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| Visit to Orihuela Tuesday 3rd June 2008 | ||
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Orihuela (known in Latin as Orcelis) is located in die southern part of the Comunidad Valenciana, about 50 kms from both Alicante and Murcia and is the capital of the prosperous agricultural region of the Vega Baja. Many of the most important cultural and artistic monuments in Aliante Province are located within the town centre, and in 1969 Orihuela was declared a National Spanish Historic. Artistic and Monumental Heritage Site. The town has been the home of numerous well known figures in the culture of Spain: the poet Miguel Hernandez (1910-42) was born, lived and worked here, as did the painter Joaquín Agrasot, and the town also served as the geographical inspiration for the novels of Alicante-born Gabriel Miró (1897-1930). Colegio Santo Domingo The construction of this building began in the 16th century for the Dominican order under the patronage of Fernando de Loazes. It is a real jewel of the Renaissance period, and was used as a University from 1610 to 1824. There are two magnificent cloisters, one from the Baroque period and the other from the Renaissance period. The entrance to the Sacristy is also remarkable, as is the Refectory with its decorative 18th century Valencian tiles. Casa-Museo de Miguel Hernández The Ayuntamiento of Orihuela acquired this house in 1981, where Miguel Hernandez had lived from the age of four years. It was completely restored in 1985. funded by the Banco Exterior de Espana. The house where the poet lived contains many of his contemporary personal effects and photographs. It is a typical town house, with a well in the patio and a small orchard-garden where the poet used to sit and read under the shade of the fig tree. Museo de Semana Santa This museum houses the majority of the processional thrones and sculptures which are paraded during Easter Week in Orihuela. The Holy Week Festival is a profoundly religious celebration, deeply rooted in tile traditions of the town. Brotherhoods process through the streets, recounting the passion and death of Jesus in sculpture, statues, carvings and other religious images. Santa Iglesia Catedral del Salvador Originally built as a parish church in the 13th century over the old Aljama mosque, this finally became a cathedral in the 16th century. It belongs to the style known as Catalan Gothic, with three main entrances, two from the Gothic period and one from the Renaissance period. Of note in the interior are the Baroque organ dating from 1733, the ornamental ironwork and the 18th century choir. Back to top Back to Articles page
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