Caravaca de al Cruz - Murcia Province

An ancient town with many interesting historical buildings

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.
Caravaca de la Cruz is a now a modern city that has flourishing industrial and agricultural developments. The new national road and the declaration of the locality as "City Santa" has helped the growth in the tourist sector.
town hall

The area occupied by Caravaca was previously inhabited by the Iberian and Romans, but the origins of its current population are to be found in Arab domination. After the Christian Re-conquest, 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 the castle of Muslim origin., which rises above the houses of Caravaca, It was extended in the 15th century by the Knights Templar 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 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 an 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.