Costa Cálida

Costa Cálida stretches 250 kilometres from the beach at El Mojon, the first town we come to in Murcia after leaving Alicante province, to La Carolina beach in Águilas, the last resort in the region before the border with Almería. Far from presenting a uniform landscape, the Murcia coastline is rich in contrasts and full of pleasant surprises. Contrasts such as those offered by the sight of recondite, solitary coves that appear suddenly in the midst of long, idyllic beaches, or the vision of completely bare mountains soaring over lush, green market gardens. And surprises such as that offered by La Manga del Mar Menor, one of nature´s most beautiful and unusual caprices, a unique spot that draws thousands of visitors to its sandy beaches every year.

A key date in local history is 209 BC, when Carthago Nova, present day Cartagena, was conquered by the Roman army, led by Scipio. For seven centuries after, Murcia formed part of the Roman Empire, its influence felt particularly on the coast. Cartagena prospered thanks to the intense mining activity in the region, its port, strongly protected like the rest of the city, the main point of entry and departure in local trading activities. The decline of the Roman Empire plunged the region into a period of uncertainty and hardship. What we now know as the Costa Cálida only began to recover some semblance of stability during the short-lived period of Byzantine rule between the 6th and 7th centuries. In 713, these lands were occupied by the Moors, who would not relinquish their grasp until well into the 13th century. Enormous and important farming improvements were made during the period of Islamic rule.

Open, friendly people, the Murcians value their lifestyle and traditions as much as the next man, applying that spark of humour and irony to their lives that is found in those used to dwelling amidst a frequently hostile environment. Perhaps for this reason, too, they throw themselves into their celebrations with an unusual degree of enthusiasm and devotion. Examples can be found all over the Costa Cálida.

For example, the Carnival in Águilas, which coincides with the National Salsa Music Festival. Holy Week and the Festival of Romans and Carthaginians (which takes place each September) are popular events in Cartagena, whilst Bolnuevo and Mazarrón also stage great battles every year, though in this case between Moors and Christians. In San Pedro del Pinatar, San Javier and Mazarrón, amongst other towns, there are annual sea processions led by Our Lady of Carmen. Visitors will have no trouble finding souvenirs made of pottery here, as this is a craft practiced all over the region since time immemorial. Less common but equally attractive are the objects made from esparto, cane and wicker, whilst there are also many workshops here devoted to the art of making Christmas cribs, a practice imported from Italy.