allows anyone to visit it and offers an intensive cultural experience and leisure through its exhibitions, live historical scenes, workshops and children's play area .
Tours in English evert Tuesday and Thursday
Telephone - 902 400 047
Mazarrón's Big Guns
This trip can be taken by either car or bicycle for cycling enthusiasts. Take the road for Cartagena from Puerto de Mazarron, as you approach the filling station turn right towards Isla Plana. Keep going until you reach the turning for La AzohÃa - the road is a very pleasant costal drive and passes some nice bays and beaches. Pass the turning for La AzohÃa and the road gently inclines. stay on this road until you see a turning on the right to Campillo de Adentro, take this road.
Campillo de Adentro lies in the hollow of a pretty valley surrounded by mountains. There are a few houses and farms but little else. Pass through the village and eventually you will come to the start of a military road with warning signs forbidding passage. Ignore these, they haven't been removed since the military abandoned the zone a few years ago. For the next 7 km the narrow road twists it's way upwards through the mountains, giving breathtaking views of the coastline and countryside. This is where driver caution is particularly important as this has become quite a popular place in recent years, the road is very narrow and it is tight for cars to pass safely.
Near the summit there is a left turn which takes you to the Guns, if you continue straight on then you'll get to a TV mast which has the same fine views as from the Guns, but nothing else. The Guns are approximately another 2 km from this turning.
This is a place which is certain to interest military historians, or simply those who fancy seeing something a little different. The main attractions are the two massive guns at Castillitos with their associated sighting points and control rooms. Although military architecture is often ugly, here the Battery has been built into the mountainside in the style of a castle using local stone. There are some smaller guns further along the road at Jorel which are also quite large but seem small in comparison to the guns at Castillitos. Finaly there is an abandoned AA battery at Atalayon which is the peak you first encounter on reaching the batteries. These massive batteries were part of the shore defenses for Cartagena, which is the headquarters of the Spanish Mediterranean Fleet, and often has visiting warships from other countries, including the USA.
It isn't known if these guns were ever fired in anger, although presumably some rounds must have been fired for commissioning purposes or for training exercises.
This outing would take about half a day to complete, you could visit one of the bars or resturants on the La Azohia road you passed earlier for refreshments on your return journey.
Roman Mines - Mazarron
The special deposits formed in this area were created by the eruption of two volcanoes, creating deposits that were mined first by the Romans, then a succession of cultures right up to present day. Mining created the vast wealth that lead to the explosion of housing in Cartagena and the up market villas of the wealthy in Alhama de Murcia, as well as providing employment for centuries in this area.
The Romans mined this area extensively, creating more than 200 mines for iron, 100 for lead and silver, 5 for copper and 2 for alum. This last one was the most popular, and was much appreciated for fixing colours in the tanning process and in glass making. Most of the mines are situated in the Sierra de San Cristobal, at 186 meters. Around the mines are the remains of chimneys, the mine buildings, the mini castellated turrets, which were used up until the 1950s.
The countryside all around glows with a multitude of colours, due to the sulphurs of the extracted minerals and the waste generated in the extraction process. Also there is an extensive vein of red ochre, in the centre of which is the old factory which made alums and ochres, of its time, the only one in Spain.
Street Markets
As well as indoor markets in Mazarron and Puerto Mazarron there is usually a large outdoor market in a town somewhere in the local area. These are excellent for buying good fresh vegetables and practising your Spanish. You can usually get anything from a tomato to a live chicken.
Street Markets
Monday : Cartagena
Tuesday : Alhama de Murcia
Wednesday : Totana
Thursday : Lorca & Librilla
Friday : El Paretón & Isla Plana (Summer only)
Saturday : Macaroon Town & Fuente Alamo
Sunday : Puerto de Mazarron (Large market) & Roldan
Terra Natura - Aquanatura - Murcia
Terra Natura Murcia has the only Water Park in the Region of Murcia: AQUANATURA. In the water park there are different areas for young and adults to enjoy of this refreshing emplacement.
Aqua Natura offers swimming pools appropriate for children but also for older visitors. They can also let go with a mild flow of water with or without floats.
All visitors can enjoy our smooth slides, our slides prepared ot be used with the parks floats (for one or two people) and our higher slides only suitable for braves.
In Aquanatura there are two snack bars and also the Kiwengwa Self Service with complete menus.
Visitors can rent sun beds. There are also lockers to leave personal belongings.
All water areas are always supervised by lifeguards and there is a medical service during the Water Park opening.
Come and enjoy the amazing and refreshing adventure in Murcia, the city of sun and only a few minutes from the city centre.
Telephone - +34 968368200
Terra Natura - Zoo - Murcia
The paradise is located in the city of Murcia: Terra Natura Murcia. A new type of zoo where you will be able to find the new concept of zoos: "The Zoo immersion"
During the tour, the visitor can enjoy real and amazing African habitats like the impressive lions, the amusing meerkats, the white rhino and giraffes. We also have animals from the Iberian Peninsula like the wolves, bears or the otters..
Enjoy at the vertiginous Birds of Prey Show and also learn in our Educational Sea Lions Show.
Telephone - +34 968368200