May 17 Guided tour IN ENGLISH of the Las Paleras archaeological site in Alhama de Murcia

Las Paleras was among the earliest settlements built by the Moors in Murcia in the 8^th century

May 17 Guided tour IN ENGLISH of the Las Paleras archaeological site in Alhama de Murcia This tour is an unusual opportunity to see and learn about the Las Paleras archaeological site which has been discovered behind the castle on the hill behind Alhama de Murcia, and begins at 9am on Saturday May 17 at the Tourist Office.

Las Paleras was a fortified settlement in the Moorish administrative area of Tudmīr and ítems found there show that it was inhabited between the 8^th and 10^th centuries. It is quite common for this type of location to have been used for early settlements as the site is strategic and offers protection as well as good visibility of the surrounding area. Most probably, an early simple fortification, or "hisn", would have been built beneath the existing mediaeval castle, as is the case in several other areas of the region, offering protection for livestock and residents should danger threaten.

The settlement of which the remains have been found occupied an area of around 20,000 square metres and was surrounded by a wall with defensive towers. In the highest part was a fortified castle which seems to have been among the first built by the Muslim conquerors of southern Spain after the year 712, and is influenced by the building style of the Middle East.

The town was destroyed by fire in the second half of the 10th century and was abandoned, but Las Paleras will now form a part of the “Islamic Route” of Alhama de Murcia, which links the Ibn Al-Jatib rout with the European itinerary of Almoravid and Almohad Culture in the Legacy of Al-Andalus between Murcia and Granada.

The tour in May is conducted in English and last two hours, costing just €3 for adults and €2 for children aged 3-12. Bookings can be made through the tourist office of Alhama (telephone 0034 968 633 512, email turismo@alhamademurcia.es), at the archaeological museum itself (telephone 0034 968 630 776, email museoarqueologico@alhamademurcia.es) or online here.

NOTE: The tour is being held in Spanish on the same day, 2 hours later and group bookings can be made on other dates through the tourist office.

Please consult the tourist office about the possibility of arranging group visits on other dates if required!

For more information about Alhama, including news and upcoming events, visit the local tourist office or go to the home page of Alhama Today

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Address

Tourist Office Alhama de Murcia, Plaza Constitucion. Frente Auditorio, nº 10, 30840, ALHAMA DE MURCIA

Tel: 968 633 512

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Oficina de Turismo de Alhama de Murcia

Alhama de Murcia Tourist Office

Alhama de Murcia Tourist information office is located on the edge of the Plaza de la Constitución, just a few metres away from the underground car park and the Town hall of Alhama de Murcia.

The tourist office offers free guided audiotours in English which take visitors around the historical sites of interest in Alhama. These be loaned at any time, although allow an hour and a half to complete the tour, and when loaning the audio equipment visitors are asked to leave passports or ID cards with the tourist office.

The office also carries a full range of leaflets for the archaeological museum of Los Baños, which is built around the historic spa which gives Alhama its name, and the mountains of Sierra Espuña, which is also an important area within the municipality of Alhama. Areas such as El Berro and Gebas have a number of interesting routes which can be followed and there are several picnic areas and good walking routes within the Sierra Espuña natural park.

The tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year, including Los Mayos, Semana Santa, Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro.