page_title: Murcia
section_title: Main sights
hierarchical_section_title: Murcia / Main sights
caption_attribution_description: Español: Castillo árabe de Monteagudo. El cristo fue añadido tras la guerra civil, antes existía otro que fue destruido. Tomada desde el pueblo de Monteagudo. This is a photo of a monument indexed in the Spanish heritage register of Bienes de Interés Cultural under the reference RI-51-0000747.
context_page_description: Murcia is a city in south-eastern Spain, the capital and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, and the seventh largest city in the country, with a population of 447,182 inhabitants in 2018. The population of the metropolitan area was 689,591 in 2010.
  It is located on the Segura River, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula; it has a climate with hot summers, mild winters, and relatively low precipitation.
  Murcia was founded by the emir of Cordoba Abd ar-Rahman II in 825 with the name Mursiyah. It is now mainly a services city and a university town. Highlights for visitors include the Cathedral of Murcia and a number of baroque buildings, renowned local cuisine, Holy Week procession works of art by the famous Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo, and the Fiestas de Primavera.
  The city, as the capital of the comarca Huerta de Murcia is called Europe's orchard due to its long agricultural tradition and its fruit, vegetable, and flower production and exports.
  Murcia is located near the center of a low-lying fertile plain known as the huerta of Murcia. The Segura River and its right-hand tributary, the Guadalentín, run through the area.
context_section_description: The Cathedral of Murcia was built between 1394 and 1465 in the Castilian Gothic style.  Its tower was completed in 1792 and shows a blend of architectural styles. The first two stories were built in the Renaissance style (1521–1546), while the third is Baroque. The bell pavilion exhibits both Rococo and Neoclassical influences.  The main façade (1736–1754) is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque style.
  Other noteworthy buildings in the square shared by the Cathedral (Plaza Cardinal Belluga) are the colorful Bishop's Palace (18th century) and a controversial extension to the town hall by Rafael Moneo (built in 1999).
  The Glorieta, which lies on the banks of the Segura River, has traditionally been the center of the town. It is a pleasant, landscaped city square that was constructed during the 18th century.  The ayuntamiento (city hall) of Murcia is located in this square.
  Pedestrian areas cover most of the old town of the city, which is centered around Platería and Trapería Streets. Trapería goes from the Cathedral to the Plaza de Santo Domingo, formerly a bustling market square.  Located in Trapería is the Casino, a social club erected in 1847, with a sumptuous interior that includes a Moorish-style patio inspired by the royal chambers of the Alhambra near Granada. The name Plateria refers to plata (silver), as this street was the historical focus for the commerce of rare metals by Murcia's Jewish community. The other street, Traperia, refers to trapos, or cloths, as this was once the focus for the Jewish community's garment trade.
  Several bridges of different styles span the river Segura, from the Puente de los Peligros, 18th century stone bridge with a Lady chapel on one of its sides; to modern bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava or Javier Manterola; through others such as the Puente Nuevo, an iron bridge of the early 20th century.
  Other notable places around Murcia include:
  Santa Clara monastery, a Gothic and Baroque monument where is located a museum with the Moorish palace's remains from the 13th century, called Alcázar Seguir.
  The Malecón boulevard, a former retaining wall for the Río Segura's floods.
  La Fuensanta sanctuary and adjacent El Valle regional park.
  Los Jerónimos monastery (18th century).
  Romea theatre (19th century).
  Circo theatre.
  Almudí Palace (17th century), art gallery in a historic building with coats of arms on its façade. On its interior there are Tuscan columns, and since 1985 it hosts the city archives and periodic art exhibitions.
  Monteagudo Castle (11th century).
  Salzillo Museum, showcases the art of 18th-century baroque sculptor and Murcia native Francisco Salzillo.
  Centro Párraga, contemporary arts centre located in one of the pavilions of the old Artillery Headquarters of Murcia. It houses multiple exhibitions, performances and concerts throughout the year.
  Murcia Archaeological Museum (MAM), covers the rich Prehistory and History of Murcia, from the Palaeolithic to the Christian and Visigoth Period.
  San Juan de Dios church-museum, Baroque and Rococo circular church with the remains of the Moorish palace mosque from the 12th century in the basement, called Alcázar Nasir.
  In the metropolitan area are also the Azud de la Contraparada reservoir and the Noria de La Ñora water wheel.
caption: Castillo de Monteagudo
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