Cartagena and Murcia, Spain

This shows just a partial shoreline of the city of Cartagena, Spain.  Since our excursion took us 35 miles inland to the regional capital city of Murcia, I don't have anything to say about it.  

Spain is made up of 17 autonomous regions.  In 2017 it was the second most visited country in the world.  It is considered a full democracy and at the same time is a constitutional monarchy.  Following Italy and China, it is the country in the world with the 3rd most UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  It is the country of Picasso and Cervantes.  Hannibal headed to Rome across the Alps from this region of Spain.  It is warm and sunny and reminds me of my childhood in California.  

On our bus ride from Cartagena to Murcia, our guide told us about the agriculture in this region of Spain.  He claimed that the technique of drip irrigation originated in this dry area and allows growing of lettuce, artichokes, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, melons, oranges, lemons, peaches, apricots, wheat, barley, rice, olives, and almonds.

The bronze sculpture of a sardine in the Segura River is in commemoration of the "Burial of the Sardine" three day festival held annually the first weekend after Holy Week.  It originated in 1850 when some students were so tired of eating sardines during Lent they decided to have a festival and procession to symbolically bury the sardine.  The parade is complete with competing floats, a King and Queen and treats thrown to the crowd.  The evening ends by burning giant sardines, then fireworks.  

Murcia is also known at "The City of Flowers".  It was so nice to see such beautiful floral displays in this very clean and well kept city.  I think all of us on this trip have been so happy to see such places of beauty which are in such contrast to the many developing areas we've seen where disarray and decay are so prominent.  

And to be expected, our tour specifically focused on what is felt to be the most beautiful places the city has to offer.  We went to see the Real Casino de Murcia which is not a place for gambling but a gentleman's club and museum.  It is the result of remodeling and expanding a palace originally built in 1847.  The revisions were complete in 1901 and have a grand mixture of classical, Moorish, and Art Nouveau features. 

This was truly a peak into how "the other half" lives.

I love the details.

The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary stands in the place where a great mosque stood until Murcia was wrested from the Muslims in the Christian Reconquest during the thirteenth century.  Building began in 1394 but not completed until 1467.  Further growth through the 18th century added even more architectural styles.  The facade is Baroque,

while the interior is Gothic.  There are 23 chapels surrounding the apse and three naves--each one different.

Beautiful organ pipes and lovely stained glass windows.  Again, it's the detail of the individual decorations that draws my attention.

After our visit to the cathedral, we were given an hour of free time to wander in the old town shopping area.  David had a snack sitting at an outdoor cafe and enjoyed a little people watching.  The wedding took place at the city hall a block away, but pictures in front of the cathedral would be more stunning.  

Tourists come in all ages.  This group of scouts had their day at the cathedral too.

Meanwhile, I went wandering and happened upon my dream come true--a fabric shop that catered to the creation of the traditional native costumes.  There were a few racks of already sewn vests and velvet pantaloons for boys; and puffy-sleeved, lacy blouses, skirts and aprons for girls.  The shop-keeper spoke no English, but we communicated well enough for him to know I wanted just a quarter of a meter of a couple of fabrics to take back to the quilt group.  I was in heaven browsing through the shop.

The last visit on our tour was to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Holy Fountain.  Our guide told us that the region was plagued by drought at the end of the 1600s.  The people prayed in vain to the patron saint of the time.  In desperation they turned to the Virgin of the Fuensanta or Holy Fountain who was in a shrine near a spring in the hills outside of town.  They brought her image out in a procession and the heavens immediately opened, ending the drought.  She became the Murcia's patron saint from that time forward and this sanctuary was built for her.  The tradition continues and twice a year, a procession is held to bring her to the cathedral in Murcia.  

I don't remember how much gold leaf our guide said went into the altar, but it was obviously a lot.




















The painting in the ceiling depicts the procession of townspeople with their patron saint.




















This is a favorite venue for weddings as the view of the valley below creates the perfect backdrop.

When we got back to the ship, we enjoyed watching this little sailing class in the bay.

On a much bigger scale, this very interesting 360 million pound sterling mega yacht owned by a Russian magnate is in the harbor for repairs.  

The fog that hung heavily over the harbor all day, finally cleared just before we sailed out.