A walk along the squares of Murcia
A tour along the squares of Murcia, cheerful and cozy spaces that invite you to meet, to rest, to enjoy a coffee or a good tapa
The Glorieta, Belluga Square, La Cruz Square, Los Apóstoles Square, San Juan and Santa Eulalia, Santo Domingo and Romea separated by "Arco de Santo Domingo"; the Squares of Las Flores and Santa Catalina, Santa Isabel Square, Plaza Mayor, etc., are all cheerful and cozy spaces that invite you to meet, to rest, to enjoy a coffee or a good tapa, and above all, to experience all the beautiful things that the city and its people have to offer.
The Square of the Glorieta, also called Paseo de la Glorieta or Glorieta de España
It is one of the best known in the city because it is home to the most important buildings of civil and ecclesiastical power, the Town Hall or Casa Consistorial and the Episcopal Palace. It is an open, landscaped space, where flowers, palm trees and water fountains recall the times when this place was occupied by the Prince's Palace and the Arenal area. This fact was reflected in the first name given to the square, being called Glorieta del Arenal.
The Square of Cardenal Belluga is dominated by the buildings of the Episcopal Palace, the City Hall and the Cathedral
It is located in the historic centre of the city. With a baroque layout, it has undergone various modifications over time. In 1885 a statue of Cardenal Belluga was placed in it, and it was renamed Cardenal Belluga Square. This square combines the Eclectic and Modernist style of some of the houses built in the first half of the 20th century with the Contemporary style of the new Town Hall building. A must if you want to admire the impressive baroque façade of the Cathedral.
The Plaza de la Cruz, also known as Plaza de las Cadenas
According to tradition, the Plaza de la Cruz has this name because of a cross that marked the exact spot where the main altar of the primitive church that stood here was, long before the construction of the Cathedral. It is also known as Cadenas Square because the cross is surrounded by chains, although the current name is Plaza de Hernández Amores in honour of a 19th century painter from Murcia. This small square is the starting point of Calle Trapería, which leads to St. Domingo Square.
The Apostles' Square is located at the side of the cathedral where the Apostles' Gate is located
It is located between the Cardenal Belluga Square and Alejandro Seiquer Street (old post office street) in the centre of the city of Murcia. In this square is located the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático y Danza, as well as one of the sides of the Cathedral of Murcia, where the door of the Apostles is located, you can also see the exterior of the tower chapel of Los Velez and the chain sculpted in stone that embraces it. A charming square with a variety of restaurants and bars.
The St. John's Square is dominated by the church of St. John of God
The square is presided over by the church of St. John of God and is located in one of the most popular neighbourhoods of Murcia. We can access it through the well-known St. John's Arch, the main entrance to the square. In the area there are a good number of terraces and restaurants offering a varied gastronomy, from international and market food to traditional Murcian cuisine.
In the St. Eulalia Square you can visit the Muralla de Murcia Visitor Centre
Located in the St. Eulalia neighbourhood in the centre of the city of Murcia, of great tradition and picturesque passages. The church of St. Eulalia is the main axis of the neighbourhood located in the square of the same name, the St. Eulalia Square, an area with a great atmosphere, restaurants and typical taverns. In the St. Eulalia Square you can visit the Muralla de Murcia Visitor Centre which houses a section of the medieval walls of Murcia.
The St. Domingo's Square is a reference point for Murcians and visitors alike
Located in the centre of the city, it is a reference point for locals and visitors alike. The streets Traperia, St. Domingo Arch and Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio, among others, lead to this square. The Saint Domingo Square is located in the centre of a marvellous monumental environment. Here you can admire the church of Saint Domingo, the Almodovar Palace and the Casa Cerdá. It is a pedestrian square, decorated with benches, flowerbeds with ornamental plants and palm trees, sculptures and surrounded by restaurant terraces.
The famous Romea Theatre is located in the Julian Romea Square
The Julian Romea Square is one of the busiest places in the city of Murcia, thanks to its good location and the famous Romea Theatre. It is a very good option, if you walk through the centre, to stop for lunch in one of its restaurants and bars with terraces, enjoying the views of the surrounding buildings, such as the Romea Theatre or the Church of Santo Domingo. An archway leads to the St. Domingo Square. In addition to the Romea Theatre, other significant buildings in the square are the Vinader Palace, one of the most significant buildings of 18th century civil architecture, located on the west side of the square, and the González Campuzano Palace, located opposite the theatre on the south side of the square.
The arch of St. Domingo connects the Romea Square with the St. Domingo Square
The arch of Saint Domingo connects the Plaza Romea, where the theatre is located, with the Plaza de Santo Domingo. Originally it was outside the medieval city walls; it was overlooked by a gate in the wall at the end of Trapería Street, possibly the so-called "Puerta del Mercado" (Market Gate), as the square had this function. The Arch of Santo Domingo connected the Almodóvar Palace with the Chapel of the Rosary. In 1982 the Arch, the Church and the Chapel were declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Las Flores Square and St. Catalina are one of the main tapas areas in Murcia
The Las Flores Square is located in the historic centre of the city of Murcia. It is an open space, bordered by 19th century buildings, which connects with the St. Catalina Square, where the Ramón Gaya Museum is located, and the St. Peter's Square. This square acts as an important centre for social relations. Las Flores Square in Murcia is one of the most outstanding urban spaces in the old quarter. It is a pedestrian square located in the centre of the main tapas and restaurant area of Murcia.
The St. Isabel Square is located on the Gran Via in Murcia
In the middle of the city, towards the middle of the Gran Vía Escultor Salzillo in Murcia, we find the Garden/St. Isabel Square. It is so called because it was built on the site occupied by the convent of St. Isabel until 1836, when it was demolished. Nowadays it is a place to rest without getting too far away from our surroundings, and being close to banks, offices, shops, churches and typical bars of the city. The monument to Las Bellas Artes or La Fama still presides over this beautiful spot.
The Plaza Mayor is located in the bohemian and traditional neighbourhood of St. Nicholas
Located in the bohemian and traditional neighbourhood of St. Nicholas, although it was built in the last years of the 20th century. It is home to the church of St. Nicholas, an ancient medieval church where you can see the relief medallions at the entrances, the work of Francisco Salzillo. In fact, perpendicular to it is Vinadel street, the residential place of the brilliant Francisco Salzillo and where he had the workshop that saw the greatest works of universal baroque sculpture. In the area you can also enjoy good terraces and tapas.
You may also be interested in...
Discovering Medieval Murcia
Going out for tapas
VISIT THE BETHLEHEM OF SALZILLO
VISIT THE ROMEA THEATRE
SEE THE RIVER GOING BRIDGE TO BRIDGE
