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Infrastructures improved at Caravaca rural tourism sites in Barranda and Archivel
Both of these Caravaca sites contain Roman remains and even older relics from the Bronze Age
The Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz has completed work to improve the infrastructures at the popular rural tourism sites of Las Tosquillas in Barranda and the Cerro de la Fuente in Archivel, both of them part of the “Camino a Caravaca” program and requiring a total investment of approximately 84,000 euros (including EU Next Generation funds).
Among the aims of the recent work have been the re-wilding of the sites and the protection of their rich archaeological and historical heritage, as Caravaca attempts to widen the range of tourism options without excluding, of course, the historic centre of the Holy City.
Both spots now boast panoramic viewing points with shaded areas, wooden benches and information panels describing the elements of the vistas, and other signposting has also been renewed. QR codes provide historical background to both sites, as well as information regarding the local flora and fauna.
At Las Tosquillas the path to the archaeological sites of La Cabezuela has been improved and native species of plant have been re-planted, while the barbecue area has been eliminated due to the fire risk. At the Cerro de la Fuente in Archivel, meanwhile, the path to the La Muralla freshwater spring has been improved and again seating has been provided.
Both of these sites are of great historical significance, containing architecture dating back to the 1st century BC and the times of conflict between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. However, human occupation is known to have occurred far earlier, with relics having been discovered from the Bronze Age and the Argaric culture (around 4,500 years ago).
They are also both important as sources of natural spring water, which for centuries supported human life in their resspective areas.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office (see below) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.
staff.inc.and
Address
Calle De Las Monjas, 19, 30400 CARAVACA DE LA CRUZTel: 968 702424 / 968 701003
Oficina de Turismo de Caravaca de la Cruz
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.
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
