Casco Antiguo - Real Spain
Tucked away in a quiet street of the ancient quarter of this moorish town. The holiday home is in a sympathetically restored part of a 200 year old town house. Its open layout offers a large dining / kitchen area built into the rock of the hillside, a cosy sitting room and bedroom with wonderful views to the plain and mountains beyond. The package is completed with a modern bathroom with shower and bidet.
Whether youre looking for a short-term romantic break, a golfing weekend, a week walking in the fresh air, a scuba diving holiday or you want a longer term break in the mountains of Southern Spain - just let us know.
The Area
Moratalla is an old town of Arab origin with narrow streets, rambling up a steep hillside, off to the northwest of the province.
The town is capped by a castle with excellent views to the surrounding countryside and forest. It makes a good base for walking and cycling.
In the centre of town on Calle Constitución there’s a 16th – 18th century convent, Convento de San Francisco, with an exhibit room.
The fiesta for Moratalla is between the 11th and 17th of July for Cristo del Rayo.
Caravaca de la Cruz
Caravaca de la Cruz is a attractive medieval (12th and 13th century) town, with many historic, traditional properties in the old quarter. The town has been declared by the Vatican as one of the world’s Holy Cities, along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santa Toribio de Liebana, thus giving Spain three out of five. Caravaca de la Cruz is also allowed to celebrate the Perpetual Jubilee once every seven years. The next time will be in 2010.
Carvaca De La Cruz
Narrow streets and alleys lead towards the castle, built in the 15th century and commissioned by the Knights Templar. Parking is a nightmare – park whereever you can find a space and walk! Once out and about, you’ll quickly find a number of museums, such as Museo Sacro de la Vera Cruz (religious artefacts), Museo de los Festejos and also Museo Arqueológico.
Down in the centre of town the main attractions are the Iglesia del Salvador, the monastery at Iglesia de San José and Ermita de San Sebastián (with interesting murals). Around the area you can find the spring at Fuentes de Marqués and various archeological sites at Cueva Negra, Palacia de Armas, Los Villares, Cerro de la Ermitas and Cuevo del Rey Moro.
Santuario De La SantísimaSantuario De La SantísimaUp the hill, you’ll find the most photographed church in the area, El Santuario de Vera Cruz, with a pink marble facade. The church houses the cross used in the Easter celebrations – Semana Santa.
At the beginning of May Caravaca has very famous and popular fiestas – Santísima y Vera Cruz. Book your accommodation well in advance.
Another popular part of the May fiesta is los Caballos del Vino (wine horses), in commemoration of a tradition that took place in the 13th century. The Christians besieged in the fortress by the Arabs managed to break the siege and search for water. When they failed to find any water, they returned to the fortress with the wineskins on their horses filled with wine. The commemoration consists of decoratively harnessed horses galloping up the steep slopes to the Castle.
Calasparra
Noted for its excellent rice growing, which is due to the proximity of the rivers Segura, Quípar and Argos. In the centre of town you can find the remains of an Arab castle off Plaza de la Constitución. There is an archaeological museum in the old Palace House of La Encomienda, there are a number of old churches such as Iglesia de la Merced, Iglesia de san Pedro (18th century) and Iglesia de los Santos (18th century).
Calasparra Rice FieldCalasparra Rice Field
Calasparra specialities such as rice, sweets and cheeses can be found in Calle Teniente Flomesta.
Around Calasparra you can go up to Las Lomas de la Virgen to get a wonderful view of the mountains, the river and the rice fields. Nearby you’ll find the natural reserve of Cañadaverosa. Another nearby beauty spot is Cañón de Los Almadenes.
Calasparra has a fiesta of Virgen de la Esperanza which is between the 2nd and 8th of September.