August 22 The Cross and The Sword, a free guided tour in Caravaca

In the city of Caravaca de la Cruz the threads of religious belief and military strength are inextricably intertwined

The history of the Holy City of Caravaca is characterized by two main elements: the presence of the Vera Cruz, believed by many to be a fragment of the cross on which Christ was crucified, and its importance as a frontier city between the 13^th and the 15^th centuries, when the Region of Murcia was ruled by the Christian kingdoms of Castilla and Aragón but the neighbouring area of Andalucía was still part of the Moorish kingdom of Al-Nazrid.

This can still be seen in the 21^st century, for example in the buildings at the top of the hill, where the Basilica of the True Cross is combined with the castle - in fact, this mixture of war and religion can still be heard when locals say that they are going to Mass “in the castle”!

This guided tour on Friday 22nd Agust (given in Spanish, although tour guides generally speak English) explains this historical dual nature of the city, outlining the importance of military-religious orders over the century on a route which includes the Basilica of the True Cross and others of the many religious and military buildings in Caravaca, dating from the Middle Ages to the Baroque period.

The free tour begins at the Basílica de la Vera Cruz at 11.00 at the Basilica with previous online registration required here (in due course) and participants are advised to wear comfortable walking clothes. 

Further information about Caravaca and its role as a Holy City is available from the tourist office (Plaza de España, 7, telephone 968 702424, email turismo@caravacadelacruz.es).

Or for more local information including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today.