Public transport: the train. Murcia connected with the rest of Spain and Europe.

In the picture you can see the train that links Madrid to Cartagena, from Murcia.

In Spain, until now, national infrastructures are so willing radial. That is, all the roads and rails all go through Madrid. If you want to go north to south you have to go through the Spanish capital. However, there are certain roads that connect the Mediterranean coast for example from Murcia to Montpelier (France), via Barcelona.

Verónicas market place (Mercado de Verónicas)

A few days ago published a picture of the Muslim wall of Verónicas. Well, this building is close to the wall, at San Francisco plan.
It is a market place whose building dates from the early twentieth century, although there since the fifteenth century and in Murcia in the habit of holding the market in the area of Arenal, the current San Francisco plan. This practice led to the continued existence of a place in that market, which was given in 1910 in Art Nouveau style building designed by architect Pedro Cerdán. At present, the Verónicas market is considered one of the most important city market, and it attracts hundreds of buyers every day in search of the best products: meat, fish, vegetables, and frozen vegetables. In this market are both citizens and the best restaurants to buy their products.

Run your furniture: Ikea

Like other cities, Murcia has an Ikea. While in Spain, there are very few cities where Ikea is installed.
Since opening its doors more than 2 years, Ikea in Murcia is always crowded. Or crisis or anything.
In the background, the city of Murcia.

Village People in a shop window

Or that is what they look like mannequins in the window above. This photo is of a shop work clothes.

Casino of Murcia

The Casino of Murcia is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

The facade of the early twentieth century. The casino is not a place of games like in Las Vegas, it is more a cultural center. The casino is owned by a private association, but can be accessed by anyone. The interior is even more beautiful, but is in a period of restoration and can not be passed. Inside it there is the ballroom, library (with more than 20,000 books), the billiard room and the Arabic courtyard.

This building is in Trapería Street (see labels).

When opening its doors, I'll show you pictures of it.

Here you can see some pictures of it in 2007. Click.

God Mercury

In the same place as yesterday, we can find the statue of the god Mercury, the god of commerce.

It was donated by the Chamber of Commerce in February 2007 and its author is Antonio Campillo (Murcian sculptor these days is an exhibition at the Palace Almudí).

While there is a little strange pagan god with a Catholic church.

But I must say that from this perspective you can not see that Mercury is between the church and the building of the Chamber of Commerce.

As for the sculpture, saying that was made in 1966, and since 1975 it was in the building of the Chamber of Commerce.

Church of St. Bartholomew. (Iglesia de San Bartolomé)

At the heart of Murcia, in the San Bartolomé square, is this church. It was built in a neoclassical style. This was built between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. While the front side of the church is the seventeenth century.

It seems that in the eleventh century, at the site of this church was a mosque and a Muslim cemetery.

The interior of this church you can see a sculpture of Francisco Salzillo, our great sculptor (in 2007 we celebrate the 300 anniversary of his birth.).

The frescoes of the Altar Mayor were painted by Muñoz Barberán.

Paddel at the Sport Center La Flota (CD La Flota)

A few months ago I published a photo of this site, but the main entrance.

This is the Sports Center La Flota. In the picture you can see the tracks paddle.

The other post: see labels.

Reminiscent of our past.

At the base of the statue yesterday, there are remnants of the recent past in Spain.
This is the official Spanish shield at the time of the dictatorship of General Franco. After the dictatorship to democracy, the eagle was changed by a crown. So this shield is illegal today.
In Spain there are many people there who do not want these memories of the dictatorship. Another, want to maintain. In my opinion, if these memories are removed from the streets, one could forget that dark part of the history of Spain. And not to forget, to prevent re-occurrence.
In the small photo you can see a plaque commemorating the day that the statue was inaugurated.

Inmaculate Conception

At the Santa Catalina Square, near the Las Flores Square, and in front of the Church of Santa Catalina, this monument is the figure of the Immaculate Conception.

It was inaugurated on December 8, 1954. In fact, December 8 is a national holiday in Spain and is celebrated on the day of the Immaculate Conception.

With the perspective with which I took the picture, you can see at the top of the building's sculpture The Union and The Phoenix (of which I wrote in another post).

Muñoz Barberán. An artist.

