A Brief Guide to Murcia
On the south east coast of Spain, between Andalucia and Valencia, you find the autonomous region known as Murcia, a name also taken by the principal city of the region. The region stretches to the Mediterranean's Costa Calida and encompasses the delightful Mar Menor, the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. The Murcia region is about half the size of Wales and has population of around 1.3 million, one third of which lives in and around the city of Murcia. The north and west of the region is mountain country, sloping down to the central and coastal plains, which feature extensive beaches and warm shallow waters. Much of Spain's fruit and vegetable crop is grown on the fertile plain surrounding the river Segura. Murcia's proximity to the Mediterranean gives it a warm climate, ranging from an average of 11 degrees C in winter to 34 degrees C in the summer, reaching at times into the 40s. Sunshine is the norm here and some 300 days of sun are experienced each year.
Travel into Murcia is made easy by two international airports, Alicante at 9 million passengers per year, and Murcia/St.Javier which is about a third that size. By 2009 there will be a third airport in Corvera, which will make access to the city of Murcia and the west of the region easier still. On the ground there is the option of the high speed train link to Madrid and the Valencia region, plus a network of modern motorways connecting all the main centres of population. Right across the region, Murcia is accessible.
© iStockphoto - Garnham Photography
The city of Murcia has its origins in the 9th century rule of the Arabic Abderraman II and elements of Moorish architecture from that period can be found in the city today, along with examples from many other periods. For much if its history Murcia has been subject to struggle for political control, including a period of independence around the 11th century. The 13th century saw control taken by government from central Spain, leading to changes including the conversion of all 20 resident mosques into churches. Under this new government the city of Murcia prospered, mostly on the strength of the flourishing silk and agricultural industries.
By the 18th century Murcia was one of Spain's architectural treasures, dotted with elaborate urban palaces, churches, and its magnificent baroque cathedral. At the peak of Murcia's popularity amongst the rising bourgeoisie disaster struck. Beginning with the sacking and looting of the city by Napoleonic troops in 1810, Murcia fell into gradual decline until modern times where considerable investment has revitalised the area.
© iStockphoto - HendrikDB
The people of Murcia have a reputation for friendliness and have welcomed the influx of tourists and overseas residents. Because Murcia has remained isolated from the commercialisation of much of the rest of Spain's tourist areas, it is still possible to experience a feel of genuine Spanish culture and rural life. The native Spanish is the modern Castillan, widely taught as standard Spanish, but English is widely spoken both by the indigenous population and by the many English and other nationalities who have taken up residence in the region.
Being primarily a horticultural region, Murcia has been largely unaffected by the large scale property development which has overwhelmed some other tourist areas of Spain. However, this has begun to change with controlled development being permitted and greatly encouraged by significant regional government investment in transport and service infrastructures. Those who choose buy property in Murcia, as an investment, permanent residence or as a holiday home, will be the beneficiaries of lessons learned from mistakes elsewhere in Spain.