The Horse. Route Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron or Route of the Faces (8)

 Here, also the artist had used a stone in the middle of the riverbed. Behind, the indian face.

I am going to finish that route with that post (more pictures were taken 😎). Previous post here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

The Indian. Route Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron or Rouye of the Faces (7)

 Another sculpted face on the stone by an anonymous artist.

If you don't pay attetion you can miss some of those sculptures.

"It is also an area of anthropological importance, since the entire South Coast has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the cave houses that are lavished on that dry riverbed (the place is known as Cuevas del Cigarrón - Caves of El Cigarron) were occupied in the last century. Both the Rambla del Puerto and the Rambla del Cigarrón have numerous evidences of ancient settlers. These water courses made the Cordillera Sur an ideal place for cattle. In fact, the route runs close to the Cordel de los Valencianos, one of the most important livestock routes in the municipality of Murcia." (Source: agendamenuda.es)

Previous post here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Snake Face. Route Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron or Route of the Faces (6)

The anonymous artist used the stones that he/she found on the route to sculpt the faces. Below detail.

The previous post here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
 

The King. Route Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron or Route of the Faces (5)

 Also,amoung of painting artist there is also sculpture artist(s).

"In one section of the riverbed there are at least four faces sculpted on the slopes and rocks of the dry riverbed, by a great anonymous artist. This is one of the main attractions of the route if you go with children." (Source: agendamenuda.es)  

On following posts I will show you more stone sculptures.

You can follow the route reading previous posts: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The Dog. Route Through the Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron (4)

 To see those rock painting figure (as the aztec eagle) you have to pay attention during the route surroundings. 

If you have not visited previous post on that subject I would like to invite you to do it: 1, 2 & 3.

Aztec Eagle. Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron (3)

 The Rambla del Cigarrón route is highly recommended to be done with children since during the route you can find contemporary rock art made by anonymous artists. 

Previous post on that route: 1 & 2.

Dry riverbed of El Cigarron (2).

During the route that we started in previous post, "You can see the erosions (cavities) produced by both the water and the wind when the small particles dragged by the wind hit the walls. Calcarenites (in the upper part) are carbonate detrital sedimentary rocks, formed by the consolidation of calcareous sands. Marl (in the lower part) is a type of sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcite and clays, with a predominance, in general, of calcite, which gives it a whitish color with tones that can vary considerably according to the different proportions and compositions of the main minerals." (source: agendamenuda.es) 
I have to say that Region of Murcia it was one of the Spanish areas that later emerged from the sea at Iberian peninsula.

Dry Riverbed of El Cigarron. Rambla del Cigarrón.

 I would like to invite you to a hiking route through the dry riverbed of El Cigarrón during the following posts. It has been located at south of Murcia town.

"The 'Rambla del Cigarrón' is located between the 'Puerto de la Cadena' and the 'Sierra de Carrascoy'. The route runs along the north face of the 'Sierra del Puerto', the steepest slope of these mountains that separate the valley of Segura river from the plains of Cartagena field. The dry riverbed is considered Place of Geological Importance due to the presence of fossils and other formations of interest. In addition, we will be able to observe the vegetation associated with the boulevards and the most relevant examples of the vegetation typical of semi-arid landscapes." "The reliefs are formed by rock formations of marine origin. They are sands that show the marine nature of the area in which remains of turtles that inhabited the area seven million years ago have been found, when this area was an island bathed by the sea (two complete specimens and one incomplete of the shell of a Giant land turtle, from the site of Puerto de la Cadena from the Miocene period, are exhibited in the Paleontological Museum of the Garres). There are also remains of shells belonging to other marine beings that populated this region millions of years ago."(source: agendamenuda.es)

This route is one of those hidden beautiful places at Region of Murcia (see label). In that case I made that route during pandemic time, because there was no so much things to do ;) And I was lucky to do it.

Puerta del Sol

Following the #MurciaMedieval route, you can imagine where the main entrances to cross the wall were.

This Puerta del Sol (Gate of Sun) was located at south, near Segura river, next to Town hall. Indeed you can find some wall remains in the underground parking lot in the vecinity of that ground signal (image).

This door was built on XIII century and become to gate on XV century. It was demolished on 1737.

I recommend to visit the following link to read the complete history of that door (Spanish).

Murcia Medieval

 Now there is a project #MurciaMedieval where you can imagine (following the QR barcodes) the past of Murcia. There is a route on the ancient Medieval wall to imagine the main entrance doors and you could find those wall remains during the trip tha still exists on bars, on the street, in a parking lot, under a restaurant, ...

Narrow Streets: Medieval Legacy.

 The Cathedarl of Murcia surroundings maintains the Medieval scheme of narrow streets.

Spanish Flag

 "The flag of Spain (Spanish: Bandera de España), as it is defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the size of each red stripe. 

The origin of the current flag of Spain is the naval ensign of 1785, Pabellón de la Marina de Guerra under King Charles the Third of Spain. It was chosen by King Charles III himself among 12 different flags designed by Antonio Valdés y Bazán (all proposed flags were presented in a drawing which is in the Naval Museum of Madrid)." (source: Wikipedia)

Picture taken at Glorieta gardens behind Town Hall of Murcia.

Ending Xmas on Pandemic Way

 As you knew from last posting years, Xmas time ending in Spain on January the 6th.

That last Xmas period has been rare due to pandemic. People on street were sad, indeed, less illumination makes a city sad.

Well, hope Xmas time on 2021 will be better.

Image: Town hall.

Parking Lot Night Lights

 

One of the situations that draws my attention during this pandemic is the change on habits. This image is taken at rush hour from a mall. In other situations it would be full of cars. Now, it is almost empty. 

Pigeons and Cathedral

 This picture was taken from Pasarela Manterola bridge where you can find on the left Segura river and remains of an old watermill. On background the tower of Cathedral of Murcia (the baroque cathedral). Sunny day on the beggining of 2021.