Legal, Illegal, Or Lawless.

There are those who refuse to show their political views in public, whether on the border of legality.
After exploring the net, and see different arguments, and without showing any kind of political affection, the Republican flag is not legal, but it is not forbidden to show it, except in government buildings. I would remind those who read this post, that Spain is a parliamentary monarchy.

Chimney.

At background of the image, you can see the chimney in the garden of the Silk Road.
About this chimney, I told his story, here.

Overcast Sky.

Yesterday morning dawned with the sky completely overcast. I made a picture that looked like the sky had been covered with a white duvet.

Bullfighting Museum. Museo Taurino De Murcia.

Municipal Bullfighting Museum and the Murcia Bullfighting Club.
Located in the former Gunpowder Factory, currently the Salitre Garden, the Municipal Bullfighting Museum was installed in 1995, with the backing of the Murcia Bullfighting Club, founded in 1887. A collection of paintings, photographs and posters, as series of bull's heads, bullfighters costumes and other bullfighting accesories completed an exhibit wich is representative of the national Festivity. (Source: Municipallity of Murcia)
And, of course, the museum has a tapas bar.

River Segura In Calasparra

Calasparra is one of the best places for a swim or to fish in the Segura river. In this area (near the sanctuary) is usually a good flow.
View the river at this site gives reason to exist an industry for the production of rice, Calasparra rice.
This photo finish this little visit to the town of Calasparra.

Sanctuary Of Virgen De La Esperanza. Calasparra.

I've delayed a day, but here is the facade of the Sanctuary, Virgen de la Esperanza (Virgin of Hope, although more than hope, I would translate as Virgin Pregnant, I think) in Calasparra. As you can see, the chapel is inside the mountain. In fact, it is a cave on the mountain itself. In that cave, a shepherd found the figure of the Virgin. By the Sanctuary runs the Segura river for what they brought to this place shepherds his flock to drink, and at night, were kept in caves.
Since the seventeenth century, is revered to this virgin here.

Sanctuary Of Calasparra.

Following my visit to Calasparra, today the entrance to the Sanctuary Virgin of Hope (Santuario Virgen de la Esperanza).
This is just an appetizer (unfocused). Tomorrow more.

Church Of St. Peter, And Castle. Iglesia De San Pedro Y Castillo. Calasparra.

Church: The parish church of San Pedro is one of the most important monuments of Calasparra, made stone and brick, as befits a typically Murcian baroque buildings, whose walls have been plastered with white plaster in the latest restoration of the building. The church has three naves and a Latin cross.
Medieval church has undergone transformations over time, the last in the nineteenth century. The set is a typical example of popular architecture of the seventeenth century.
Castle (background of the image): The historical development of the castle of Calasparra, is closely linked to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, for it was the most obvious symbol of the power of this military order on land and people, controlling major roads and river channels, as well as a highly productive farms. A power that linked the town with the monks for six centuries.
First fortification on the hill could date around the twelfth century, although the renovations on the castle had to be numerous and significant, especially after the Spanish conquest of the kingdom of Murcia.

Calasparra: Villa Del Arroz. Rice Village.

Calasparra (town in northwest of Region of Murcia, see yesterday) is known worldwide for its rice: Calasparra rice. A bomb-type rice, which is considered by gourmets as one of the best in the world. Needs more cooking time, but makes all the flavors to permeate into the grain.

The Northwest Of Murcia. El Noroeste De Murcia.

In the bottom of the poster it can be read that this region is formed by the populations of: Bullas, Calasparra, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegín, Moratalla and Mula.
At the top, the options offered by this inland: adventure tourism, rural, cultural, religious, food and wine, handicrafts, festivals and traditions.
It could say that this area is the green lung of the Region of Murcia. While traditionally, the Region of Murcia has been promoted as a destination for sun and beach, the Region of Murcia is much more.
I recommend you to visit this area and, to begin, its website.

7 RM

7 Region of Murcia is the public regional television in the Region of Murcia. Broadcasting Public Entity Region of Murcia , consists of two public companies that manage, respectively, radio and regional television: Onda Regional de Murcia and de Murcia Regional Television.
Testing began broadcasting in the April 14, 2006, and final schedule began on 23 October 2006. It features news programs, debates, broadcast league 1 st, 2 nd Division and Champions League.
It also has a second channel called HD on Freeview HD 7RM start broadcasting on August 19, 2009.
Gives all programs created by the chain in widescreen format (16:9).

Chinese Garden. Jardín Chino.

This is the new Chinese garden, which was rebuilt between 2007 and 2008. Previously, the flat area of the image, was a small pond that was crossed by a bridge. But emptied the pond, and for many years not refilled. During this period, this area became an area of homeless, and often sleep under the bridge above.
I, personally, I liked that old Chinese garden where the pond had water. Now, this paved area it is used for skating, to concerts, to barracas in the spring festivals ...
Perhaps it is more useful and removed some crime that existed in recent years the old garden.
Behind me, there is a children's play area, a playground for adults, Eucalyptus grandis which give life to the garden.
In the background, the Cathedral's tower.

Arrixaca Virgin.

This is a monument dedicated to the sculpture of Santa Maria de la Arrixaca, who was patron of Murcia from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century, and was succeeded by the Lady of Fuensanta. Although officially, the edict of King Alfonso X "El Sabio", who was awarded the rank of patron, has not been revoked, so it really is still the patron of the Kingdom of Murcia.
The image of the Virgin is a polychrome wood carving of the late Romanesque, dating from the twelfth century. His feast is celebrated the last Sunday in May as the May 1, 1243 the Infante Don Alfonso (later Alfonso X the Wise), son of Fernando III the Saint, went peacefully in the city of Murcia.
More about the history of Santa Maria de la Arrixaca (spanish):
- Wikipedia
- regmurcia.com
- forosdelavirgen.org (the most complete information)

City Museum. Museo De La Ciudad.

16th century. Former residence of the López-Ferrer family. The original building was ordered to be built by Mr Gil Rodríguez de Junterón, first officer for the Pope Julius II and Archdeacon of Lorca. It has an orchard of Hispanic-Muslim origin.
The Museum's main objectives disclosure and dissemination of cultural heritage in Murcia by walking through history, art, crafts, ethnography, etc., as reflected in the contents of the different rooms they have, and willing to show the identity of the city and its municipality. This museum is intended as a starting point for a deeper understanding of our city, something that can complement visiting, "in situ", its most characteristic places.
In summary, collection of pieces that expose the roots and the changes that the city has undergone over time.

Huertano Monument.

This sculpture is a tribute to the huertanos, workers of the orchard in Murcia. Located in the Garden of Salitre (saltpeter).

Veronicas Exhibition Hall. Sala Verónicas.

This building was the church of the convent of the Veronicas, and is the only remnant of the convent complex which was founded in 1529 by Doña Isabel de Alarcón under the rule of the Terciarios de San Francisco (Third Order of St. Francis).
Currently it holds a temporary exhibit hall. (Source: Municipallity of Murcia)

Sta Joaquina De Vedruna Catholic School. Carmelitas.

In 1929, the Vedruna Carmelite Sisters came to Murcia. After passing through several venues, this building opened in 1959, currently teaches from three to sixteen years. It is a bilingual school concerted.
Currently only three Carmelite sisters living in this building, of which only one works.
More about this school, here (Spanish)