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Caravaca de la Cruz Today

Caravaca de la Cruz tourist information

Caravaca de la Cruz, in the North-west of the Region of Murcia, is one of only 5 Holy Cities in the 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 Jubilee Year every 7 years for perpetuity. The first was held in 2003 and the next one is 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 site has yielded remains of Homo Heidelbergensis, forebears of the Neanderthals, and the municipality also houses important archaeological remains from the Argaric, Iberian and Roman cultures.

Caravaca de la Cruz As a border town caught between the Catholic forces of Castille and the last remaining Moorish kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula, 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. Today religious tourism is a backbone of the town's economy.

The municipality also has important natural resources, including extensive forests, some of which have protected status due to their wealth of flora and fauna, and due to the abundant water supply it is also a major area for canned fruit production, apricots in particular being an important crop.

Caravaca is renowned for its 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

It is also home to 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.

Where is Caravaca de la Cruz?

The municipality is home to around 26,000 inhabitants and shares boundaries with Moratalla, Cehegín, Lorca and the provinces of Granada and Almería.

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Tourist Information Caravaca Jubilee Year 2024 Monuments and Museums The Año Santo or Holy Year Whats On Caravaca de la Cruz Churches and Hours of service History of Caravaca de la Cruz Caravaca de la Cruz Local News and Community Info Parking and arriving in Caravaca Cultural and Community Venues Police, Town Hall, Useful Numbers Fiestas, Traditions, Wine Horses Property Medical Information and Doctors Where To Eat Markets and shopping

CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

New pilgrimage and walking route from Guadix to Caravaca de la Cruz presented as the Holy Jubilee year in Caravaca approachesThe 322-kilometre route runs from close to Granada to the holy city of Caravaca As the start of the 2024 Holy Jubilee year in Caravaca de la Cruz nears, a new route for walkers and pilgrims has been unveiled covering a distance of 322 kilometres as it.. 19/09/2023

Ascent of the Collado de la Cruz in Caravaca signalled to attract cycling touristsA stage of the Vuelta a España finishes on the Collado de la Cruz on September 3 The road which climbs to the Collado de la Cruz in Caravaca, a popular one with cyclists and the finishing point of the Tour of Spain stage which ends in Caravaca.. 29/08/2023

5 days out with a difference in the Region of Murcia!Treasures not far from the beaches of the Costa Cálida, selected by the Murcia tourist board We all know that the most common reasons for visiting the Costa Cálida are the warm climate, the fabulous beaches and the clear waters of the Mediterranean.. 29/05/2023

Traditional festive confectionary in the Region of MurciaThe taste of Christmas in the Costa Cálida Christmas sweets are as much a part of the festive season in the Costa Cálida as the tree, the presents, Midnight Mass, the sound of sleigh bells and “Love Actually” on the TV, and while..

Suggestions for rural tourism over Christmas and the New Year in the Region of MurciaInland destinations to get away from it all and enjoy a “real” Christmas in the Costa Cálida! It goes without saying that the towns and cities of the Costa Cálida are full of hustle and bustle over the Christmas season, but for those..

October 7 90-kilometre ultra-running endurance race to Caravaca de la CruzThe pre-jubilee year event in Caravaca also features marathon and half-marathon As the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz prepares for its next 7-yearly Holy Jubilee year in 2024, one of the events leading up to the expected boom in religious and walking tourism..

October 11 to 15 International Potholing and Caving Camp in Caravaca de la Cruz300 caving enthusiasts gather in Caravaca to explore underground cavities in Murcia Over 300 potholers and caving enthusiasts will be descending on – and quite literally into – the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz in the north-west of the Region..

December 15 to 31 Exhibition of paintings by Zacarías Cerezo showing the pilgrimage route to Caravaca de la Cruz125 paintings are included in the Andar Para Pintarlo exhibition at the Círculo Mercantil in Caravaca As Caravaca de la Cruz prepares for the influx of tourists, hikers and pilgrims making their way to the city in 2024 to commemorate the Holy Jubilee..

Casa Museo de Los Caballos del Vino Caravaca de la CruzA chance to see the incredible embroideries of the Running of the Wine Horses up close If you’re in the Region of Murcia on May 2 then take the opportunity to witness one of the most memorable and unique fiestas to be seen anywhere in Spain and..

Leroy Merlin stores in the Region of Murcia: huge range of home, garden and DIY products Everything you need to create your perfect home Leroy Merlin is one of the Region of Murcia’s top suppliers of home, garden and DIY products. With items ranging from garden sheds and power tools to bathroom furniture and air-conditioning, you&rsquo..

The Cueva negra of Caravaca de la Cruz video Spanish original, but gives an interesting perspective of the Cueva Negra in Caravaca de la Cruz! 25/03/2020

The Glorieta or Calle Corredera, the main tree-lined avenue in Caravaca de la Cruz The Glorieta, or Calle Corredera, runs from the Templete to the Convento del Carmen in Caravaca The Glorieta is the name commonly given to Calle Corredera, the wide tree-lined avenue which leads from the Templete to the Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz along..

Recinto Ferial Caravaca de la CruzThis area is used for concerts and fiesta events The Recinto Ferial in Caravaca de la Cruz is located below the sports ground of the Colegio del Salvador and sports pavilion. It is used for larger open-air events, concerts, as the location for the fairground..

Tourist Information Office Caravaca de la Cruz Oficina de Turismo de Caravaca de la Cruz The main tourist information office in Caravaca de la Cruz is located near to the Museo de la Fiesta, although a second tourist office is open during the Holy Year, along with additional tourist information..

Mass times in Caravaca de la Cruz How to find the times of religious services in the Holy City of Caravaca de la Cruz Mass times for services in the Holy City can be found using the search mechanism provided by the Cartagena Diocese. Click hours of mass Steps: Select Todas las parroquias..

The Vera Cruz, the True Cross of Caravaca de la Cruz The holy relic of Caravaca has defined the history and development of the city The Cross of Caravaca represents many things to many people, and since the Middle Ages it has come to define the nature of the city in which it appeared and is kept. For some..