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Fiestas Caravaca de la Cruz

From May 1 to 5

 
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Caravaca de la Cruz parades and gallops from May 1st to May 5th celebrating one of the most outstanding fiestas of the year, the fiestas of the Santísima y Vera Cruz. Its declaration as International Tourist Interest is absolutely justified. For five days of uninterrupted entertainment, the locality is bursting with vitality, visitors and the desire of having fun. The fights between Moors and Christians, the border skirmishes with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada and the feat of a group of templar knights are the outline of these festivities.

FIESTAS DE CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

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LOS CABALLOS DEL VINO (WINE HORSES)

The beginning of the fiestas is on April 30th with the Noche de las Migas (Night of the Breadcrumbs). Streets are crowded with charanga bands, batucadas (music events consisting of a group of percussion instruments) and the colouring of the peñas migueras, groups of people meeting to cook this typical dish made of breadcrumbs, garlic, sardines and sausages, that later get together in Plaza del Hoyo to choose the best migas. On May 1st there are very popular events such as the Flower Offering, the Contest of Bareback Horses and the Exhibition of Capes, real pieces of art woven with silk and silver and gold threads that will decorate horses the following day.

In the morning of May 2nd Caravaca celebrates the Caballos del Vino (Wine Horses), the big day of the fiestas. The only requirement for not being out of tone is to wear a red shawl, a white shirt and to bear in mind that you're going to attend one of the most deafening fiestas of Spain.

Hundreds of thousands of people meet together to live in direct the legendary race. Everything happens in the blink of an eye. Four lads run next to each horse in an intense gallop that finishes at the open area of the Castle. This race recalls an incredible event that happened 700 years ago. According to legend, when the Muslims besieged the castle of the sacred city, a group of templars was able to break the siege, introduce saddlebags full of wine with the aid of their horses and prevent the population from dying because of the poisoned water that the enemies had used to contaminate tanks.

MOORS AND CHRISTIANS

The fiestas of Moors and Christians of Caravaca are the remembrance of the struggles and raids suffered by this territory during the Middle Ages. Unlike other places, besides the classic parades of Kabyles and Christian groups, the show includes historical representations as mock battles and flag captures.

On May 3rd, you can't miss the procession that goes through the streets of the old town, from the Iglesia del Salvador (Saviour's Church) to the Temple. It is one of the most beautiful monuments of these fiestas, as well as the Parliament between the Moors and Christian kingdoms and Baño de la Cruz (Bathing of the Cross) in the baroque Shrine, a mass event of vast devotion.

On May 4th, the Grand Parade takes place, in which Moorish and Christians wear their best clothes raising the public of their tribunes to the rhythm of Moors and Christians marches. On May 5th, the Ascent Procession of the Holy Relic to the Basilica Sanctuary is the best culmination of these festivities.

Some things you won't forget

One of the most special things is to wake up on May 2nd at seven in the morning with the bell ringing and the strong thunders, already listening to the bells of the horses galloping in the streets. This day, wherever you look, you'll see it all in white and red.

  Something unique of these fiestas is the number of different environments that are displayed according to the event and the time of day. It doesn't seem the same city in the morning as when the sun sets, but yes, both the spectacular nature and the hospitality of the caravaqueños is assured at any moment.

Coexistence between peñas caballistas and their charanga bands and Moor Kabyles and Christian groups, who take the streets willing to fight, to draw their swords and broadswords and gain positions around their kings and sultans.

The flavour of migas ruleras, the cakes or desserts like the alfajor (sweet of almond, pinenuts, walnuts, bread crumbs, honey and spices) the famous yemas, delicacies made of egg yolk and sugar, coated by caramel or chocolate. To end up with a good digestion, it is traditional to try homemade drinks like sweet wine and coffee liquor.

 
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

Top 10

Caravaca de La Cruz is considered to be one of the five holy cities in the world, and a key destination for pilgrims and travellers alike who are looking for an inspiring, different and above all enjoyable place to go.

01
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

PILGRIMAGE

Don't leave until tomorrow what you could visit on a pilgrimage today. It's not every day you're lucky enough to visit one of the five cities in the world that celebrates the Jubileo Perpetuo. Caravaca's Basilica holds the Santísima and the Vera Cruz, worshiped since the 13th Century, which hold fragments of the cross upon which Christ died on inside. This is one of those special places where travellers come to from all over the world with an atmosphere worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.

