In 2010, Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia) is celebrating its Jubilee Year. Since 1998 this has been one of the five cities in the world together with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago and Santo Toribio de Liébana where the permanent Jubilee Year is held every seven years. And this is all thanks to the presence in this area of the Santísima Vera Cruz, a “Lignum Crucis” or fragment of the wood used for the cross on which Christ was crucified, housed in a reliquary in the shape of a crucifix. Throughout this year, thousands of pilgrims will come to Caravaca to obtain plenary indulgence. It is also a unique opportunity to discover the town's cultural heritage, with monuments such as the shrine of the Real Alcázar de la Vera Cruz, home to the relic of the Santísima Vera Cruz. This is the ideal way to enjoy an experience which is both religious and cultural at the same time.
To the northwest of the province of Murcia is the town of Caravaca de la Cruz. Among the houses spread around the castle there are fine examples of Murcia's Renaissance architecture. The area occupied by Caravaca was previously inhabited by the Iberian and Roman Argaric peoples, but the origins of its current appearance are to be found in Arab domination. After the Christian Reconquest, these territories came to be governed by the Order of the Temple and later by the Order of Santiago. In this age, during the 16th and 17th century, Caravaca enjoyed its period of greatest splendour since it became the political centre of a vast territory. This town therefore has a great many historic buildings, the product of its former importance.
One of the main features is its castle, which rises above the houses of Caravaca. Of Muslim origin, it was extended in the 15th century by the Knights Templars and later passed into the hands of the Order of Santiago. Fourteen towers guard the Sanctuary of the Santísima y Vera Cruz, which was built inside in the 17th century. The façade, which was added a century later, is in the baroque style. The whole site has Historic-Artistic Heritage status and houses the Museum of Religious Art and History. Among its most outstanding pieces are the adornments of the Caballos del Vino (wine horses). These horses, lavishly harnessed, are the centre of attention during the Festivals of Santísima y Vera Cruz, declared to be of National Tourist Interest.
A religious building considered to be a crowning work of Murcia's Renaissance architecture is also located in Caravaca. It is the church of Salvador, which has been declared to be a Historic-Artistic Site. Completing the cultural tour of the city are the church of La Soledad, today the Archaeological Museum; the Carmelite convent, founded by San Juan de la Cruz; and the Purísima Concepción, built in the 16th century on the site of old church of the Knights Hospitaller of San Juan de Letrán. Renaissance in style, inside it has beautiful Mudejar coffered ceilings and baroque reredos.
One of the main features is its castle, which rises above the houses of Caravaca. Of Muslim origin, it was extended in the 15th century by the Knights Templars and later passed into the hands of the Order of Santiago. Fourteen towers guard the Sanctuary of the Santísima y Vera Cruz, which was built inside in the 17th century. The façade, which was added a century later, is in the baroque style. The whole site has Historic-Artistic Heritage status and houses the Museum of Religious Art and History. Among its most outstanding pieces are the adornments of the Caballos del Vino (wine horses). These horses, lavishly harnessed, are the centre of attention during the Festivals of Santísima y Vera Cruz, declared to be of National Tourist Interest.
A religious building considered to be a crowning work of Murcia's Renaissance architecture is also located in Caravaca. It is the church of Salvador, which has been declared to be a Historic-Artistic Site. Completing the cultural tour of the city are the church of La Soledad, today the Archaeological Museum; the Carmelite convent, founded by San Juan de la Cruz; and the Purísima Concepción, built in the 16th century on the site of old church of the Knights Hospitaller of San Juan de Letrán. Renaissance in style, inside it has beautiful Mudejar coffered ceilings and baroque reredos.
Local transport by bus or train is available, but if you want to see something of the beautiful places around Murcia and Caravaca you really want to have a car. Murcia car hire companies offer car pick up and drop at Murcia airport which you would like to have. It is not advisable to come to Murcia during the summer period, without a car reservation in hand. At Alicante airport you can rent a car.
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