ARCHENA TOWN

  • Home
  • Archena
  • What's On
    • What's On Archena
    • Venues & Public Areas
  • Tourist Information
    • Tourist information
    • What to See
    • History of Archena
    • Fiestas & Traditions
  • Local Information
    • Balneario Archena
    • Monuments, What to see
article_detail
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • WEEKLY BULLETIN
  • Region
  • Águilas
  • Alhama de Murcia
  • Jumilla
  • Lorca
  • Los Alcázares
  • Mazarrón
  • San Javier
  • ALL AREAS & TOWNS
    • AREAS
    • SOUTH WEST
    • MAR MENOR
    • MURCIA CITY & CENTRAL
    • NORTH & NORTH WEST
    • TOWNS
    • Abanilla
    • Abarán
    • Aguilas
    • Alamillo
    • Alcantarilla
    • Aledo
    • Alhama de Murcia
    • Archena
    • Balsicas
    • Blanca
    • Bolnuevo
    • Bullas
    • Cañadas del Romero
    • Cabo de Palos
    • Calasparra
    • Camping Bolnuevo
    • Campo De Ricote
    • Camposol
    • Canada De La Lena
    • Caravaca de la Cruz
    • Cartagena
    • Cehegin
    • Ceuti
    • Cieza
    • Condado de Alhama
    • Corvera
    • Costa Cálida
    • Cuevas De Almanzora
    • Cuevas de Reyllo
    • El Carmoli
    • El Mojon
    • El Molino (Puerto Lumbreras)
    • El Pareton / Cantareros
    • El Raso
    • El Valle Golf Resort
    • Fortuna
    • Fuente Alamo
    • Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
    • Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
    • Isla Plana
    • Islas Menores & Mar de Cristal
    • Jumilla
    • La Azohia
    • La Charca
    • La Manga Club
    • La Manga del Mar Menor
    • La Pinilla
    • La Puebla
    • La Torre
    • La Torre Golf Resort
    • La Unión
    • Las Palas
    • Las Ramblas
    • Las Ramblas Golf
    • Las Torres de Cotillas
    • Leiva
    • Librilla
    • Lo Pagan
    • Lo Santiago
    • Lorca
    • Lorquí
    • Los Alcázares
    • Los Balcones
    • Los Belones
    • Los Canovas
    • Los Nietos
    • Los Perez (Tallante)
    • Los Urrutias
    • Los Ventorrillos
    • Mar De Cristal
    • Mar Menor
    • Mar Menor Golf Resort
    • Mazarrón
    • Mazarrón Country Club
    • Molina de Segura
    • Moratalla
    • Mula
    • Murcia City
    • Murcia Property
    • Pareton
    • Peraleja Golf Resort
    • Perin
    • Pilar de la Horadada
    • Pinar de Campoverde
    • Pinoso
    • Playa Honda
    • Playa Honda / Playa Paraíso
    • Pliego
    • Portmán
    • Pozo Estrecho
    • Puerto de Mazarrón
    • Puerto Lumbreras
    • Puntas De Calnegre
    • Region of Murcia
    • Ricote
    • Roda
    • Roldan
    • Roldan and Lo Ferro
    • San Javier
    • San Pedro del Pinatar
    • Santiago de la Ribera
    • Sierra Espuña
    • Sucina
    • Tallante
    • Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
    • Torre Pacheco
    • Totana
    • What's On Weekly Bulletin
    • Yecla


