In Cieza, striking landscapes meet traces of different eras. You can explore the Segura and its riverside paths, or take time to visit rock art, archaeological sites and museums. The range of themes provides a good basis for planning a stay around your own interests.
Gorge, River and Routes
The Cañón de Almadenes is almost 4 kilometres long and more than 150 metres deep. It is home to various birds of prey, including Bonelli’s eagle, and is considered the region’s most important refuge for the otter; the region’s largest population of this species lives here. As well as its striking dimensions, the gorge is therefore especially important for wildlife.
Along the Segura, the 7.5-kilometre Ruta de los Puentes takes in various bridges and footbridges that cross Cieza. The Sendero Azul Paseo Ribereño runs along both banks of the river and passes through a range of landscapes with diverse flora and fauna. Both routes follow the Segura but have different focuses: one leads over bridges and footbridges, while the other runs along both riverbanks.
There is also the 13.7-kilometre VĂa Verde del Chicharra Cieza for hiking and cycling, following the former railway line of the “Chicharra” railway. Its section in Cieza is also part of the Camino de la Vera Cruz pilgrimage route to Caravaca. Another option is the VĂa Verde de la FloraciĂłn de Cieza: its route covers almost 10 kilometres and can be combined with other paths to create a circular route of almost 40 kilometres.
Rock Art and Archaeological History
The Cueva-Sima de la Serreta brings together several archaeological themes. Its rock art includes Palaeolithic, Levantine and schematic depictions. More than fifty figures are spread across two panels; they belong to schematic rock art, including some figures in a semi-naturalistic style. Evidence of settlement ranges from the Neolithic through Romanisation to the Islamic Middle Ages. Rock art of these types from several caves in the area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Medina Siyasa also offers an insight into the history of the area. The archaeological site comprises around 700 houses built in the 11th century; its heyday was in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, some of the houses, along with their associated streets and walls, can be seen. At the Museo de Siyasa, scale models of houses 6 and 10 complement the visit. The museum also has a collection and exhibition featuring more than 90,000 objects from archaeology, art, science and ethnography.
Buildings, Crafts and Seasonal Highlights
The BalcĂłn del Muro connects an old fortress from the 15th century with the present-day wall, built in 1898. The main façade of the BasĂlica de Ntra. Sra. de la AsunciĂłn features reliefs with Baroque volutes; the church has three naves. The Museo Molino de Teodoro is housed in an old mill dating from 1507. Each of these buildings and collections offers a different focus, from military history and church architecture to a historic mill building.
The Pequeño Museo del Esparto focuses on traditional manual processing methods, along with the equipment and tools used for them. Visits are arranged in advance and include demonstrations of esparto crafts and the making of yarn and scouring pads; confirm your visit before travelling.
The Floración de Cieza takes place at the end of winter. Visitors are drawn to the fields of peach, plum, almond, apricot, Paraguayo and nectarine trees. A fair and patron saint festivities in honour of San Bartolomé are also held in Cieza; the dates vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around the blossom season or a festival, take the relevant dates into account.
Discover more destinations: Mazarron, Mula, La Condomina, Sucina, Cánovas, Fuente Alamo De Murcia, Aljucer, Atamaria.
See the broader travel guide: Murcia.
