PROPERTY SEARCH
July 24 Tour of the historic coats of arms on important buildings in Caravaca
History through heraldry in Caravaca de la Cruz!
As one of the major religious pilgrimage destinations in Spain the city of Caravaca de la Cruz in north-western Murcia was also home in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period to some of the most important noble families in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula, and this is reflected in the number of imposing official and religious buildings and impressive former noble palace-homes in the old centre.
When these families built their residences in Caravaca (or indeed elsewhere) it was of great importance to them to show off their noble heritage and lineage, and there was no better way than to display the family coat of arms for all to see on the façade. As a result, these symbols of ancient power, nobility and perhaps vanity can be seen in a number of streets, opening a window onto the past and the history of the city during the period when baroque architecture was in vogue.
Much the same, of course, applied to the military religious Orders which were so important in Caravaca in the more distant past, safeguarding the holy relic of the True Cross and the city, which at the time was protected by a wall.
(Click here for a history of Caravaca de la Cruz.)
This free guided visit on 24th July, which is held in Spanish (although guides mostly have enough English to help!), is open to a maximum of 25 participants, with registration available online here through the regional tourist board website. Of course, those joining in are advised to wear comfortable clothing and footwear for a walk through the old town, as well as protective cream and headgear. And don’t forget to bring drinking water!
For more local news, events and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.
Address
Calle De Las Monjas, 19, 30400 CARAVACA DE LA CRUZTel: 968 702424 / 968 701003
Caravaca de la Cruz tourist office
More information about the places of interest which can be visited in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz, along with what's on and local news can be found in the Caravaca Today.
Caravaca de la Cruz, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, is one of only 5 Holy Cities in the Roman Catholic world, a centre of pilgrimage, along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liebana, and is home to the Cross of Caravaca, the Vera Cruz.
The status of Holy City was bestowed by Pope John Paul II in 1998, granting the City a Permanent Jubilee year every 7 years for perpetuity, the first one held in 2003 and the next in 2024.
The strategic and natural advantages of Caravaca de la Cruz have attracted the attention of settlers for more than 800,000 years, the Cueva Negra yielding remains of Homo Heidelbergensis, forbears of the Neanderthals and the municipality also houses important archaeological remains from the Argaric, Iberian and Roman cultures. many of these can be seen in the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
As a border town caught between the Catholic forces of Castille and the last remaining Moorish stronghold in Spain, Granada, Caravaca had a turbulent medieval history, but it was during this period that the legend of the Cross of Caravaca was born, bringing the religious orders which shaped the structure of Caravaca today, with its impressive hilltop castle and eclectic collection of churches and monasteries, religious tourism today being a backbone of the town´s economy.
Caravaca de la Cruz is a municipality with important natural resources, including extensive forests, part of which have protected status due to their wealth of flora and fauna, and due to the abundant water supplies is also a major area for canned fruit production, apricots in particular being an important crop.
Caravaca is renown for its important May Fiestas, held in honour of the Vera Cruz, which also incorporate the Moors and Christians celebrations and the Running of the Wine Horses.
Caravaca de la Cruz is also the home of Europe´s largest collection of ethnic instruments at Barranda, the Museo de Música Étnica Barranda and is the location of the Barranda festival de Cuadrillas, which celebrates the Region's ethnic music traditions.
The municipality is home to around 26,000 inhabitants and shares boundaries with Moratalla, Cehegín, Lorca, Puebla de Don Fadrique in the province of Granada and Vélez-Blanco in the province of Almería.
Tourist office opening times:
Weekdays: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Saturdays: 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Sundays and public holidays: 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Caravaca de la Cruz Tourist Office