Until February 15, 2009 is set out in Palace Almudí works by the Murcian artist Muñoz Barberán. He was an author who has managed to reflect Murcia as anyone.

This artist, born in 1921, died in December 2007.

Of course it has not only painted on Murcia, also has its Portuguese time, Madrid, and so, in his prolific life.

You can not stop visiting the exhibition, especially for Murcians.

A little anecdote: he traveled around Spain in a sidecar motorcycle with his friend Molina Sanchez, another great painter.

Molina Sanchez still lives, and surely has many stories of that trip, and make sure it could be a fun movie.

El Golito (another tapas bar)

I have said several times that the Plaza de las Flores (see labels) is a place for tapas and eat. At about 20 meters from the cover (see yesterday) is the brewery: The Golito. Where you can tapas well.

A few years ago, when I was a teenager, I remember that my baptism godfather told me he used to do exercise as follows: a route to the tapas bars in this area, getting a beer and a tapa. Bearing in mind that in this area there are at least 10 tapas bars, imagine how it would be my godfather. For this number of bars must be added that there is in the Plaza de las Flores (Flowers square) and is in the streets of Las Mulas (Mules).

A greeting to my godfather, a person who has influenced me greatly.

ADDED POST

On December 22, 2008, MurciaDailyPhoto was awarded by MKHANSEN from Lexington Daily Photo. From here, I thank you wholeheartedly for the award (and I apologize for taking so long to talk about the award, but I have not had time)

I would give this awards to several blog that I follow. Some already have this awards, but I want to pass it again.

1.- ParisDailyPhoto: Thanks Eric, that if I had not found your blog I had not begun MurciaDailyPhoto

2.-LexingtonDailyPhoto: as one of my biggest supporters and show your city from a perspective so close. From Virginia, USA.

3.-ThisWillHeartMe: Blog where Kris gives us the love of a father how to grow their children (Henry and Ezra). He also offer unusual images of Hobart, Australia.

4.-My Manila: Charming photos by Hilda from the Philippines.

5.-Brookvilledailyphoto: From the USA, Abraham Lincoln gave us his live, telling stories about his interesting life.

6.-VictoriaDailyPhoto: From Canada, Benjamin Madison gives us some amazing photos of this Canadian city.

7.-Monte Carlo Daily Photo:Jilly offers photos of the Principality, but with the eyes of the people. From Monaco.

8.-Greenville Daily Photo: Denton is working on several blogs and is the creator of the Daily Photo Map. In this way we are about each city in a more straightforward.

La Tapa

So far I have only talked about the monuments and places of Murcia to be seen. But visit opens the appetite.

Today I will show you a place famous for tapas in Murcia: the bar "La Tapa".

It is said that the best Russian salad of Murcia you can eat in that place (Russian salad is a mixture of boiled potatoes, canned tuna in oil, carrots, green beans, peas, cauliflower, olives, hard-boiled egg and plenty of mayonnaise ). More about the origin of this salad: click.

In this bar you can take a variety of tapas. Weekends and holidays, it is very difficult to get a place at the time of the aperitif.

Is located in the Plaza de las Flores (see labels).

The Chys Gallery

In this building, with this beautiful entry is Chys Gallery.

It is one of the most famous painting galleries of the city. This gallery presents contemporary artists from all styles.

It is located on the street Trapería.

Four Corners

Some days ago I wrote about the street Trapería and the street Platería (see labels). Both streets come together here: the four corners.

With this name is known by the Murcian here.

Here we have been to go for a drink, or eating, or with our first girlfriends / boyfriends. It is a place with many stories.

Zabálburu Building

Next to the palace yesterday, is this building.

19th century. Work attributed to Juan segundo de Lema and built around 1890. The neomudejar styled facades still remain, after the interior was completely redone in 1990. In the basement, a section of a Muslim mural from the 12th century is preserved.

Both buildings are near to Segura river. The wall surrounding Murcia in times of Muslims, as well as a defense against military attacks, was also a way to fend off the flood of the river.

Building Architects

Nineteenth-century building.

Constructed in 1816 as project of Francisco Bolarín "The Old".

Completely remodeled inside since 1978, remains only preserves the facade and part of the Muslim wall of the twelfth century. Is on the site of the Alcazar of Henry III and was a Palace of Holy Office since 1478.

