Moratalla is a perfect destination to enjoy of the peace and quiet of its natural surroundings, thanks to the beauty of this landscape.
It belongs to the region of Murcia, and within it, you will find many protected natural areas, so you can imagine the impressive panoramic views that you will find in this place.
Dating from the Roman times, this town is divided into several smaller separated districts, each of them with its own special charm.
Moratalla is also one of the most populated towns of the region of Murcia, its population reaching almost 10,000 inhabitants.
In terms of its tourism, Moratalla has become one of the main precursors of rural tourism in this region, thanks to the quality of the accommodations that can be found here, as well as to its great location, which have meant an increase in the popularity of this place amongst nature and culture lovers.
For this reason, tourism has become one of the pillars of the economic activity of Moratalla, together with agriculture, and cattle raising.
One of the peculiar things about Moratalla is the name itself, which in Latin means “murata tallea”, or wooden fortified city.
It is also known that this town was inhabited already in prehistoric times, since several archaeological findings with cave paintings have been found, currently inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and which amount to more than a 50% of the total of cave painting which have been found in the region of Murcia.
This is a place with much yet to be discovered, and where many legends are hiding in small villages such as El Sabinar, Béjar, or San Juan.
If you would like to know more about what places to visit during your stay, we can give you some ideas for you, so that you don’t miss anything out.
Starting with the highest part of this town, you will find here what is left of an old fortress, and of the Torre del Homenaje. From there, you will be able to enjoy of some spectacular views of Moratalla and its surroundings.
And, of course, in the archaeological sites you will be able to enjoy discovering the cave paintings that we mentioned before, and will take you in a journey centuries back to the Prehistoric era, as well as several museums that will allow you to learn more about them and about how communities lived back in that time.
Within the town’s center, on the other hand, you will find many religious buildings that you must check out before you leave, such as the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, or Santuario de la Rogativa.
If you have decided to come and visit Moratalla, before you finish packing your suitcase, we recommend you check out the weather forecast, so that you make an informed decision with regards of the appropriate clothes for it.
The climate here is considered to be of the of the Mediterranean kind, although this place is slightly colder than the average temperature of Murcia, in general. If you are coming during winter, you mustn’t forget to pack an umbrella and some boots fit for snow weather, since it wouldn’t be too strange if you came across a snowfall or two during your stay, this time of the year, since they are very frequent, but not very heavy.
Summers here, on the other hand, are quite hot and dry, completely turning the temperatures over.
Another of the main sources of its tourist activity, as well as one of the main attractions of this place, is its gastronomy, with plenty of local and typical products from Moratalla.
If there is an important festivity, there must be sweet for it, or so it seems to be the rule here, as the traditional ‘polvorones’, ‘mantecados’, and ‘cordiales’ (an almond and pastry filling based delicacy) are proof of it, as all of them are eaten especially in Chritmas. And also eaten during Christmas is the local marzipan from Moratalla, usually filled with yolk cream.
For starters, you have ‘andrajos’, and other dishes such as roasted lamb, ‘conejo con verduras’, are included as the more filling one, together with the traditional ‘migas’, or raw meats, such as the famous ones elaborated in San Juan.
And, to finish up this gastronomic journey to the culinary tradition of Murcia, don’t forget to try the local wine, of very intense flavor.
Last, but not least, we must let you know that Murcia is perfectly communicated with the rest of Spain, which means that if you have decided to travel by car, you can do so via any of the state motorways that connect the south of the peninsula with the northern areas.
If, on the contrary, you were thinking about coming from the sea, Murcia is home to one of the biggest and busiest harbors in Spain, most of it due to the affluence of tourists.
Other options of transport include arriving by train, or plane, also with very good connections to Moratalla.
