• The digital platform includes essential details about restaurants, accommodation, places to visit and main events integrated into an interactive map of the region
• Every seven years, the city of Caravaca de la Cruz, in the Region of Murcia, Spain, enters a Jubilee Year which brings celebrations and thousands of pilgrims to the city.
• The last Jubilee year of the Caravaca de la Cruz in 2017, saw roughly 500,000 pilgrims and travellers gathering in Caravaca.
• The city is one of the few granted as the Holy City of Catholic Christianity with the distinction of “jubilee in perpetuum” given by the Pope, alongside Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, and Santo Toribio de Liébana, among others.
• The Camino de Levante, a trail that leads through the Region of Murcia to the Caravaca de la Cruz, offers an alternative pilgrimage route through Spain.

London, 17 April – The Region of Murcia highlights the Camino de Levante as the main route for visitors wanting to do the pilgrimage of the Holy Jubilee of the Caravaca de la Cruz this year. This celebration attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every seven years with a pilgrimage tradition dating back almost eight centuries.  

Given the importance of this celebration for local tourism, the authorities of the Region of Murcia launched a user-friendly digital platform aimed at visitors who are joining the pilgrimage this year. The platform shares key information about the planning of the routes including accommodation details, restaurants, main highlights to see and answering other useful questions about the trip.

Off the back of a growth in demand for holistic experiences that provide the opportunity for introspection and the revival of religious outdoor walks in Europe as shown in reports by the religious source Catholic World Report, more and more people are looking to embark upon a pilgrimage. Whether it be religious, spiritual or historical reasoning for following the path, the alternative pilgrimage route, Camino de Levante, that leads to Caravaca de la Cruz, sees thousands of walkers arrive to the Region of Murcia each year.

According to religious history and the Christian faith, the Holy Cross of Caravaca contains a fragment of the Lignum Crucis; that is, the cross on which Jesus Christ died. Along the route, there are inspiring stops, interesting not only to those making the journey for religious reasons but also for hiking enthusiasts.

The Camino de Levante route follows the River Segura and passes through fields and orchards on a 120km hiking route to Caravaca. Not only do most pilgrims choose to travel the Camino de Levante to celebrate the Jubilee Year, but it is also incredibly popular among holidaymakers wishing to experience the atmosphere of the celebrations non-theistically. The pilgrimage route is full of culture, nature and gastronomic offerings and can be broken down into five sections. The route is as follows:

1. Orihuela – Murcia: Begin your journey in Alicante, venturing onto Murcia (24km)

The route starts in the region of Alicante, in Orihuela, where visitors can visit the iconic sights of the city, such as, the Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina, the archaeological museum and the house which was lived in by the great poet Miguel Hernández. The route then crosses into the region of Murcia where the route follows the River Segura. Barceló Murcia Siete Coronas, in Murcia City is priced from £68 per person based on a stay on 13 May.

2. Murcia - Alguazas: discover the orchards of Murcia (26km)

This section runs through a large part of the Murcian orchard, where hikers will discover why Murcia is known as the “Europe's orchard”. Visitors also pass one of the most important sites in Murcia, the Rueda de la Ñora and its aqueduct. The route continues to Molina de Segura, to visit the church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, where the place of worship has stood since the 15th century and is still in perfect condition. Stay at the Villasegura hotel which provides traditional regional and national cuisine with modern touches using local produce. Hotel Villasegura in Molina de Segura is priced from £53 per person based on stay on 14 May.

3. Alguazas – Mula: explore ruins and Barrancos de Gebas (26km)

This area of Murcia is a rugged landscape home to a plethora of Roman remains, such as the Roman Villa of Los Villaricos, a large agricultural villa in the heart of Murcia, and the 12th Century Castle of Alcalá. Guests can also stop at the ancient settlement of Campos del Río, with its typical villages and charm or walk through the Barrancos de Gebas, also known as “the Badlands”. Stay at La Casa de los Coy, a hotel that boasts a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a garden. La Casa de los Coy, in Mula, is priced from £105 per person based on stay on 15 May.

4. Mula – Bullas: stroll through vineyards and landscapes (21km)

Hikers will walk close to the Sierra Espuña Regional Park, the first area in the Region of Murcia endorsed by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS). Following the Northwest greenways, walkers will arrive at Bullas, the land of vineyards and wine and can schedule a stop at Cristo Carrascalejo, or the Museo del Vino (Wine Museum). Stay at Hotel SG, home to a restaurant and winery that serve features Mediterranean cuisine and local wines of Bullas. Hotel SG, in Bullas, is priced from £72 per person based on a stay on 16 May

5. Bullas – Caravaca de la Cruz: finishing the route in style (21km) 

The last stage of the route is the hardest with a 500m ascension. Hikers will pass through an old railway line before arriving at the Taibilla canal, allowing them to explore the pine forests and vineyards before arriving at their final destination: Caravaca de la Cruz, to see the Basílica-Santuario de la Vera Cruz. Stay at the Hotel Almunia, set in the Medieval heart of Caravaca de la Cruz, just a short walk from the central Plaza del Arco. Hotel Almunia, Caravaca de la Cruz, is priced from £73 per person based on a stay on 17 May

Other accommodation options in Caravaca include:

• Hotel La Vera Cruz, offers great city views, a terrace bar and every room has a balcony. It is priced from £69 per person based on stay on 16 May.
• Círculo Artistico, is just 200 metres from the Sanctuary of Vera Cruz. It is priced from £62 per person based on stay on 13 May.
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen is a restored 16th-century monastery just a ten-minute stroll from Santísima Cruz Sanctuary. It is priced from £60 per person based on a stay on 15 May.

THE GRAND CELEBRATIONS – 2 MAY

On the morning of 2 May, Caravaca celebrates the Caballos del Vino (The Wine Horses celebration), the most significant day of the fiestas. Everyone, including visitors, takes to the street dressed in a white shirt with a red shawl to watch a legendary horse race. Each horse is accompanied by four runners and races to the top of the hill that finishes at the open area of the Castle. This race relives an incredible event that happened 700 years ago, when, according to legend, the castle of the sacred city was sieged, and all the drinking water was poisoned. A group of templar knights were able to break the siege and distributed wine to drink from horseback to prevent the population from drinking the poisoned water that had contaminated the tanks.

The Region of Murcia is well connected to the UK, with frequent departures from 10 airports to Murcia International. Easyjet offers direct flights from London Gatwick to Murcia International Airport starting from £35.99 (single fare).

For more information about the Caravaca de la Cruz visit here.

 -ENDS-  

Region of Murcia:

The region of Murcia, in Spain, receives 300 days of sunshine a year and its beautiful coastline with spectacular beaches and secluded coves is just a short drive from the city centre. The region has an array of historical attractions to discover from the grand Roman ruins in Cartagena to the old fishing town of Águilas as well as a deep-rooted gastronomical heritage thanks to the outstanding produce it has on offer. The Region of Murcia is well connected to the UK, with frequent departures from 10 airports to Murcia International.

Media notes:   

For more information on the region of Murcia as a visitor destination, please contact LOTUS at Murcia@wearelotus.co.uk or visit www.turismoregiondemurcia.es/en