December 5 to February 18 Magna Urbe historical art exhibition in Caravaca de la Cruz

A painting from 1684 features the first known panoramic depiction of the Holy City of Caravaca

The exhibition is one of the first in the 2024 Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz

The Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz in 2024 is being launched with a series of events and exhibitions in the city, and one of the first to open to the public is the display of a remarkable painting dating from 1684 in the former church of the Compañía de Jesús, which is now a museum and exhibition space.

The significance of this painting, entitled “Aparecimiento de la Vera Cruz entre San Félix y Santa Régula” (The Apparition of the True Cross Between St Felix and St Regula), in the “Magna Urbe” exhibition is that it features the earliest known depiction of a panoramic view of Caravaca, and this makes it the star of a show which also features another 40 paintings, sculptures and historical documents.

Overall, the combined effect of all the exhibits is to portray something of the history and cultural heritage of the city through works of art, and it has taken considerable expense and time to study and restore the painting from the late 17^th century. For many years it was abandoned and neglected in a storage area of the parish church of La Purísima Concepción, but it has now been restored to its former glory.

The historical journey through Caravaca’s past begins a century earlier and the thread runs through the Renaissance and the baroque period while never losing sight of the spiritual importance of the city which was recognized in 1998 by Pope John Paul II, when he afforded it the status of Holy City.

“Magna Urbe” is open to visitors at the Antigua Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús from Tuesday to Saturday between 10.00 and 14.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 to 14.00 (except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day).

Twice a day there are guided visits (in Spanish) explaining the works included in the exhibition, at 12.30 and 17.30 – prior reservation for these visits is required by telephone on 616 717888 or by email at info@guiasmur.com.

NOTE: to make the most of your visit to Caravaca and the north-west of the Region of Murcia your first port of call should be the tourist office (Calle de las Monjas, 19, telephone 968 702424 / 968 701003, email turismo@caravacadelacruz.es).

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today