Marvellous May is the link from Spring to Summer. A fabulous time of year to be outside and explore the delights of NW Murcia. Stay informed online at www.costacálidachronicle.com and blog and the relevant Tourist Office websites.
BULLAS
www.bullas.es
T: 968 652 244 Market Tues
Wine heritage info: The Casa-Museo Don Pepe Marsilla has authentic interiors. Guided tours (in English) for only 2 persons (5€ pp) or there is an audio guide system in English. The Museo del Vino has a shop with bodega prices. To visit either/info, tel 968 657 211 or the Tourist Office or email casamuseodonpepe@bullas.es
CALASPARRA
www.turismocalasparra.es
T: 968 745 325 Market Fri
Sunday 5th – Guided Tour (in Spanish) of La Villa Vieja (old town), a Moorish settlement established in the 12th/13th centuries, close to the Sanctuary of La Esperanza. Info and booking at Tourist Office.
Support the Royal British Legion established in Calasparra.
murcia.secretary.rbl@gmail.com
For action-packed fun: Canon y Canon Multiaventuras offers bungee jumping, zipline, paintball, rafting, canyoning, hiking and more.
Tel 654 911 510 (English) or go through the Tourist Office.
CARAVACA
www.turismocaravaca.org
T: 968 702 424 Market Mon
Wednesday 1st – Sunday 5th May – Santísima Vera Cruz Fiesta
This fiesta has been celebrated since the Middle Ages and is a mixture of culture, history and legend, where all the locals get involved. It has two main spectacles: the Wine Horses, and the Moors & Christians celebrations. The latter represent the battles that took place between the two sides way back in history. On the first day, floral offerings are made at the Castle-Sanctuary. The following day starts with a reveille to the sound of bells and rockets. There are spectacular processions of the Moors and Christians and the Wine Horses which are richly saddled. The horses race up the hill to the Castle. On 3rd May the Baño de la Cruz is celebrated in the Baroque shrine, commemorating the miracle that occurred in 1384 when the blessed waters brought an end to a plague of locusts. Parades, processions and a range of firework displays complete the fiesta.
Sunday 19th – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the historical quarter from the front of the Castle, winding down through the medieval town to finish at Plaza del Templete. A highly visual tour with English leaflets and info boards. 11am for 1½ hrs; wear comfy shoes.
CEHEGÍN
www.turismocehegin.es
T: 968 723 550 Market Wed
Sunday 19th – Car Boot Sale in the park Gines de Paco at the bottom of Gran Via. Easy parking. Book a site via the tourist office – charge 1€ per metre.
Saturday 25th – 2hr Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the many baroque palatial homes and their rich history and architectural beauty. Concludes at the Palacio de la Tercia which houses the school of wine for sampling locally produced wines. 11.30am from the Plaza del Castillo. Wear comfy shoes. Reserve at Tourist Office.
Sunday 26th – The monthly artisan market is cancelled because of elections.
The Archaeological See of Begastri is open on Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm. A video presentation is followed by a guided tour to see the remains of the Iberian culture before the IV century BC.
The Eco Park ‘Coto de las Maravillas’ has zip lines, archery, nature walks and many other organised outdoor activities. Campsite, BBQ area and kiosk-bar offering a great menu. Open weekends 10am-5pm; week days prior booking. Tel 968 069 202 Mon to Fri 9am-3pm.
Email info@conexioncultura.es
www.cotodelasmaravillas.com
JUMILLA
www.jumilla.org
T: 968 780 237 Market Tues
Saturdays 4th & 18th – Two Spanish Language Tours of restored castle. 10.15am or 11.30am from Tourist Office. Book at Tourist Office (English language leaflets available). Own transport needed. 2.10€ incl IVA.
Saturday 11th – English Language Guided Tour of Santa Ana Monastery 10am. A Spanish language tour 12pm. Free en
trance (donations asked for). Meet at atrium. More info at Tourist Office – can combine with a bodega visit.
Sunday 12th (Spanish) & Saturday 1st June (English) – Free Guided Tour (in Spanish) of the old quarter and the Archaeological Museum. 10.30am from Teatro Vico.
Sunday 19th – English/Spanish Language Tour of restored castle. 10.15am from Tourist Office. 2.10€. Book at Tourist Office – own car needed. A further Spanish language tour at 11.30am.
Check out the Archaeological Museum (tel: 968 757 379) and the Ethnography and Natural Sciences Museum (968 780 740) which also offer various workshops for all the family at various times.
Wine buffs can contact a choice of 15 bodegas affiliated to the Ruta del Vino for guided visits for small groups or individuals and to buy produce. Liaise with bodegas as most will attempt to coordinate groups and provide a relevant language-guide; or enquire through Tourist Office.
MORATALLA
www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net
T: 968 730 208 Market Sat
Tours to the Rock Art of Moratalla are available encapsulating prehistoric to medieval styles and worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage status. There are several routes and modes of transport – details on www.turismomoratalla.com; request information via
info@turismomoratalla.com or tel
696 807 037
MULA
www.mula.es
T: 968 661 501 Market Sat
Art Exhibition & Collages ‘Nacho Murillo’ @The Museo Ciudad de Mula until 10th June.
Mon to Sun 10am-2pm (closed Tuesdays).
Check out the El Cigarralejo Museum and the Casa Pinatada which have several new exhibitions. More info at Tourist Office.
MURCIA
www.turismodemurcia.es
T: 968 358 749
Discover the contemporary arts centre ‘Centro Parraga’ in the city centre.
Tel 968 351 410
info@centroparraga.com
Arturo Mendez Exhibition until 26th May.
Images which ‘animalize’ humanity analyse concepts related to identity and human nature. Free entry Mon to Fri 9am-8pm.
The Dutch literary theorist and video artist Mieke Bal exhibits until the 9th June.
May Events
Thursday 9th – A Carmen Baena Sculpture Exhibition in white marble runs to 23rd June. Free entry. She has exhibited in major European cities.
Friday 10th – Two contemporary dance performances: All Cats Are Beautiful and Aguanta.
Friday 17th – Dramatist Emilio Manzano presents Proyecto Pueblo.
Friday 24th – Lo Pequeno, a drama presented by actors Jorge Dutor, Cris Blanco and Guillem Mont de Palol.
Monday 20th – Murcia Conservatorio students in 3rd and 4th year of studies present new compositions.
Free Monthly Organ Recitals in selected cathedrals and churches to June 2019. All start at 8.30pm. Contact Tourist Office for details.
The Auditorio Victor Villegas hosts the following and more info/booking is available from 9am-2pm at box office or tel: 968 343 080
Monday 6th – Tchaikovsky Orchestra of Moscow. 8pm. Tickets 25€/ 30€/35€
Sunday 12th – A lunchtime Classical and Jazz Concert feature Trio Romea, Duo Rodriguez-Valero and LCD Funk. 12pm for the classical, and 1.15pm with jazz and an aperitivo. 15€.
Friday 17th – The Orpheus Music Choir performs at 8.30pm. 6€.
Saturday 18th – The Spanish National Ballet & OSRM, perform ‘Celtiberia’ and ‘El Sombrero de Tres Picos’ (The Three-Cornered Hat) – original stage design by Pablo Picasso. 8pm. 25€/35€/40€.
Sunday 19th – Midday Concert with Bands from La Union and Totana. 3€.
Sunday 19th – Choral Concert With Diatessaron Choir. 7pm. 10€.
Friday 24th – Guest pianist, Joaquin Achucarro with OSRM to perform works by Greig, Nielsen and Smetana. 8pm. 8€/11€/13€.
Saturday 25th – Adexe y Nau, two online musicians from Tenerife with a YouTube following of over one million subscribers, performing live. 8pm. 20€-50€ – VIP tickets 100€.
Monday 27th – Praga Camerata Classical Music Ensemble, featuring soloists Martin Sedlak on cello and lead violinist Pavel Hula, perform a programme which includes works by Handel, Vivaldi, Gershwin and Schubert. 8pm. 15€.
Friday 31st – The renowned violinist, Paco Montalvo, thrills with his concept of the flamenco violin, performing numbers from his albums together with Spanish classics. 9.30pm. 27€-45€.
YECLA
www.turismo.yecla.es
T: 968 754 104 Market Wed
The fiestas of San Isidro continue to run to 20th May, held to honour the patron saint of agriculture.
Saturday 18th – Parade of Paper Floats; a spectacular sight, known as Gran Cabalgata de Carrozas from midday.
5pm the parade follows a specified route to the area by the Antigua Estacion. Plenty of wine and food available.
10.30pm in los Ventorrillos, live music from the Orquesta Mascara.