Murcia City
Murcia City is the capital of the Region of Murcia, and with more than 400,000 inhabitants, is the seventh most populated City in Spain.
Situated in the fertile valley of the river Segura, it is surrounded by the irrigated orchards created during it's evolution as a Moorish walled city.
These Huertos yield sweet citrus fruits, and breed tradition, a tradition of folk music, and a sense of belonging to the soil which is proudly celebrated in the annual Fiestas de la Primavera, the Fiestas of Spring, which fill the city with flowers, costumes, music and dancing, as the Huertanos celebrate their roots and the bounty of the earth.
But it doesn´t stop there.
Murcians are imbued with an enjoyment for life which ensures a steady flow of the most spectacular celebrations and cultural activities in the Region: The Burning of the Sardine, the Moors and Christians, the Bando de la Huerta, the Autumn Feria, Christmas and the spectacular Three Kings Parade, as well as an ample offering of music and exhibitions in the Museums, Galleries and Theatres of Murcia.
The City also has a rich religious tradition, rooted in the baroque splendour of it's churches and Cathedral, with works by the Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo, his pupil Roque López and their modern counterparts, the most important of these pieces sallying forth in the Semana Santa processions for which the City is so justifiably famous.
This History of Murcia provides a rich cultural offering for visiting tourists, an offering which also includes the aqua and wildlife parkof Terra Natura, a varied and comprehensive range of shopping options, as well as a renowned gastronomic tradition, with plenty of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes.
Although Murcia's roots are firmly rooted in agriculture, it earns it's living in the 21st century in the services and manufacturing sectors, surrounded by industrial production, shopping centres, such as Nueva Condomina and Thader, and industrial parks, focusing on technology, alternative energy and alimentation.
With extensive sports facilities, the city is also home to Murcia University, and boasts a high tech tram system linking the campus to the city.
Click for map, Murcia, Region of Murcia.
Murcia Capital is just half an hour from the coast and 15 minutes from the new Corvera International Airport, due to open in 2012, which is within the municipality of Murcia.
