The history of Murcia

The history of Murcia is a history of crop growing, trade and INCURSIONS. Looking back to the early history (500+ B.C.) Murcia's initial residents - Iberian tribes - had already time-honoured trading ties with the Greeks and Phoenicians. Next Hannibal Barca and his multitudes from Carthage conquered the county founding Carthago Nova, which these days is the smart sea port of Cartagena.

Then, inescapably came the Romans and in the 5th Century the Visigoths (a German race) who conquered all of Spain under Euric then to be taken over by the Moors in 711.

The historical city of Murcia (then called Mursiya) was founded in 825 A.D by The Caliph of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman II. Founded on the site of an old Roman Colony there are still many Moorish touches there not least in the very impressive City walls.

Then came the civil war & the Caliphate was comquered by native Spaniards to make way for an independent kingdom, which included (at its height) part of the modern provinces of Almeria & Alicante. Quieter times followed until 1243 when Alfonso X of Castilla & Leon re-conquered Murcia and the surrounding Counties. Religeous oppression forced the largely Moslem community to become Christian. All 20 mosques were 'rehabilitated' into Christaian churches.

The town centre was sprinked with lots of elaborate palaces, decorated churches and the centrepiece was the gorgeous ornate cathedral. All the prosperity was largely down to the burgeoning silk and cultivating industries.

At the peak of Murcia's good times and development Napoleon Bonaparte spoiled things by wrecking and looting the County in 1810. Then came an epidemic of plague and Cholera.. After this Murcia's fortunes declined until the last Century when Murcia only had to be a minor city. There was terrible violence during the Civil War in 1936 and too many stunning monuments and churches were lost forever. Financial Deteriation also occurred as the previously very valuable silk market lost it's effectiveness against the onslaught of man made fibres.

The city is very much an attractive and beautiful destination having recently become a University City with a modern vivacious ambience yet retaining plenty of historical interest.

It seems the next chapter in the history of Murcia is underway, the latest invasion of Murcia is on and will again be from Northern Europe but this time the invaders will be golf course dwelling residents.

The economic welfare of Murcia is safe.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

Mr Marsh owns several web sites for Spanish property.Russell owns several Polaris World properties and is happy to give free help. Russell rents out Murcia property. Russell is an authorised agent of Polaris World Golf Resorts

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