  • Home
  • Areas
    • SOUTH WEST
    • MAR MENOR
    • MURCIA CITY & CENTRAL
    • NORTH & NORTH WEST
  • Towns
    • Abanilla
    • Abarán
    • Aguilas
    • Alamillo
    • Alcantarilla
    • Aledo
    • Alhama de Murcia
    • Archena
    • Balsicas
    • Blanca
    • Bolnuevo
    • Bullas
    • Cañadas del Romero
    • Cabo de Palos
    • Calasparra
    • Camping Bolnuevo
    • Campo De Ricote
    • Camposol
    • Canada De La Lena
    • Caravaca de la Cruz
    • Cartagena
    • Cehegin
    • Ceuti
    • Cieza
    • Condado de Alhama
    • Corvera
    • Costa Cálida
    • Cuevas De Almanzora
    • Cuevas de Reyllo
    • El Carmoli
    • El Mojon
    • El Molino (Puerto Lumbreras)
    • El Pareton / Cantareros
    • El Raso
    • El Valle Golf Resort
    • Fortuna
    • Fuente Alamo
    • Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
    • Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
    • Isla Plana
    • Islas Menores & Mar de Cristal
    • Jumilla
    • La Azohia
    • La Charca
    • La Manga Club
    • La Manga del Mar Menor
    • La Pinilla
    • La Puebla
    • La Torre
    • La Torre Golf Resort
    • La Unión
    • Las Palas
    • Las Ramblas
    • Las Ramblas Golf
    • Las Torres de Cotillas
    • Leiva
    • Librilla
    • Lo Pagan
    • Lo Santiago
    • Lorca
    • Lorquí
    • Los Alcázares
    • Los Balcones
    • Los Belones
    • Los Canovas
    • Los Nietos
    • Los Perez (Tallante)
    • Los Urrutias
    • Los Ventorrillos
    • Mar De Cristal
    • Mar Menor
    • Mar Menor Golf Resort
    • Mazarrón
    • Mazarrón Country Club
    • Molina de Segura
    • Moratalla
    • Mula
    • Murcia City
    • Murcia Property
    • Pareton
    • Peraleja Golf Resort
    • Perin
    • Pilar de la Horadada
    • Pinar de Campoverde
    • Pinoso
    • Playa Honda
    • Playa Honda / Playa Paraíso
    • Pliego
    • Portmán
    • Pozo Estrecho
    • Puerto de Mazarrón
    • Puerto Lumbreras
    • Puntas De Calnegre
    • Region of Murcia
    • Ricote
    • Roda
    • Roldan
    • Roldan and Lo Ferro
    • San Javier
    • San Pedro del Pinatar
    • Santiago de la Ribera
    • Sierra Espuña
    • Sucina
    • Tallante
    • Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
    • Torre Pacheco
    • Totana
    • What's On Weekly Bulletin
    • Yecla
  • Murcia News
  • Spanish News
  • Covid 19
  • Property News
    • Murcia Property News
    • All Murcia Property
    • Murcia Property Sales
    • Murcia Property Rentals
    • Legal & Financial
    • Murcia Property News
    • All Murcia Property
    • Murcia Property Sales
    • Murcia Property Rentals
    • Legal & Financial
  • Weather
  • Motoring
    & Travel
    • All Motoring & Travel News
    • Driving In Spain
    • Spanish Motoring Laws
  • What's On &
    Where To Go
    • What's On
    • Where To Go
    • Daily Events Diary
  • Lifestyle
    • Murcia LifeStyle
    • Sporting & Leisure
    • Murcia LifeStyle
    • Sporting & Leisure
    • Tips for Expats
    • Murcia Community
    • Tips for Expats
    • Murcia Community
  • EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
article_detail

The Palacete de Villa Rías, home to the esparto grass museum of Archena


The Palacete de Villa Rías, home to the esparto grass museum of Archena

The former stately home and gardens were built by the Vizconde de Rías in the late 19th century

The Palacete de Villa Rías is a palatial residence which was built on 5,500 metres of land in the centre of Archena in the late 19th century, when it was commissioned by José Bustos y Castilla, the Vizconde de Rías.

It was the Viscount’s family who had acquired the Balneario thermal spa resort of Archena in the 1850s after it was officially confiscated from the military and religious Order of San Juan, and who converted the spa resort into the most popular in Spain after the railway made Archena more accessible from the rest of the country. (See History of Archena)Although he had another residence in the city of Murcia, he required a summer retreat and chose Archena as the most appropriate location.

It has been speculated that the architect who designed the Palacete de Villa Rías was the Vizconde’s friend Justo Millán, who also designed the Teatro Romea and the Teatro-Circo Villar in Murcia as well as the bull rings of Murcia, Lorca, Cieza and Abarán. However, no documentary evidence has yet been uncovered to confirm or deny the idea.

