The northwest

The area up in the northe west would only need the Mediterranean to encompass the whole variety of landscapes in the region of Murcia.

It is traversed by the revirs Segura, Quipar, Argos and Mula and across its 3000kms it is possible to move from near wilderness to cereal fields and vineyards and from ricefields to the largest woodland reserve in the Region.

The history of the area goes back to the paleolithic; here you may also comtemplate the remains of an important RomanVisigoth city.

The modern towns are the result of the Arab presence, which remained in this territory until the 13th century. After this period there was a time of splendour under the rule of the military orders of the knights of Santiago and the knights Templar.

From now on we find a land full of low hills until we arrive at Cehegín. The cave paintings at the cuevas de Peñarrubia signal the location of the ancient settlements in the area. But it is right in the middle of the huerta that we find the most significant site: the city of Begastri a Roman settlement surrounded by three walls, which after the fall of the Empire became the episopal capital of Visigoth Spain.

We may start our visit at constitution square on the highest part of the town. Here lies the church of la Magdalena with an Herrera style dome and the palace of los Fajardo. The square hangs over the large meadow around the river Argos and dominates the colourfull labyrinth of the old quarter declared Conjunto Historico Artístico. Several manor houses show their coats of arms along the Calle Mayor and specially the hospital of la real piedad, we may gain access from here to yet another hill, on whose top lies the church of la Concepcion with its interesting Mudejar panelling.

ANOTHER LANDSCAPES IN MURCIA: