October 11 Guided tour of the castle of Jumilla

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Fantastic views from the historic 14^th-century fortress which oversaw the development of Jumilla over the centuries

October 11 Guided tour of the castle of Jumilla In the clear air of autumn the views which can be enjoyed in the vast landscapes of the north of Murcia are quite breathtaking, and few are more impressive than those from the castle of Jumilla, perched high above the town and looking out over flat plains and the mountains of Sierra del Carche and the other ranges in the Altiplano.

These are just one of the reasons why this guided tour of the castle (in Spanish) on Sunday 11^th October is highly recommended, at the same time learning about the restored 14^th century castle and fortress and the history of the town itself. The visit begins at 11.00 at the entrance to the castle (best reached by car), but participants should contact the tourist office beforehand to ensure that their vehicle is allowed access.

In addition, the timing of the tour gives you plenty of time afterwards to enjoy a hearty lunch in one of the welcoming restaurants in the old town, and take in some of the sights in and around the charming Plaza de Arriba!

The price of joining the visit is just 2.50 euros and reservations can be made either via the tourist office (Plaza del Rollo, 1, telephone 663 300779) or through the regional tourist board website here.

For more local news, events and visiting information please contact the tourist office (telephone 968 780237, email oficinaturismo@jumilla.org) or go to the home page of Jumilla Today.

Address

Plaza del Rollo, 1 30520 JUMILLA

Tel: 968 780237 / 663 300779

Oficina de Turismo Jumilla

The tourist office in the centre of Jumilla is easily found by driving straight into the centre of the town along the Avenida de Murcia and following the signposts. The tourist office is alongside the Parque de Don Albano Martínez Molina, where there are a number of parking spaces.

Jumilla, in the north of the Region of Murcia, has become internationally famous over recent decades due to the quality of the wines produced in the municipality, and wine tourism has begun to attract visitors from other parts of Spain and the rest of Europe.

The tourist office is happy to provide a range of maps and leaflets showing the different bodegas which can be visited within the municipality. Some of these form part of the Rutas del Vino de Jumilla, the Jumilla wine route, and can either be visited as a guided tour or sell their produce directly to the public.(see feed below for more details)

However, the town and the surrounding countryside have plenty of other attractions for visitors, and the popularity of Jumilla wines is leading more and more people to discover other facets of the tenth largest municipality in Spain.

Jumilla Tourist Office

These include the spectacular countryside and birdlife in the Sierra del Carche, the historic remains which range from cave paintings and a Roman mausoleum to the castle, the Iglesia de Santiago, the Town Hall and the Teatro Vico, and the gastronomy: rich stews are accompanied not only by the wines of the area but also by Jumilla pears, which also enjoy Denomination of Origin status.

Tourism in Jumilla is not as seasonal as it is in the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia, but the town is at its liveliest during the fiestas in Holy Week and the August Fair, which incorporates the grape harvest celebrations and the Moors and Christians parades.

The Altiplano of the Region of Murcia, which consists of the municipalities of Jumilla and Yecla, is only just over an hour by car from the Mar Menor, Cartagena, Mazarrón, Torrevieja and Alicante, and anyone wishing to visit real inland Spain and world-class wineries is advised to include Jumilla in their schedule.