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Calasparra tourist information
Calasparra is a municipality of around 10,500 inhabitants which is part of the Comarca del Noroeste, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, sharing its boundaries with Moratalla, Cieza, Mula, Cehegín and the province of Albacete.
Calasparra owes its rich history to its geography. criss-crossed by the rivers Segura, Argos and Quípar. These rivers created fertile riverside agricultural zones, a landscape of rocky outcrops and deep gorges such as the Cañon de los Almadenes, the Cueva 
de los Monigotes, the Cueva del Puerto.
The mountains in the Sierras of San Miguel and San José are surrounded by vast plains of dry crop landscapes, where wheat, olives, carobs and almonds grow amidst the vineyards.
Closer to the water's edge, apricots, peaches, pears, apples and cherries enjoy the benefits of the warm southern Spanish climate and irrigation, two factors which also combine to make Calasparra a nationally renowned rice growing area.
These rich natural resources have attracted inhabitants for thousands of years: the Abrigo del Pozo rock paintings is testament to a prehistoric presence, the Villa Vieja is an abandoned Moorish settlement, the Castle of San Juan a reminder of medieval Calasparra, and the Palacio de la Encomienda de la Orden de San Juan de Jerusalén the seat of 
the religious knights who owned Calasparra for 600 years.
Close by is the sanctuary of La Esperanza, cut out of the rock face and set in riverside gardens, a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people every year and the home of the Virgen de la Esperanza.
The sanctuary is the centre of one of the most important religious occasions in Calasparra every year, the Romería de la Esperanza, although the Fiestas held in honour of the town's patrons, the Fiestas patronales de San Abdón and San Senén, also attract vast crowds due to the encierros or bull runs which form a central part of the events. The autumn Feria is dedicated to rice and bullfighting, while the Semana Santa and Flamenco festival are also important cultural activities in Calasparra.
Agriculture, especially fruit production and canning as well as rice production, remains the most important industry, although rural tourism is also an important element of the local economy, allied with residential tourism, which has attracted various expat residents to make Calasparra their home on two urbanisations built within the municipality. The combination of culture, landscape and tourist activity combine to make Calasparra an attractive municipality which retains the true essence of Murcia and a good base from which to explore the north-west of the Region of Murcia.
November 27 to February 4 El Siglo de Tegeo art exhibition in Caravaca de la CruzThe neo-classical portrait painter Rafael Tegeo was born in Caravaca in 1798 Rafael Tegeo Díaz was a prominent neo-classical painter, known mainly for his portraits, in the first half of the 19th century, having been born in Caravaca de la Cruz in 1798..
January 17 The Cross and The Sword, a free guided tour in CaravacaIn 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..
January 18 Guided tour of the Rafael Tegeo art exhibition in CaravacaThe neo-classical portrait painter Rafael Tegeo was born in Caravaca de la Cruz in 1798 Rafael Tegeo Díaz was a prominent neo-classical painter, known mainly for his portraits, in the first half of the 19th century, having been born in Caravaca de la..
January 18 to February 2 Fiestas de la Candelaria in the Caravaca village of BarrandaParades and plenty of traditional music and food as Barranda honours the Virgen de la Candelaria The village of Barranda in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz celebrates its annual fiestas in honour of the Virgen de la Candelaria, whose feast day falls..
January 24 to 26 Folk and Cuadrillas festival in the Caravaca village of BarrandaA feast of music coinciding with the local Fiestas de la Candelaria in Barranda Over the weekend of 24th to 26th January 2025 the village of Barranda in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz will be welcoming thousands of people to the 45th edition of its..
January 25 Guided visit to the El Milano prehistoric rock art site in MulaEl Milano also contains a Stone Age burial ground The prehistoric site and rock of art of El Milano constitute one of the most important ancient historical locations of the many in Mula, and was discovered in 1985, It consists of two rock shelters within which..
January 25 Essencial The Music of Abba in CaravacaThis top ABBA tribute show comes to the Teatro Thuiller in Caravaca de la Cruz The city of Caravaca de la Cruz in north-western Murcia travels back in time to the e70s and 80s on Saturday January 25, when the Teatro Thuillier welcomes the show “..
Discover the natural paradise of the River Argos in north-western MurciaHiking, kayaking, birdwatching and the simple joy of the countryside in Caravaca, Cehegín and Calasparra Source: ITREM The River Argos is far from being a major waterway but it is one of the natural jewels of the north-west of the Region of Murcia..
Spectacular cave visits in the Region of MurciaAdventure for all the family in unique chambers where geology and history combine to provide unique experiences The summer tourist season is drawing to a close in The Region of Murcia and throughout Europe but fortunately in the Costa Cálida there are..
5 great destinations in the north-west of Murcia during the Holy Jubilee Year of 2024 in CaravacaCaravaca and its neighbours Cehegín, Bullas, Calasparra and Bullas all offer a fascinating range of experiences to visitors The city of Caravaca de la Cruz is one of only 5 to have been awarded the status of “Holy Cities” by the Vatican..
10 unique natural wonders in the Region of Murcia!Icy cold springs, moonscapes, badlands and enchanted natural cities in the Costa Cálida! Far from being simply a stretch of coastline in the western Mediterranean, the Region of Murcia has a fantastically varied landscape, and the following selection.. 23/10/2023
Six great family days out in the Region of Murcia this summer!Half a dozen plans for a day away from the beach in the Costa Cálida! School’s almost out for summer, and thousands of families will be heading from all over Europe to the Costa Cálida for their annual dose of sun, sea and sand, but of..
Cañaverosa tourist information point at the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza in CalasparraA green oasis of nature and wildlife in Calasparra in northern Murcia The tourist information point of Cañaverosa in the municipality of Calasparra is located at the entrance to the astonishing Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Esperanza, alongside the..
The rice fields of Calasparra, a unique day out in the Region of Murcia!Calasparra is one of only three areas in Spain with Denomination of Origin status for locally grown rice Despite rice being one of the commonest foods on the planet it is a relatively rare sight to see the product being cultivated in Europe, but in Calasparra..
Understanding the Funeral Process in SpainIn Spain, it is the norm to plan ahead for your funeral. It’s all part of making things easier for the family and loved ones The cost of a funeral in Spain continues to rise and most Spanish families take out some kind of funeral plan to cover the..
Rafting on the River Segura and a chance to sample dishes made with Calasparra riceHealthy exercise on the river followed by a delicious lunch or dinner in Calasparra For many people summer in the Costa Cálida is limited to soaking up the rays on the beach and enjoying sundowners in a seafront restaurant or chiringuito, but a great..
