Alcantarilla lies on the main route to Andelusia, just 7 kilometres from the capital, and offers the contrast of an obviously industrial town which is in love with its own traditions. Roman, Arabic and Christian, Alcantarilla is a cultural melting pot where the crossbreeding of all the cultures who have lived here is still evident even today after several centuries have gone by.
The mediaeval settlement was first established on the road to La Ñora. It appears in the records in 1266 as the property of Aben Hud, passing on soon after to the ownership of Queen Violante, the wife of Alphonse X. One of the many floods caused by the River Segura bursting its banks forced the inhabitants to change its original position and move it to higher ground. The expulsion of the Moors limited its agricultural growth at first, but it soon managed to recover. In the 19th century, with the abolition of the feudal estates, it gained independence as a borough. Today Alcantarilla is a town open to progress with a strong industrial foundation, as can be seen by the fact that it shares, with Murcia capital, the largest industrial estate in Spain. The extension of its borough boundary in 1987 has given it new hope for the future.
The hard work of its inhabitants does not deprive them of time for festivals and celebrations. The parades and processions light up the old centre of the town with rich images and the colourful clothing of their penitents. The Festival of their Patron, in honour of the Virgin of Health, has also received due recognition, having been granted the qualification of "Regional Tourist Interest", and is celebrated every May.As a result of a deep cultural curiosity, the "Jara Carrillo" International Literary Contest, dedicated to the brilliant local writer and journalist, now takes place here and is truly international with participants who come from the five continents.
The tourist who comes here will enjoy their visit to the Ethnological Museum of the Huerta of Murcia, which is located in a setting formed by the presence of the Alquibla, Daba and Turbedal irrigation canals. The museum and its grounds display costumes, utensils, pottery and other types of typical objects from the Huerta (the fruit and vegetable-growing area which surrounds Murcia) in several rooms indoors, while outside the irrigation system with its drainage ditches and irrigation channels, the market gardens and orchards, typical huts and cottages, and last but not least, the water wheel, are all on show. The original water wheel, which dates back to the 15th century, was used to water the countryside by way of a viaduct. The present one, from the 19th century, has been declared an Artistic Historical Monument and measures 11 metres in diameter, is 1.9 metres wide, and stands 8 metres above the surface of the water. Right opposite this museum which takes us back to ancient times and customs, can be found the hermitage of the Virgin of Health, the patron saint of the town. Another place of interest is the House of the Cayitas, a manor house which was built at the end of the 17th century and which for decades was home to the regional court of the Inquisition. The churches of San Roque and of Our Lady of Assumption are also worth a visit. On the way out of the town is the small bridge which originally gave the town its name.
Turismo todo el año
Alcantarilla is located just 5 miles away from Murcia. This town, famous for its "huerta" (vegetable garden), is a perfect combination of tradition and innovation and was settled by Iberians, Romans, Arabs and Christians.
The Ethnological Museum of the Murcian huerta is surrounded by ancient gardens and is the meeting point of the Alquibla, Daba and Turbedal canals. This museum, declared National Historical-Artistic Monument, represents how ancient market gardeners' life was with an exhibition of costumes, tools, pottery, hydraulic system and even a traditional "barraca", which is the typical old home of the huerta.
The Alcantarilla and Arcos Wheel, also known as La Noria (the Waterwheel), is the most emblematic symbol of the huerta and the last part of the visit to the Ethnological Museum. This waterwheel, declared Historical-Artistic Monument, was built in the 19th century and has an 11 metres diameter. You will be amazed by the majestic presence of this hydraulic system, which is still working at full capacity and whose original version was built by Arabs in the 15th century .
Behold this impressive Aqueduct from the 16th century. Today, 22 arches remain, and it is still used for irrigation. It is located in the magnificent setting of the Aqueduct Park, which spans over 43,000 square meters. The park includes a children's playground of more than 1,000 square meters, designed in the shape of a medieval castle with a six-meter-tall tower, a skate park, and a calisthenics area. It's a must-see that you shouldn't miss
The Calle Mayor is the main street of the town. There are a lot of shops affordable for everyone and a wonderful environment, which means that if you love shopping, this will be an alluring choice to enjoy your free time.
A total of more than 50 works by national and international artists are part of the urban art route in Alcantarilla, including a mural by the English artist Dale Grimshaw, nominated for the best graffiti in the world by the Street Art Cities urban art community. The works decorate the facades of public buildings, such as the Children's School or the Ángel Sornichero Sports Center, as well as streets and squares in the city, such as Plaza Pepe de la Pequeña, Jardín de Campoamor, Calle Mayor, Plaza Cayitas, and Calle Matemático Férez, near the San Pedro market square
During this time, devotion fills the streets of Alcantarilla with culture and religious imagery from the churches of Saint Peter and Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of Assumption). Women have a special role because this is one of the few places in Spain where a float is carried only by females. This Holy Week, declared of Regional Tourist Interest, is one of the oldest in the region and its processions date back to the 16th century.
