Caravaca's Museo de la Fiesta unveils immersive 360 degree experience
Visitors can experience the origins of the Fiestas de la Cruz as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations in Caravaca de la Cruz
The Caravaca Museo de la Fiesta (Festival Museum) has unveiled a new immersive room that takes visitors on a journey through the origins and development of the Fiestas de la Cruz. Using 360 degree projection technology, the space surrounds guests with images and sound, offering a unique way to experience one of the Region of Murcia’s most important cultural events.
The immersive installation tells the story of how the celebrations in honour of the Santísima y Vera Cruz began and how they have evolved over time. The annual fiestas are held from May 1 to 5 and were the first in the Region to be declared of International Tourist Interest.
The grand opening is part of the programme for World Tourism Day, which is being marked this weekend with a series of activities. As part of the Municipal Museum Network’s open day, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy free entry to the new facility this Saturday September 27, from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 19:30.
“This space represents another step in our commitment to continue enhancing our traditions through innovative tools. Thanks to immersive technology, visitors will be able to understand the deep cultural and spiritual roots of our festivals in a unique way,” said Mayor José Francisco García.
“This initiative,” he added, “reinforces our sustainable tourism model, which embraces innovation without losing sight of our roots.”
The project represents an investment of €62,617, funded through the EU Next Generation programme.
Situated on the ground floor of the museum, the room has been specially adapted to accommodate the audiovisual experience. A high resolution projection system creates a panoramic view that fills the visitor’s field of vision. There is also synchronised surround sound and an advanced software platform that allows the content to be continuously updated.
"This project is a new step in the digitalisation challenge of our museum network. Technology at the service of culture and tradition is a key tool for reaching new audiences and enriching the visitor experience," concluded José Santiago Villa, Councillor for Tourism.
For more local information, including the Holy Jubilee Year as well as local news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today
Address
Calle De Las Monjas, 19, 30400 CARAVACA DE LA CRUZTel: 968 702424 / 968 701003
Oficina de Turismo de Caravaca de la Cruz
More information about the places of interest which can be visited in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz, along with what's on and local news can be found in the Caravaca Today.
Caravaca de la Cruz, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, is one of only 5 Holy Cities in the Roman Catholic world, a centre of pilgrimage, along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liebana, and is home to the Cross of Caravaca, the Vera Cruz.
The status of Holy City was bestowed by Pope John Paul II in 1998, granting the City a Permanent Jubilee year every 7 years for perpetuity, the first one held in 2003 and the next in 2024.
The strategic and natural advantages of Caravaca de la Cruz have attracted the attention of settlers for more than 800,000 years, the Cueva Negra yielding remains of Homo Heidelbergensis, forbears of the Neanderthals and the municipality also houses important archaeological remains from the Argaric, Iberian and Roman cultures. many of these can be seen in the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
As a border town caught between the Catholic forces of Castille and the last remaining Moorish stronghold in Spain, Granada, Caravaca had a turbulent medieval history, but it was during this period that the legend of the Cross of Caravaca was born, bringing the religious orders which shaped the structure of Caravaca today, with its impressive hilltop castle and eclectic collection of churches and monasteries, religious tourism today being a backbone of the town´s economy.
Caravaca de la Cruz is a municipality with important natural resources, including extensive forests, part of which have protected status due to their wealth of flora and fauna, and due to the abundant water supplies is also a major area for canned fruit production, apricots in particular being an important crop.
Caravaca is renown for its important May Fiestas, held in honour of the Vera Cruz, which also incorporate the Moors and Christians celebrations and the Running of the Wine Horses.
Caravaca de la Cruz is also the home of Europe´s largest collection of ethnic instruments at Barranda, the Museo de Música Étnica Barranda and is the location of the Barranda festival de Cuadrillas, which celebrates the Region's ethnic music traditions.
The municipality is home to around 26,000 inhabitants and shares boundaries with Moratalla, Cehegín, Lorca, Puebla de Don Fadrique in the province of Granada and Vélez-Blanco in the province of Almería.
Opening times:
Weekdays: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Saturdays: 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30
Sundays and public holidays: 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Caravaca de la Cruz Tourist Office
