Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia)

Caravaca de la Cruz Travel Guide

 

Coat of arms of Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia)

Caravaca de la Cruz
 
 
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Coordinates: 38.1075°, -1.86°

Distance to Murcia: 74 km

Elevation: 625 m

Population: 25,756 inhabitants (2023)

Demonym: Caravaqueño (a) / Cruceño (a)
 

Its most remote origins are found in the “Cerro del Castillo”, where various cultures have settled since prehistory.

After the Muslim invasion, Caravaca de la Cruz was able to remain a Christian settlement in the middle of the territory occupied by the Arabs; this independence ended during the reign of Abderraman II. It is considered, together with Assisi, Avila, Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, Santo Toribio de Liebana and Valencia, one of the eight holy cities for Christianity.

Its fauna and flora deserve to be considered a special space for protection and conservation. Furthermore, its historical heritage is rich in architecture and religiosity. Its historic centre and its churches, such as the Vera Cruz Sanctuary, the Incarnation Sanctuary, and the Solitude Church, are among the most representative of its valuable heritage.

In addition to its Christian relic and its beautiful old town, of medieval origin, Caravaca de la Cruz is world-renowned for its patron saint festivities, which were declared in 2004 as Festivals of International Tourist Interest, highlighting the celebration of the “Horses of Wine”, which aspires to be declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
 
 
Location


  Localities in the Noroeste region