Caravaca de la Cruz

This beautiful ancient 15th century town is not only picturesque but Caravaca de la Cruz is a Holy Town. In 1998 the Pope awarded Caravaca de la Cruz, making this town the fifth in the world, together with four other cities (Santiago de Compostela, Santo Toribio de Liébana, Roma and Jerusalem), to be allowed to celebrate the Perpetual Jubilee.

Caravaca de la Cruz is a town located on the border of Murcia and Granada. The Iberians, Romans and Muslims all passed through this town, which has developed around its Castle, built in the 15th century and commissioned by the Knights Templar. However, Caravaca is essentially the holy town, the town of the cross that carries its name.

According to legend, in 1232 the Moorish King Abu Zeid was converted to Christianity when he saw how two angels brought a cross down from heaven to a priest held prisoner in the castle in order for him to give mass. This legend led to the construction, as from 1617 and on the site of the fortress itself, of the main monument of this town in the north-east of Murcia, the Chapel of La Vera Cruz.

The most important feature of this building is its luxurious façade, made from red marble excavated in Cehegín and which offers a complete exaltation to the Holy Cross.

Visit The Templar Town of Caravaca de la Cruz

May 1st - 5th

Festivities Honouring The Holy And True Cross of Caravaca

Every year, thousands of visitors go to Caravaca with the sole aim of having a good time and participating in this celebration, held from 1st to 5th May, which include two unique shows: the festivities of Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) and the Caballos del Vino (Wine Horses).

The festivity of Moros y Cristianos commemorates the fights which took place in the Middle Ages, at the time in which the Murcian town was a border area with the Reino Nazarí of Granada. “Kábilas” (places of Moorish side) and Christian groups walk in file with sultans and kings, wearing their best costumes and making people getting up from their seats at the rhythm of spectacular Moorish marches and amazing choreographies

The thundering sound of the galloping horses, the beauty of the embroidered robes, the music, and of thousands of people dressed in white and red, make that the whole city changes.

CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ
Más info en:caravacaenfiestas.com/