In the second week of May, Alcantarilla goes outside to enjoy the happiest and most awaited days of the year, Patron Saint's festival of the Virgen de la Salud (Virgin of Health), declared of Regional Tourist Interest. This festival offers a wide variety of acts ranging from the Trial and Burning of the Witch, to parades, big concerts, entertainment, humour shows, folklore and tango. From then on, never-ending fun is guaranteed.
You should go out to have lunch, dinner or tapas in the areas of Adolfo Suárez, Campoamor, Constitución, San Pedro or Cayitas, and discover the wide variety of local, creative and Mediterranean cuisine. All these places are a stone's throw away and offer a nice atmosphere. Choose between an exclusive restaurant with outdoor terrace and an archetypal pub... It's up to you!
Do you want to see how cosy and fun can Alcantarilla be at Christmas? Well, then there's only one option: come and see. Cultural activities, shows, the Cavalcade of Magi and the most typical dishes are waiting for you. Be sure to taste the "tortas de recao", made with egg, flour and anise, with a hole filled with honey. No diets at Christmas!
Bicycles are perfect for all the seasons of the year! The Vía Amable, connecting Alcantarilla and Murcia, offers a sustainable and entertaining way to know the environmental, cultural and landscape wealth of the huerta of Murcia. Enjoy riding the bike and forget about the traffic hazards because this path has fewer vehicles than conventional roads and the maximum speed is 30 km/h. Just follow the course of the river... but, always at your own pace!
The Ethnological Museum of the Murcian huerta is surrounded by ancient gardens and is the meeting point of the Alquibla, Daba and Turbedal canals. This museum, declared National Historical-Artistic Monument, represents how ancient market gardeners' life was with an exhibition of costumes, tools, pottery, hydraulic system and even a traditional "barraca", which is the typical old home of the huerta.
The Alcantarilla and Arcos Wheel, also known as La Noria (the Waterwheel), is the most emblematic symbol of the huerta and the last part of the visit to the Ethnological Museum. This waterwheel, declared Historical-Artistic Monument, was built in the 19th century and has an 11 metres diameter. You will be amazed by the majestic presence of this hydraulic system, which is still working at full capacity and whose original version was built by Arabs in the 15th century .
Behold this impressive Aqueduct from the 16th century. Today, 22 arches remain, and it is still used for irrigation. It is located in the magnificent setting of the Aqueduct Park, which spans over 43,000 square meters. The park includes a children's playground of more than 1,000 square meters, designed in the shape of a medieval castle with a six-meter-tall tower, a skate park, and a calisthenics area. It's a must-see that you shouldn't miss
The Calle Mayor is the main street of the town. There are a lot of shops affordable for everyone and a wonderful environment, which means that if you love shopping, this will be an alluring choice to enjoy your free time.
A total of more than 50 works by national and international artists are part of the urban art route in Alcantarilla, including a mural by the English artist Dale Grimshaw, nominated for the best graffiti in the world by the Street Art Cities urban art community. The works decorate the facades of public buildings, such as the Children's School or the Ángel Sornichero Sports Center, as well as streets and squares in the city, such as Plaza Pepe de la Pequeña, Jardín de Campoamor, Calle Mayor, Plaza Cayitas, and Calle Matemático Férez, near the San Pedro market square
During this time, devotion fills the streets of Alcantarilla with culture and religious imagery from the churches of Saint Peter and Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of Assumption). Women have a special role because this is one of the few places in Spain where a float is carried only by females. This Holy Week, declared of Regional Tourist Interest, is one of the oldest in the region and its processions date back to the 16th century.
In the second week of May, Alcantarilla goes outside to enjoy the happiest and most awaited days of the year, Patron Saint's festival of the Virgen de la Salud (Virgin of Health), declared of Regional Tourist Interest. This festival offers a wide variety of acts ranging from the Trial and Burning of the Witch, to parades, big concerts, entertainment, humour shows, folklore and tango. From then on, never-ending fun is guaranteed.
You should go out to have lunch, dinner or tapas in the areas of Adolfo Suárez, Campoamor, Constitución, San Pedro or Cayitas, and discover the wide variety of local, creative and Mediterranean cuisine. All these places are a stone's throw away and offer a nice atmosphere. Choose between an exclusive restaurant with outdoor terrace and an archetypal pub... It's up to you!
Do you want to see how cosy and fun can Alcantarilla be at Christmas? Well, then there's only one option: come and see. Cultural activities, shows, the Cavalcade of Magi and the most typical dishes are waiting for you. Be sure to taste the "tortas de recao", made with egg, flour and anise, with a hole filled with honey. No diets at Christmas!
Bicycles are perfect for all the seasons of the year! The Vía Amable, connecting Alcantarilla and Murcia, offers a sustainable and entertaining way to know the environmental, cultural and landscape wealth of the huerta of Murcia. Enjoy riding the bike and forget about the traffic hazards because this path has fewer vehicles than conventional roads and the maximum speed is 30 km/h. Just follow the course of the river... but, always at your own pace!
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