Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Officially twinned with Miami, Murcia is the antithesis of the city of vice; it's a laid-
back provincial capital that comes alive during the weekend
paseo
(stroll). By-
passed by most tourists and treated as a country cousin by too many Spaniards,
the city nevertheless merits a visit. Head for the river, the cathedral and the sur-
rounding pedestrian streets.
Sights
CATEDRAL DE SANTA MARÍA
(Plaza del Cardinal Belluga; 7am-1pm & 5-8pm)
Murcia's cathedral was
built in 1394 on the site of a mosque. The initial Gothic architecture was given a
playful baroque facelift in 1748. The 15th-century Capilla de los Vélez is a highlight;
the chapel's flutes and curls resemble piped icing. The
Museo de la Catedral
(ad-
mission free; 10am-12.30pm & 5-8pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun)
displays religious
artefacts, but is most striking for the excavations on display: the remains of an 11th-
century Moorish dwelling and of a small
mezquita
(mosque), visible below a glass
walkway.
Cathedral
MUSEO DE BELLAS ARTES
(Calle del Obispo Frutos 12; 10am-8.30pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun)
An in-
viting, light gallery devoted to Spanish artists. The 2nd- floor Siglo de Oro gallery in-
cludes canvases by Murillo, Zurbarán and 'Lo Spagnoletto', José (Jusepe) de Rib-
era. For a break from all that religious piety, don't miss the superbly kitsch dazzle of
glamorous
señoritas
on the 3rd floor.
Art Gallery
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