Murcia

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For the municipality in the Philippines, see Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Image:Murcia, Spain location.png Murcia (Template:Coor dm) is a city and municipality on the river Segura in southeastern Spain and the capital of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia. Population: 409,810 (2005); 563,272 including the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns), ranking as the 12th-largest metropolitan area of Spain. Since 2003 the mayor has been Miguel Ángel Cámara Botía (PP).

Murcia is built nearly in the centre of a low-lying fertile plain, known as the huerta or market garden of Murcia, which includes the valleys of the Segura and its right-hand tributary the Guadalentín (Wadalentin) or river Sangonera, and is surrounded by mountains. Despite the proximity of the sea, the climate is subject to great variations: the summer heat is severe, while frosts are occasionally experienced in the capital during the winter.

Precipitation in Murcia is scarce, with less than 200 mm (7.9 inches) registered in the recently terminated hydrological year (October 2004 to September 2005).

Murcia-San Javier Airport (MJV) is located on the edge of the Mar Menor close to the towns of San Javier and Santiago de la Ribera, 45 km southeast of Murcia, about 30 minutes by car. The airport at Alicante is frequently used by travellers to Murcia also.

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History

Image:Poblacion-Murcia-ciudad-1900-2005.png

Murcia was founded with the name of Medinat Mursiya in A.D. 825 by Abd ar-Rahman II, emir of Al-Andalus. The Arabs, taking advantage of the course of the river Segura, created a complex network of irrigation channels that made the town prosperous and is the predecessor of the modern irrigation system. The Arab traveller Muhammad al-Idrisi described it in the 12th century as populous and strongly fortified. After the fall of the caliphate of Cordova, Murcia passed successively under the rule of Almería, Toledo and Seville. In 1172 it was taken by the Almohades, and from 1223 to 1243 it became the capital of an independent kingdom.

The Castilians, led by King Alfonso X, took it at the end of this period, when large numbers of immigrants from north Catalonia and Provence settled in the town; Catalan names are still not uncommon. In 1296, Murcia and its region were transferred to the Kingdom of Aragon, but in 1304, in virtue of the Treaty of Torrellas, it was finally incorporated into Castile.

Murcia flourished in the 18th century, mainly due to the boom of the silk industry. Many of its churches and monuments are from this period.

The town and surrounding area suffered badly from floods in 1651, 1879 and 1907, though the construction of a levee did much to keep the Segura within its own channel. A popular walkway, the Malecon, runs along the top of the levee.

Murcia was struck by an earthquake in 1829. According to contemporary accounts, some 6,000 people died in the province.

Murcia has been the capital of the province of Murcia since 1838, and capital of the autonomous community (which includes only the province) since its creation in 1982.

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Sights and Monuments

Image:Murcia Cathedral.jpg

The Cathedral of the Diocese of Cartagena was built between 1394 and 1465 in Castilian Gothic style. Its tower, only completed in 1792, shows a mixture of styles: the first two stories were built in Renaissance style (1521-1546), the third one is Baroque, and the bell pavilion has Rococo and Neoclassical influences. The main façade (1736-1754) is considered a masterpiece of the Spanish Baroque style.

Other noteworthy buildings in the square in front of the Cathedral (Plaza Cardenal Belluga) are the colourful Bishops palace (18th century) and a controversial extension to the town hall, by Rafael Moneo.

The Glorieta, next to the Segura river, has traditionally been the center of the town. This a pleasant landscaped square, built in the 18th-century. The Ayuntamiento (City Hall) is located here.

Pedestrian areas cover most of the old town, centered around Platería and Trapería Streets. Trapería goes from the Cathedral to the Plaza de Santo Domingo, the former market square. Located in Trapería is the Casino, a social club erected in 1847, with a sumptous interior that includes a Moorish-style patio inspired by the Alhambra royal rooms.

The Glorieta, with the Town Hall on the left

Plaza Cardenal Belluga (seen from the Cathedral)

Cathedral (detail)

Plaza de Santo Domingo

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Festivals

The Holy Week processions in the city of Murcia are famous throughout Spain. Life-sized sculptures by Francisco Salzillo (1707-1783) are taken out of museums and carried around the city in elegant processions full of flowers and, at night, candles. These finely detailed sculptures portray events leading up to and including the crucifixion. The Jewish Community, though small, celebrates both Hannukah and Passover in the Plaza Santo Domingo.

Possibly the most colourful celebrations are in the week after Holy Week, when Murcians celebrate Bando de la Huerta and the Burial of the Sardine

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Economy

Murcia serves as a major producer of agricultural products; for example, it is common to find tomatoes, lettuce, and, specially, lemons and oranges grown in Murcia in European supermarkets.

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Education

Murcia has two Universities: a public university, the University of Murcia, founded in 1912; and a Catholic University (Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia), founded in 1996.

Old University Building

Old University (cloister)

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People from Murcia

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Sport Teams

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External links

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Related subject links

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References

ca:Ciutat de Múrcia cs:Murcia de:Murcia (Stadt) et:Murcia es:Murcia eo:Murcio fa:مورسیا (شهر) fr:Murcie id:Murcia it:Murcia he:מורסיה (עיר) lad:Mursia nl:Murcia (stad) pl:Murcja (miasto) pt:Múrcia simple:Murcia fi:Murcia

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