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The Garden Party

A long cruise - Cartagena, Spain - part 3

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

9 years ago

The population of Murcia is about 400,000 (about the same as Minneapolis). Founded in the ninth century, it is on the Segura River. Like much of the southeastern region of Spain, agricultural exports are big business. We are in Murcia to visit several important buildings, including the Murcia Cathedral and the Casino (not what you might think that is).

As we rode through town, I noted this fountain along a park-like setting next to a cafe.

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Comments (9)

jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Apartment living in Murcia. What caught my eye on this building is the roll-down shutters. They appear to be a high-quality wood. I could go with that.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
It is mid-morning and one customer is sitting in this cafe. Note that the plastic side walls are down to help keep in the warmth. It was chilly on this morning.
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ValorÃ¢ÂÂs Chocolate has been a huge presence in Spain for more than 120 years. Their cafes are in all major cities. On the ship, we had asked about must-do things in Spain - all the crew members said the same - Hot Chocolate. Served with churros (a deep-fried pastry), it is decadent. Remember, 1 Euro equals $1.35USD The missus sat there for a long time, holding court with Cruise Critic friends, while I did my exploring.
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Seating capacity - if there were 6,000 people, then they were sitting close to each other. What is amazing, is that this is only a semi-circle. A full arena would hold more than 10,000. That is much larger than many college basketball venues. It seems that as control of the area changed (it happened all over western Europe, but particularly Spain), buildings would be trashed and the foundation used for something else. That was common with many of the churches we saw. A mosque would be taken down and the foundation for a Christian church would be built. After the Byzantines were in control in southeastern Spain, there were many other cultures that were there. They did not really care about digging up the past (that's a pun). The only way that this theater was found was due to new construction standards mandated better foundations and thus they went digging. And, what do you know, there was a Roman theater. What they were going to build there was cancelled. This photo shows some of the different ways of constructing things at the amphitheater site.
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I had never heard of the city of Murcia. In upcoming posts you will see what a wonderful place it is. Again, we will be visiting a cathedral. I never intended to do so much picture taking, but I got carried away because of their history and the beauty of the sites. AND...I will have some door photos to share! Jim
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The rose from before is part of the rose garden at Maria Luisa Park in Seville. The park is beautiful; it stretches along the Guadalquivir River. The park area was donated to the city of Seville in the late 19th century and was organized in its present set-up in 1911. In 1914, the city began to create a special place for the Ibero-America expo of 1929, which include Maria Luisa Park. Being from the US Midwest, the concept of beautiful blooming roses in November is strange; however, in the southern part of Spain, it is a usual sight.
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Another cafe, with locals enjoying a beverage (probably hot chocolate).
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
This art piece is in front of the School of Dramatic Arts and Dance. Lots of color on the building itself.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
The Episcopal Palace on Plaza Cardenal Belluga is a rococo design. Built between 1748 and 1768, it looked intriguing; however, our tour did not have the time to enter and explore.

I think that was be design, to get us to return. I would have absolutely no hesitation to return to the Spanish cities that we visited. However, I won't fly that far, so I better learn to sail a yacht!
west_gardener
9 years ago
I had a fun looking and reading about your trip to Cartagena,
I can see why you want to go back.
My brother and sister-inlaw, are avid cruisers, and they have found a way to see more of certain places.
They book a hotel room in certain places, then they take some sort of transportation to the next port of the cruise. It works for them.
lilosophie
9 years ago
Interesting places you see.
I am jealous of those who have roll-down shutters, I grew up with them in all the buildings I lived as a kid.
anneliese_32
9 years ago
Was about to say the same about the shutters. I said often enough, if I would win the lottery I would build a house and import the shutters from Germany. Especially the ones which you also can tilt out.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
I am sure that this is not quite what you had in mind - but this was taken in Gibraltar. I thought that the tile work was a neat pattern. However, the shutter situation is good, too.

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