ABOUT
Situated in its fertile valley some 30 miles from Murcia the town of Mula offers the visitor aged palaces and monuments displaying the wealth that the Marquis de los Vélez invested in safeguarding his position against the local populace when he erected his imposing castle, a magnificent 16th-century construction dominating the plain below and which gives he impression of having simply emerged from the very rocky outcrop on which it perches.HERITAGE
The town itself has a great deal of charm spreading out as it does from around the Plaza Mayor, in which the church of San Miguel is of note. Among the steep and winding lanes of the old quarter, in the upper part of the town is the church of Santo Domingo, with its renaissance façade and Baroque interior, and also one of the region's finest examples of monastic architecture , the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación. Evidence of human presence in Mula goes back to the Neolithic with finds from the Argar period and Iberian artefacts, now housed in the Museum of Iberian Art in Cigarralejo, one of the best in dealing with the Spanish Iron Age and situated in the Palacio de Menahermosa.Five kilometres outside the town in an idyllic setting are the famous spa baths, in use since Roman times, as well as through the Moorish period. These baths are highly acclaimed for aiding those suffering from rheumatic problems.
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Top 10
At 7 miles from Murcia and situated in a fertile valley, this small town of unique character is found. Mula fuses its Arab structure with noble mansions, a castle, palaces and monuments whose origin goes back to the time in which the Marquis of Los Vélez dominated these territories.
DRUMS AND DRUMROLLS
Every Holy Tuesday, at midnight, Mula hosts an acoustic earthquake that lasts without interruption until 4 pm the following day. This is the Noche de los Tambores (Night of the Drums). Everyone can participate in this festival, the only requirement is to dress in a black tunic and bring a percussion instrument. If you are lucky, you may be able to witness the Pángana, a spontaneous spectacle in which two drummers compete face to face to show who can endure the most or play the best.
FROM THE ENEOLITHIC TO THE IBERIANS
We encourage you to visit one of the most important rock sites of the Region, the Abrigo del Milano. The paintings that await you are more than 6,000 years old. As well as this it conserves a spectacular burial from the Eneolithic period. For its part, the Cigarralejo Museum is a reference point for the study of Iberian culture at a world level and it houses a collection of 80 grave goods from a nearby Iberian necropolis, as well as other pieces of ceramics, rock sculptures and armaments.
KEEP IT A SECRET
One of the best-kept secrets of Mula is the hidden Fuente Caputa natural area, where you will be able to enjoy a walk in the fresh air and a toning bath surrounded by nature. The path that leads to the last pond is easy and fun to take; you only have to follow the stream. The waters of these springs flow into the Pantano de la Cierva reservoir, another beautiful site to take a trip to.
HOUSES AND CASTLES
Emblem of the town, the Casa Pintada is a house-palace from 1770 and is currently a Contemporary Art Interpretation Centre where they have on show more than 150 pieces, among them sculptures and paintings of the famous artist from Mula, Cristóbal Gabarrón. For its part, the Los Vélez Castle that is situated in the highest part of the town, is one of its main attractions. Although you can't enter inside, from there you can see the whole valley, achieving some stunning views.
A STOP ALONG THE WAY
The beautiful area of El Niño, situated a few kilometres from Mula, has traditionally been a boarding house and a place of refreshment for travellers, for that reason it is a tradition to make a stop here along the way to alleviate hunger and tiredness. Close by, the Shrine of El Niño is found, a place of pilgrimage where apparently baby Jesus appeared to the shepherd Pedro Botía, who in that moment was driving his cattle through the El Balate area.
NORTHWEST RAIL TRAIL
This stretch of the rail trail goes from Los Baños de Mula to Bullas. You will have no problem following the path, since it is fully signposted and well conditioned for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The contrast between the scenery of the badlands, pine forests and lush orchards of lemon trees is simply incredible. Furthermore, to make your stay even more genuine you have the option of staying in the local hostels.
ROMAN LIFE
The Villaricos Old Roman Villa is one of the most important archaeological examples of the municipality of Mula. The site is divided into a residential area, with hot springs and domestic spaces, and another of work, in which they have preserved the remains of the oil mills for the production of wine and oil.
CRAFT AND TRADITION
The Handicrafts Market of El Portón de la Placeta takes places on the second Sunday of each month, except for in June, July and August, where the best craftsmen of the region come together to offer various products from forge and esparto grass tools to wooden objects, cold meat bread, sweets, pottery, carpets, cheeses and crafts. Here it is possible to see live artisan demonstrations, try typical products and take part in the activities and entertainment.
A FAIRY TALE LANSCAPE
Another one of the top experiences of Mula is the flowering of the almond tree, in the Umbría of Sierra Espuña Regional Park. It is best to go to this spectacle in February in the vicinity of the district of Casas Nuevas, which has the highest density of almond trees of the Region. There you will take a walk along a sea of white and pink petals whose sparkle announces the end of winter and that, together with the green of the Umbría, form the skin of carpeted scenery like from a fairy tail.
ROYAL MONASTERY
In the old part of Mula, in the high part of the town, stands the Royal Monastery of La Encarnación raised on a 16th Century Hermitage where only the bell tower remains. The building, that is considered one of the architectural jewels of Mula, has a cloister of a squared two-bodied floor that gives access to the different rooms of the congregation of Order of Santa Clara.
WINE ROUTE BULLAS
Mula
Ahora y siempre