Source: Council of Murcia.

This building is very close (about 100metres) from the image of the wall yesterday.

Arabic Wall

Murcia has its origins in the Roman Empire (Mursiya: wetlands) but there are very few relics that are now discovering.

There are remains of our Muslim past, when Murcia belonged to Al-Andalus. In town you can find various parts of the Arabic wall that surrounding the city in the past.

The image is of the wall next to the Chamber Veronicas (exhibition hall that was formerly a church) and next to the market Veronicas (market products of all kinds).

History: Murcia was founded by Muslims of Al-Andalus in 825aC.

Muslims called the city Mursah: fortified. It is not clear yet whether the origin of the name of Murcia is Roman or Arabic.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (and 7) Platería Street (Silver Street)

Echoes of Christmas 2008 the series will end with this street.

This is another medieval street, like the Jabonerías and the Trapería streets (see labels). It is also a very commercial street, where shops of all kinds.

In the Middle Ages and a few centuries later, in this street was being marketed with silver.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (6)

Calle Jabonerías (Street soap).

This street is another of the medieval origin. On this street at the time, was marketed with soaps.

Today the street is full of trendy shops.

See also post Trapería street.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (5)

This past Christmas, as decoration in Murcia were several trees of light.

In the picture you can see a tree, red / pink and the moon.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (4)

Like all major shopping centers in Murcia are also decorated in time for Christmas. Perhaps this is one of the more I like the design (the building) and ornaments made by these dates.

The photo is in the commercial center Thader.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (3)

Plaza de las Flores. (The Flowers Square)
This is one of the most popular places in the city of Murcia. The square is surrounded by "Tascas" which are tapas bars. The name of the square is given by the flower market previously. Today there are only two, as you can see in the background.

Echoes of Christmas 2008 (2)

I suppose that like all cities in Spain, Murcia has its Gran Via (formerly was the main avenue of the city, but today remains very important.
On this street / avenue, there are many shops .. In the photo you can see a small poster promoting the products of the Region of Murcia.

Echoes of Christmas 2008

I'm back. My Holidays have finished.
During Christmas I published some photos of those dates. For a few days I will post some pictures I could not publish for being on holidays. However, in Spain, the Christmas season ends on January 6, when the night of January 5 to January 6, the Magic Kings (according to Christian tradition) make gifts in our homes (as Santa Claus in English-speaking countries ).
The picture is the day of the Christmas lottery. The owner of a lottery administration is interviewed by television 7RM. (Near the Flowers Square)

Who protects whom?

A nice picture.

Main Facade of the Cathedral of Murcia

Yesterday I showed you the tower of the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria) and today I show the main facade. Built between 1737 and 1751 to replace the previous Renaissance facade that it was in a very bad condition.
Baroque style, the main facade or imafronte is a beauty and monumentality, unique. Oriented to the West, it was projected as an altar stone plaza as open to the commissioning of the Cabildo and the Cardinal Belluga, doing Jaime Bort. It is entirely dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, owner of the temple, she also appeared in countless effigies of saints and martyrs linked to the Diocese of Cartagena, many of them were done by the French artist Antonio Dupar. It has three doors: two sides (the San Jose or the Cabildo and the San Juan or the council) and the plant, called Gate of Forgiveness (of which only opens at large acts). (Source: wikipedia in spanish)

Cathedral Tower

The bell-tower, built from 1521 to 1793, measured 90 meters (95 with the vane). Renaissance and Baroque style.

The bells of the tower are a total of twenty-five, all of the XVII and XVIII century, and each with its own name.

Only a bell is above the rest (fourteenth century) is called Mora and is considered the oldest in Spain a few years ago was down from the tower and deposited in the Museum of the Cathedral. (Source: wiki in spanish)

Theme Day: Best photo of the year 2008

On Jan. 1 has arrived. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

As I was not sure who to choose as the best picture of 2008 of which I have published, I have 3.

The 1st is the most important to me, my son had his first birthday last November 1.

The 2nd: The photo better appreciated by visitors to MDP.

The 3rd: my first post in MurciaDailyPhoto.

Valuing you.

And of course, again I wish you all the best for this 2009 that starts today.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants