Neoclassic Murcia Art Route

The Napoleonic invasion, the fall of Absolutism, the loss of the last Spanish colonies, the emergence of Constitutionalism and Liberalism and the independence movement of Cartagena make the XIX century a time of changes and reforms.,

In Murcia the Shirne de los Peligros, shirine dedicated to the virgin of the dangers, is put up by the Puente Viejo. Several important civil cinstructions were undertaken such as the City Hall by Juan José Belmonte who added a front with four Cotinthian Columns in a very classical taste to the balcony on the first floor. The Victoria Hotel at one time the most important hotels in the city, where artists bullfighters and other illustrious visitors stayed when they visited Murcia.

Finally the Condomina bullring opened in 1887 by architect Justo Millan. The Murcian arena detaches itself from the then popular neomudejar style in Spain. In this case the architect opens the way to a rather eclectic style, with different kinds of windows in different sections. For this reason the designer became famous and would get many other contratcts.

The façade of the only theatre in the city belongs to the same style. The Julian Romea Theatre built in 1862 has charming Italian style stalls.

The Casino an emblematic building in the city was a long lasting project in which several architects took part for almost 50 years. It was founded in 1847 and initially laid out around what we know today as the Ponpeian Patio and Dancing Hall, a real neo baroque jewel, withness of social changes in the city for almost a century. The hall shows fresco paintings on the ceiling about Music, Sculpture, Painting, and Architecture.

There are also four large medallions with as many illustrious Murcians, like Francisco Salzillo, Julian Romea, the count of Floridablanca, and the painter Villacis. The five chandeliers in the hall have more than 300 lights bulbs and crystal pieces of eight different sorts.

In 1902 the board of directors of the Casino Society purchased some adjacent plots of land and under orders from Pedro Cerdán the long yearned for extension to calle Traperia was begun.

The façade erected in this crowded street is a superb monument to Eclecticism with two large windows from which to peer in and out of in one´s spare time. Both the library and the wonderful ladies room with a painting on the ceiling dedicated to the goddess Selene in 1922 were accommodated into the new wing.

Also from the start of the XX century is the palace built in calle Ceballos by order of José Moñino count of Floridablanca. A prototype of sober and bare architecture typical of classicism and covered with pumpkin coloured plaster.

In cartagena the bombardments after the local independentist revolt made it necessary to refurbish both streets and buildings. New works appeared this way, such as the Pedreño palace, with an eclectic façade and a notable white marble staircase and a dancing hall on the inside;the main office of the Sociedad de Amogos del País founded in 1833; the house and palace of Pascual Riquelme and the Iglesia de la Caridad, the first construction in the Region to boast of an internal metallic structure. Its large dome has stained glass in the gaps. The city opened up to the sea with the new Alfonso XII promenade, officially opened by the monarch himself between the old wall and the sea. New barracks appeared; those of the Guardiamarinas by the Muralla del Mar and with Dorian olumns and ample balustraded balconies.

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