This document provides a summary of the history and prehistory of the Region of Murcia in Spain. It covers the following periods: 1. Prehistory from the Paleolithic era through the Metal Ages including Neanderthals, cave paintings, and archaeological remains from the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages. 2. Romanization beginning in the 1st century AD with remains found near the Baths of Fortuna including a Roman theater. 3. The Visigoths and Byzantines period after the fall of the Roman Empire, with notable figures like St. Leander and St. Isidore, and Byzantines rebuilding walls in Cartagena. 4. The Islamic

1. Tourist guide of the
Region of Murcia
By Sergio Buendía Cros
IES RAMÓN Y CAJAL
MURCIA

2. Prehistory.
•Prehistory is the period before the beginning of history, ranging from the
appearance of human beings until the invention of writing. Prehistory is
divided into two stages: the Stone Age and the Age of Metals.
- The Metal Age is the period from about the fourth and first millennium BC in
Spain. The Metal Age is divided into three stages: Copper Age, Bronze Age
and Iron Age.
- Paleolithic and Neolithic : Although some evidence that show the human
presence in the region have been recovered in recent years, since at least
300,000 years ago. Neanderthals, found in the Cabezo Gordo (Torre Pacheco)
or La Encarnación (Caravaca). In recent years important vestiges of the
Palaeolithic cave art haveappeared in three cavities called George cave, in
Cieza . In addition to this, the region of Murcia is one of the most privileged
areas of the peninsula in postpaleolític rock art manifestations, whose stations
are distributed from the sets of Monte Arabí (Yecla) until the of the Comarca
del Noroeste, emphasizing between all the of songs of visor (Yecla), House, the
Mojao and uncle Labrador (Lorca) the Peliciego, singing, good air and
Calesica (Jumilla), the Barranco de los Grajos .

3. Homo heidelbergensis- Cave painting
Cranium in Atapuerca. Pintura rupestre en lacueva de la paloma
(Paleolitico) (Neolitic)

4. Age of metals
Hill of the vineyards in Lorca Mazarron in Cartagena (Spain).
Cerro de las viñas en Lorca Mazarron en Cartagena (España)
(Bronze age) (The Iron age)
Oinochoes ibericos murcia
(The Iron age)(Phoenicians and Iberians)

5. Romanization.
- The only source of historians to study the Romanization of the region of Fortuna is archaeology,
and there are no references in classical authors in this area, limited mostly to Carthago Nova
and its immediate surroundings. The remains located in Fortuna, in the vicinity of the Baths of
Fortuna, are dated to the beginning of s. I A.D.
Roman Theatre
Teatro Romano

6. The visigoths and the Byzantines
Information:
- After the demise of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths took control of the province,
had struggles between Kings and nobles, and the Visigoth nobleman Athanagild
requested assistance to the Byzantine Empire.
- Two figures stand out in the politics and culture of the Visigoths: San Leandro and
San Isidoro.
- The Byzantines rebuilt the walls of Cartagena.

7. - Archaeological remains: The Basilica of Algezares. 6th century.

8. Islam
• The name refers to Theodemir, the Visigothic dux who ruled these lands
from Orihuela.
• During the peaceful period of the Caliphate, from 929 to 1031, the city of
Mursiya grew, prospered and acquired importance. This flourishing period it
was braking with the taifa period.
• After the unification of Al - Andalus by the Almoravids, later emerged the
second Taifa kingdoms. At this time, Murcia reached great hegemony
through on Mardanish, the Wolf King, who maintained friendly relations
with the Kingdom of Castile
• In 1172 the Almohads took Murcia, last city they had conquered Al -
Andalus. However, after the defeat of las Navas de Tolosa, his power came
again in crisis, producing an anti-Almohade uprising in the Valley of Ricote in
1228,

9. Pool Arab (13th century),
the courtyard to the
Alcázar of Murcia (region
of Murcia, Spain).
Museum of Santa Clara.

10. Muslim Murcia:
- At the beginning of 713 Muslim troops, commanded by Abdelaziz,
penetrated in the current region of Murcia and defeated the Visigoths.
- The autonomy of the Cora of Todmir was suppressed by the Abderraman I,
at the end of the 18th century. What originated strong revolts of the Mozarabs.
The main wealth at that time was agriculture, increasing the irrigation with the
norias and the walls and tower of Lorca.
Noria de
Alcantarilla
The walls and towers of Lorca.

11. Christian Murcia
- In 1243, the Emir of Murcia signed the capitulation of Alcaraz and became a vassal of
Fernando II. In exchange of his protection, Castile obtained an exit to Mediterranean Sea.
- Alfonso X began reforestation and land Christianization of Murcia.
-The Mudejar revolt against Castile.
- The stability was favored by the establishment of military orders.
-Also it was organizing the territory. The land in councils corollas land belonging to the
kingdom of Murcia were colonised by people from all over the Peninsula and parts of
Europe.
-For example the Tower of
homage of the castle of Moratalla:

12. Murcia in the era of the Catholic Kings
• Our Kingdom suffered large oscillations due to the
war of Granada during the reign of the Catholic
monarchs.
• The conquest of Granada in 1492 increased the
population and there was a development and
improvement of economy.
• The Mediterranean coast of the Mar Menor was
insecure due to the action of the North African.
• The Kingdom of Murcia was ruled by the Kings.
They pointed out: Pedro Fajardo y Juan Chacón.

13. The
lighthouse of
Cabo de
Palos, 16 Th
century

14. 16 Th century in Murcia
• The war of the communities and the lifting of the moriscos of Granada in 1568
affected to Murcia, especially in Lorca, who was border.
• At the end of the 15th century the population grew.
• It remained an important group of moriscos population in the region.
• Cartagena had an important port of Castile and Lorca, Moratalla Caravaca,
mule, Cieza, Jumilla and Yecla were primarily agricultural towns and market
centres, it was a wealth and it occupied most of the Murcia.

15. - The more important industry was the textile, highlight the silk and the official
product was aluminies of Mazarron.
- 16Th century there were major droughts.
Sanctuary of the Holy in Totana Castle of jumilla
Santuario de la santa en Totana Astillo de Jumilla

16. Church of el Salvador in Caravaca.
Iglesia del Salvador, en Caravaca de la cruz

17. Bibliography and web links:
- Corence Rure, T., (Coord.), Geografía e
Historia, 2º ESO, Madrid, 2007.
- http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historia_de_la_Regi%

18. END