Plaza Vieja in Alhama de Murcia

The former hub of social, political and economic life in Alhama

The Plaza Vieja in Alhama de Murcia was the centre of local social, political and economic life in the town from the mid-14th century until as recently as the early 20th century, when it gave way to the marketplace in what is now the Jardín de Los Patos.

Until the 1950s there was no running water in private homes, so the townspeople would come to this square to collect water from the "Collao" spring at the Fuente del Caño and water-sellers would also draw water to deliver to homes further away. In 1920 Lorenzo Rubio installed two water taps, one in the marketplace and the other in the Plaza de la Concepción, both fed by water from the same spring.

The square was remodelled in the 1950s and 1990s, and the tap known as the Fuente del Pilar was re-named the Fuente de la Virgen del Pilar, with a niche for the figure of the Virgin being installed above it. At the same time the square was enlarged and another ornamental fountain was removed.

Nowadays, this is a cool and comfortable place to stop for a rest when walking around the town, with a water pipe and seats still to be found in the corner of the Plaza. Some of the most important former residences of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Alhama are to be found here, and one of them is now home to the Centro Cultural y Sala de Exposiciones Plaza Vieja, which is used for exhibitions throughout the year.

Plaza Vieja in Alhama de Murcia

A curious legend exists that early in the 19^th century a coffin arrived in Cartagena from an unknown destination, crossing Spain to La Coruña and stopping off in this very location. As it travelled it left in its wake a trail of bloody murders, bloodlettings and incidents of vampirism which formed what became known as the route of "horror", and who knows what legacy may have been given to the places where it stopped. Local legends run riot when discussing the trail of what was left in Alhama that night, although the anecdote has never been confirmed through any documented evidence...

The Plaza Vieja is one of the stopping-off points of the FREE ENGLISH language audiotour offered by the municipal tourist office (also provides street maps, leaflets etc) which can be followed by visitors at their leisure. Click for full information

For more local information in English about the Alhama de Murcia municipality, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.

Find more information by AREA, TOWN or URBANISATION .....

South West Murcia

Aguilas
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana

North & North West Murcia

Bullas
Calasparra
Caravaca de la Cruz
Cehegin
Cieza
Fortuna
Jumilla
Moratalla
Mula
Yecla

Murcia Central

Abanilla
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina

Urbanisations

Camposol
Condado de Alhama
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig Town Page

Important Topics:

AFS Windfoils CAMPOSOL TODAY Whats On Cartagena Spain Coronavirus Corvera Airport Murcia Murcia Gota Fria 2019 Murcia property Paramount Theme Park Murcia Weekly Bulletin