The Palacete de Villa Rías, home to the esparto grass museum of Archena

Almost as important as the building itself to the aristocratic occupants were the gardens, and these still stand out as an idyllic setting in the heart of Archena. In fact, they are better maintained than the Palacete itself, and are filled with eucalyptus trees, carobs, jacarandas, a pergola, a waterfall and numerous plant species.

In 1956 the Palacete came into the hands of the Town Hall, and this is when the gardens became a public park, while the stately home was converted into a medical centre. It was later a residence for the elderly and for a while in the early 21st century the ground floor was brought into service as the tourist information office, but now it is home to the Museo del Esparto, a charming little esparto grass weaving museum which proves very popular among visitors to the Ricote valley.

Unfortunately the upper floor of the building has been allowed to fall into disrepair, and its former splendour is appreciable only from the outside, but the gardens and the exterior provide an insight into the wealth and luxury in which the owners of the thermal spa of Archena (and many of those who stayed there) lived over a century ago.

The Palacete de Villa Rías, home to the esparto grass museum of Archena

How to get to the Palacete de Villa Rías in Archena

The Palacete de Villa Rías, which houses the Museo de Esparto, is in the large shady public park alongside the Plaza 1 de Mayo in the centre of Archena.

For those approaching Archena from the A-30 motorway the advice is simple: follow the signs for the town centre from the exit at kilometre 121 of the motorway, entering the town on the MU-522. This takes you over the River Segura on the iron bridge and directly onto the main street, and at the top of the hill the gardens of Villa Rías are on the right.

Parking is normally available in the residential streets just past the park.

Click for further information about the Archena municipality


article_detail

Fiestas and Traditions
Corpus Christi in Archena

Colourful carpets of salt are laid in the streets prior to the procession of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi is a Christian..

Annual fiestas in Archena
Fiestas del Polvorín in Archena
General interest information Archena
De-stress at the fabulous spa..

Get away from it all at thermal spa resorts and thalassotherapy centres in the Costa Cálida Now that the summer holidays..

Accommodation at the Balneario de Archena thermal baths spa..
Ten things to see and do in Archena
Weekly Saturday market in Archena
Cultural venues and public spaces
The municipal sports complex of..

The Polideportivo is alongside the River Segura in the north of Archena The municipal sports complex of Archena provides..

The tourist office of Archena
The church of the Virgen de la Salud in the Balneario of Archena..
The Palacete de Villa Rías, home to the esparto grass museum..
Archena Balneario
De-stress at the fabulous spa..

Get away from it all at thermal spa resorts and thalassotherapy centres in the Costa Cálida Now that the summer holidays..

Thermal baths, spa circuit, swimming pools and beauty treatment..
Accommodation at the Balneario de Archena thermal baths spa..
The Balneario de Archena thermal spa baths and hotel complex
History of Archena
A history of Archena, a story..

The spa and the river in Archena have attracted settlers for at least the last 2,500 years The municipality of Archena..

The church of the Virgen de la Salud in the Balneario of Archena..
The Casino of Archena in the Balneario thermal spa complex
The Castillo de Don Mario in Archena
Tourist Information Archena
De-stress at the fabulous spa..

Get away from it all at thermal spa resorts and thalassotherapy centres in the Costa Cálida Now that the summer holidays..

Ten things to see and do in Archena
Corpus Christi in Archena
Museo del Esparto, the esparto grass weaving museum in Archena..
Markets and shopping
Leroy Merlin stores in the Region..

Everything you need to create your perfect home Leroy Merlin is one of the Region of Murcia’s top suppliers of..

Weekly Saturday market in Archena
Weekly Markets in central Murcia
article_detail
Find more information by AREA, TOWN or URBANISATION .....
The Mar Menor
Cabo de Palos
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
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 WindfoilsCAMPOSOL TODAY Whats OnCartagena SpainCoronavirusCorvera Airport MurciaMurcia Gota Fria 2019Murcia propertyParamount Theme Park MurciaWeekly Bulletin
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 966 260 896 / Office 968 018 268
Direct Payment | Terms And Conditons | Privacy Policy | Legal | About Us | Advertise With Us


To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today

Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.

Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.

When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:

Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com

Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc

Include all relevant points, including:

Who is the organisation running the event?

Where is it happening?

When?

How much does it cost?

Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?

…but try not to exceed 300 words

Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb