My name is Shaun Matthews and I run the ‘Expat in Mazarron’ YouTube channel, which I began when arriving in Spain in 2015. The channel is based on me living in Spain and the area of Murcia where I live. My channel is based on topics such as; places of interest, types of property available, places to visit out walking and many more things besides about Spain and the area.
Last year, I set up a new channel before the COVID-19 pandemic and felt the enormity of what was to hit us this past year. I called the new channel Camposol Explorers. It wasto be based on exploring the Murcia Region with opportunities for people from Camposol to join in the experience. Although COVID-19 hit us with restrictions and lockdowns, we still managed to get out and about. A few walks where myself and my Bonnie dog and several more were with friends when allowed.
In March 2021, Camposol Explorers were all set to go out on their first group visit, but restrictions limited us to only four persons using two cars. Our first location was Christ of Monteagudo (Google Maps: S. Nav location name) which is just outside Murcia City. This is an 11th century castle, with a 14 metre statue of Christ situated on its highest point. First built in 1926, it was then destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and rebuilt again in 1951. Currently the statue is in bad state of decay and the road leading to the car park is closed, but there is other parking close by and it is possible to walk up to the base of the castle.
Our second location: Santuario Romano Cueva Negra (Google Maps: S. Nav location name) is based in Fortuna and is also known as the ‘Roman Sanctuary or Black Caves’. There are several caves with one having Romano graffiti writings on the walls.
A notice board nearby explains the content of the writings. It is believed this was a place the Romans used to pray to their gods. There is a parking/picnic area close by followed by a walk up a steep slope.
The group finished the first part of the morning with a very enjoyable and well earned picnic.
Our third and final location of the day: an ‘Abandoned Golf Resort’, is one of the biggest in the Murcia Region, called Fortuna Hills Golf Resort. The directions are: just before entering the town of Fortuna from the direction of Murcia City, you can see the skeletal remains of a large habitation showing building structures on your right hand side of the road. This habitation began around 2005/6. The promotors were expected to build 3,737 houses by 2007, but by 2009 they went into bankruptcy owing 120 million euros.
For further information check out our latest video on YouTube called – ‘Camposol Explorers 7 Spain’.