The Plaza del Arco in Caravaca de la Cruz

A historic plaza used during many events in Caravaca de la Cruz

The Plaza del Arco is the centre of historic Caravaca de la Cruz and is accessed via a deep archway which incorporates rooms belonging to the Town Hall. This is the first building entering the plaza on the right-hand side if approaching from the Avenida de la Constitución.

The baroque building, approved in 1737, was designed by Jaime Bort, who was also responsible for the baroque façade of the Cathedral of Murcia. However, it was later modified by Friar Juan de Santa Teresa and Juan García, and construction work itself was supervised by Caravaca-born Antonio del Campo.

During this same amplification project the Plaza del Arco itself was also modelled.

At this period in history the urban development of many towns and cities across Europe was driven by the creation of plazas. These open spaces were engineered to reinforce the power of the state, and were generally dominated by an administrative building, forming the focal point for activities in the town, always overseen and controlled by the state.

What is now known generally as the Plaza del Arco is still also called by its official title of Plaza del Ayuntamiento, although has changed its name several times throughout history as socio-political changes took place in Spain. It has been called the Plaza de la Constitución (referring to the 1812 law), Plaza Isabel II, Plaza de José Antonio and, latterly, Plaza del Arco.

The plaza is still a central focal point of the city and is fringed with bars and cafés, souvenir shops and municipal buildings, acting as the focal point for many fiestas and celebrations held in the town (such as the Moors and Christians, Semana Santa and the running of the Wine Horses in early May). It is also a popular location for artisan markets and cultural events.

There is little parking close to the plaza itself and on festival days access to the plaza is closed off. It’s better to seek parking in the main Gran Vía or park around the back of the old quarter and walk in. It is possible to drive through the plaza and into the old quarter when there are no events taking place, but the faint-hearted should be warned that it can be stressful driving into an old quarter which has narrow streets and a convoluted one way system!

Click for map, Plaza del Arco, Caravaca de la Cruz.

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