Murcia Walks
Route 1. From the Glorieta de España to the Plaza de Santo Domingo
Length of walk: two hours to two and half hours.
- South façade of the Bishop´s Palace
(18th century)
A building in the rococo style, with something of the Italian
and the French. A jutting bay known as the “hammer”
forms one side of the Glorieta square.
- The City Hall (19th century)
With a Classical façade, it is on line with the Bishop´s
Palace, together constituting a beautiful group of urban buildings.
Between the City Hall and the Palace, the Calle Arenal lane leads
us to the Plaza Belluga, a square surrounded by buildings of great
architectural interest. - The City Hall Annexe.
From the balcony of this impressive new building designed by the
international architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999, there
is a magnificent view of the west façade of the Cathedral,
like a vast stone- carved altar- piece.
- The Bishop’s Palace (18th century)
Main façade with archway through to the cloisters.
- Murcia Cathedral (14th to 18th centuries)
Different architectural styles- Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque-
are evident of the different periods at which building went on.
Within is the Cathedral Museum- sculpture, paintings, wood- carving,
gold and silver plate and vestments (14th- 18th centuries). The
streets around the cathedral, Plaza de la Cruz, Puerta del Pozo,
the Porticos and the Plaza los Apóstoles constitute a pedestrian
precinct with their interesting eighteenth century architecture.
We take an alley- way named after Sor Valentina Garcia to reach.
- The San Juan de Dios Museum- church (18th century).
Interesting Baroque carving and paintings. Free guided visits.
- Former San Fulgencio Seminary (18th century).
Next door to the Church of San Juan de Dios. The building has
recently been restored and now is the home of the Licenciado Cascales
secondary school. The main façade gives public access to
the cloisters.
- The School of Dramatic Art: next door to the San Fulgencio Seminary. The Former San Isidro Theological College (18th century). At presents it holds the Centre for Dramatic Art and School of Dance. Returning to the Plaza de los Apóstoles and taking Hernandez Amores lane we come to the Calle Trapería.
- Murcia Casino (19th century): In the Calle Trapería. The interior is fascinating on account of the many architectural and decorative styles used in the different saloons: the Neorocco ballroom, a Moorish entrance hall, and the magnificent central patio in Pompeian style. - Santo Domingo square and the Convent Church of Santo Domingo (18th century): With facades onto the Plaza de Santo Domingo and the Romea squares. Trough the Arco de Santo Domingo archway between the church and the Almodovar Palace, we come to the Julian Romea square.
- Teatro Romea (late 19th century): to be seen: the theatre interior with its boxes, tiered balconies and typical nineteenth century painted ceilings, and the Hall of Mirrors.
- The Convent Church of Santa Clara (behind the Theatre Romea). Built through the fifteenths to seventeenth centuries on the site of the old Alcázar Seguir. Inside there is a Baroque altar- piece carved by Francisco Salzillo. Over the remains of twelfth and thirteenth century Moorish dwellings, the Las Claras Exhibition Hall has been opened with its original wooden ceiling panels.
- The Convent Church of Santa Ana (18th century) (opposite Santa Clara, across the Boulevard de Alfonso X El Sabio). Within, a beautiful altar- piece with carvings by Francisco Salzillo. The Sisters of the Enclosed Order of Santa Ana make delicious sweetmeats, which can be purchased through the revolving hatchway. If we take the alley beyond the convent, we return to the Plaza de Santo Domingo.
Route 2. From the City Museum to the Plaza de las Flores
Length of walk: two to two and half hours.
- City Museum (Plaza de las Agustinas): Stands on the site of the old Palacio de Junterones. Shows 2000 years of history of the city, guided visits.
- Convent and Church of Las Agustinas(18th century): Neoclassical style buildings. The main altar- piece has a carved figure of Saint Augustine, work of Francisco Salzillo. From the Plaza de las Angustias, crossing Calle Acisclo Diaz, we reach the San Esteban buildings.
- Palace and Church of San Esteban (16th century): the first college of the Company of Jesus in Spain. Seat of the Government of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. The church is no longer used as such, but cultural and official events are held there. There is a beautiful two- storey cloister with stylized columns.
- Church of San Miguel (16th century):the main altar- piece is a splendid example of the Baroque of eastern Spain. The altar carvings are by Francisco Salzillo, aided by his father, Nicolas Salzillo, who carved the figure of Saint Michael, after whom the church is named.
- If we continue down the Calle Acisclo Diaz, we come to the Grand Via Francisco Salzillo. Turning right we come to the Plaza de Santa Isabel, recently remodelled by the local architect, Juan Antonio Molina.
- Ramón Gaya Museum (Casa Palarea) in Plaza de Santa Catalina, with works by that well- known contemporary local painter.
- Plaza de las Flores: between the Santa Catalina
and San Pedro squares, this is an ideal place to have a rest on
reaching the end of our walk. This compact square is lined with
flower- stalls, bars and typical open- air cafes. Relax under
a gaily- coloured awning with a few plates of our famed “tapas”
and admire the façade of the church of San Pedro. One of
the most popular shops in the square is Bonache, the baker’s
and confectioner’s, with its special meat- pieces, whose
unique recipe is to be found in a Royal Order given by Carlos
II.
Murcia guide