Moratalla (38°11′N 1°53′W / 38.183°N 1.883°W) is a small town and the center of a large municipality (961 km2/371 sq mi) of the same name in the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia in southeastern Spain. As of 1 January 2005[update], the population of Moratalla was 8,473: some 5,900 in the town of Moratalla itself and the rest in districts such as Benizar, El Sabinar or Casa Requena.
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Description
It is chiefly a mountainous and comparatively cool territory (with regard to the region), snow being frequent in the highest zones (Revolcadores, 2,015 m/6,610 ft) and cold valleys (Campo de San Juan, El Sabinar). It is crossed by minor rivers (Alhárabe, Benamor) which flow into the Segura. There is a main reservoir of the Segura at El Cenajo. Main representatives of the local fauna are wild boars, Spanish Ibex, short-toed eagles and Moorish turtles. Wide portions of the municipality are protected in ZEPAs (Special Protection Areas) or LICs (Site of Community Importance areas).
Its main economic resources are tourism and agriculture (apricots, almonds, olives and olive oil, wood, barley).
Francis, Duke of Cádiz (13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), king consort of Spain, adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla after his exile to France in 1868.
Sites
Moratalla is a place where many important ancient monuments are placed. One can visit the Fortress Castle (Spanish: Castillo Fortaleza), especially the "Tribute Tower" (Spanish: La Torre del Homenaje), a military-gothic style building which dates from the 15th Century. There is also an Arab castle in Benizar, built in the 12th Century.
An other special monument is the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Asunción (Spanish: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), dating from the Renaissance (16th Century). There are many other churches in Moratalla like Santa Ana or San Francisco, but maybe, and from the historical point of view, the most important one is the "House of Christ" (Spanish: La Casa de Cristo), on the mountain, built under the orders of the Order of La Merced from the 16th Century.
It is important to tell about one of the most popular legends in Moratalla, the Big Stone of the Enchanted. It's placed on the west side of the village, where, goes the legend, Pero López died trying to please his love, Lady Castellana de Fajardo. It's said that every year, on the night of 23 June, a white-dressed woman comes out from the Stone and wanders around.
There are two Roman bridges in Moratalla: the Jesus Christ Bridge over the Benámor River, and the Hellin Bridge over the Alhárabe River.
Holy Week
During the Holy Week, there is a traditional tamborada, a collective drumming, which can last all day long. In southern Spain, tamboradas are characteristic of Moratalla as well as of Mula (in Murcia) and Hellín and Tobarra (in Albacete). A unique aspect of Moratalla's Holy Week is that every tamborista (drummer) dresses in distinct, hand-made robes. Drums are also traditionally hand-made.
Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo del Rayo (Holy Christ of the Thunder Celebrations) July 11-17
This celebration takes place in the streets of Moratalla, in which cows and bulls are set free. People get together into their peñas, placed in the Eldest Street "Calle Mayor", where they enjoy the party. There is also a fair which may be visited every night from 10 to 17 July. It's like an amusement park with many "street-shops" where you can buy some hand-made products.
Government
As of 2008[update] the party known as PSOE governs Moratalla, with Juan Llorente Martínez as the leader of the party and mayor of the village.
Images
 Santa María de la Asunción |
 Old district and Buitre hilltop |
 Alhárabe River |
 Campo de San Juan |
References
External links
- Town hall of Moratalla (in Spanish)
- Asociación de tamboristas (in Spanish)
- Information and tourism resources (in Spanish)
- Viva Murcia community info for Moratalla
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