December 1 Free guided tour of the legacy of the Franciscan Order in Yecla
One of the seeds from which the post-medieval town of Yecla grew in the 16th and 17th centuries
This free visit in Yecla, in the north of the Region of Murcia, traces the monuments left to the town by the Franciscan Order in centuries past, including the Chapel of the Virgen de las Angustias and the monumental church of San Francisco. The splendour of the architecture stands testimony to the importance of the “Orden Franciscana y la Venerable Orden Tercera” in Yecla, and the tour includes explanations of some of the unusual decorative elements and devotional figures employed in the architecture.
Pride of place perhaps goes to the collection of sculpted figures in the Virgen de las Angustia tableau, created by Francisco Salzillo in 1763, but construction started a good deal earlier in the 16th and 17th centuries. According to some historians, it was the seed from which the current town of Yecla eventually grew along with the earlier Iglesia de la Asunción, and the large bell gable which stands at the top of the façade was added in the early 18th century. In 1725 permission was granted to build a chapel dedicated to the Virgen de las Angustias as an annex to the monastery church.
The tour begins at 10.30 outside the church of San Francisco (click here for map) and lasts approximately 2 hours. Registration costs 10 euros (for the visit to the winery and a tasting) and can be carried out online here.
Comfortable footwear is recommended.
If visiting Yecla make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, email turismo@yecla.es, telephone 968 754104).
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Address
Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Arcos, s/n 30510 YECLATel: 968 754 104
Oficina de Turismo de Yecla
Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia, home to just under 35,000 people, and these days is best known for its wines, which enjoy Denomination of Origin status, and its furniture production, which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux.
While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism, the town (or city, as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical, cultural and natural heritage, and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia. For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area.
Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia. These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place, crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí, with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors, the gastonomy and of course the wine route.
Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí, a Bronze Age settlement at El Arabilejo, Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town. More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre, which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima, with its striking blue dome, the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor, where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos, the clock tower and the old grain store.
The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets, maps, pre-planned routes, accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups.
There is parking close to the tourist office, although those driving to Yecla for the first time are advised to park in Calle Perales.
For further information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8.00 to 15.00
Saturdays 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.30.
Public holidays 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Yecla tourist office