02
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

SPECTACULAR FESTIVALS

If you're a party person, there are dates and places that you just cannot miss. The patronal festivals of Caravaca de la Cruz, declared of International Tourist Interest, are celebrated from the first until the fifth of May. The two highlights include Moros y Cristianos, and the Caballos Del Vino, which attracts thousands of people and whose spectacular sight exceeds all known limits. You need only watch the thundering horse race down the castle slope for this to be proven. If you don't want to stand out, don't forget to wear a red neck-scarf.

03
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

CUADRILLAS DE BARRANDA FESTIVAL

They say that in the small village of Barranda you will find the oldest tradition of folk music in the country, and this is demonstrated on the last Sunday of every January during La Fiesta de las Cuadrillas. Declared a festival of National Tourist Interest, this classic event between all the popular music festivals is capable of gathering thousands of people out onto the streets, turning the town into a huge outdoor stage in which singers, musicians and dancers show off their talent whilst, as always, accompanied by great food and wine.

04
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

A CHARMING SPOT

Located a little more than two kilometres from the inner city of Caravaca, one of the prettiest spots in the region awaits you, the Fuentes del Marqués. Here you will find natural springs of pure water, lots of wildlife and an undeniable charm to help you unwind. There is also an old Torreón Templario which according to legends served as an outpost to defend against the Muslims in the Middle Ages, and which now houses the Centro de Interpretación de la Naturaleza.

05
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

THE TRAIL OF ORIGINS

The first remains of Caravaca's settlements date back to the Palaeolithic era. From then on and up until now, many archaeology sites still serve as a testimony to Caravaca's past. Out of all of them, the must-see is the Archaeological Complex of La Encarnación, which holds prehistoric, Iberian, Roman and Medieval remains - a paradise for archaeology lovers.

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CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

MUSEUMS

At this rate, we suggest you have a break from all that walking and go visit one of the city's museums. One of the most original is the Música Étnica de Barranda Museum, where around 1,000 musical instruments from all eras and continents are exhibited. Located in a district with less than 900 inhabitants and built upon the remains of a 14th Century flour mill, this museum would be enjoyable in any capital city in the world. Other recommended stops are the Vera Cruz Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the and Fiesta Museum, the Carrilero Museum.

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CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

Caravaca has some of the best religious architecture in the whole Region of Murcia. A fabulous network of churches, convents and other places of worship form almost a labyrinth in which it would be easy to lose yourself... although to get lost in these narrow streets, plateaus and dead-end alleys would not be too bad. The Iglesia de la Soledad, the Iglesia del Salvador, the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the Templete, the Santa Clara monastery, the Santa Elena, San Sebastian, Reja chapels and the magnificent Santísima and Vera Cruz Basilica are all must-sees.

08
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

LA VÍA VERDE (THE GREEN PATHWAY)

If you like trekking or biking then we have good news for you. Here can also be found the former railway track that joined Caravaca with Murcia and is now more commonly known as Vía Verde, which everyone can enjoy. You will find a 78 km long natural walkway with 7 hostels along the way in case you need a rest or any refreshments. Caravaca also has a large number of smaller walking trails, Eco tourist pathways and diverse pilgrimage routes that that all join up here from different places all across Spain and the Region of Murcia. Are you ready to go?

09
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

MEDIEVAL MARKET

A must see for curious treasure seekers. On the third Sunday of each month the Peregrino Market is held, the best place to buy hand crafted and typical products of the area. If you're still looking for more, during La Constitución public holiday, a huge area of the old town is transformed and crowds of craftsmen come out onto the street to show off the fruits of their work, whilst demonstrations, food tasting, and fun performances take place for both the young and old.

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CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

A 10/10 GASTRONOMY

In this neck of the woods, you'll find typical dishes such as migas ruleras, stews and tartera, a lamb and potato roast accompanied by an aioli sauce. You'll also find an ample variety of typical rice dishes with rabbit, chicken, chickpeas, snails or cod. In terms of confectionary, it would be a real shame if you left without trying alfajor or the incredibly famous yemas -egg-yolk based sweets made with sugar, and smothered in caramel or chocolate. Even in the most holy of cities there's still room for temptation - they are just scrumptious! To digest all this food, guests traditionally try the house drinks such as la mistela and the licor café.

Top 10 Caravaca de la Cruz

01

PILGRIMAGE
02

SPECTACULAR FESTIVALS
03

CUADRILLAS DE BARRANDA FESTIVAL
04

A CHARMING SPOT
05

THE TRAIL OF ORIGINS
06

MUSEUMS
07

THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
08

LA VÍA VERDE (THE GREEN PATHWAY)
09

MEDIEVAL MARKET
10

A 10/10 GASTRONOMY
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