Metal Plates Describing Historical Events in Murcia

Walking the streets of Murcia, next to some buildings you will see a little metal plate placed by the Murcia City Hall describing interesting things that happened in that exact place many years ago. The translation of the 17 plates we have found is as follows:

 

1 - Plaza Santo Domingo.

In this place justice was done on July 15, 1824 by hanging the famous bandit Jaime Alfonso, known as El Barbudo, whose body was cut in five pieces and then fried and exhibited in public to make an example."

 

2 - Plaza Santa Catalina

"This place, main city square after the reconquest of Spain, was home to public trials, hangings, council meetings on Wednesday and meetings of the council of good men."

 

3 - Calle Arzobispo Simón López

"For over 500 years, this street was home to food houses still standing in which the excellent Murcia dishes were served to people from out of town who came to be part of markets and festivities."

 

4 - Plaza Hernández de Amores, -Plaza de la Cruz- next to Cathedral of Murcia

"In this place people from Malta, Genoa and Catalonia got wealthy in the 14^th century with their fabric businesses on workshops; hence the name of the street: Trapería (meaning: "thrift store")

 

5 - Calle Tomás Maestre

"The street is where Sol Square, described as "rich, with its large river bank and parapet of the riversides of Murcia". Graduate Francisco Cascales, 1621.

 

6 - Calle Santa Teresa

"Up until the 18^th century, the BIB ASSOQ or Medieval Souk Gate was home to the Muslim street market."

 

7 - Calle Gómez Cortina

"This street, previously called Aguadores, is where Murcian people got water from the Aljufía irrigation ditch to supply the city and extinguish fires."

 

8 - Calle Santo Cristo. University of Murcia
This is where PUERTA NUEVA (new gate) was located. The gate was “the best city exit and point of leisure, as four different irrigation ditches merged here. Near this water-abundant area, there were flowers, trees and plenty of grass creating a truly enjoyable and pleasant landscape”. Graduate Francisco Cascales, 1621.

 

9 - Chapel of Our Lady of Pilar

"This is an area where craftsmen treating glass and stained glass were located. The street, known with this name back in 1395, was chosen by Emperor Carlos V to enter Murcia on December 5, 1541."

 

10 - Hotel Victoria

"Up until the year 1820, this is the place were the famous Medieval Fortress was located. The building, home to the Inquisition tribunal, was later demolished so that Hotel Victoria could be built."

 

11 - Hotel Victoria

This is the spot on which Bad Alcantara or the Bridge Gate separating the Christian and Arab territories was placed by the King Alfonso X."

 

12 - Carmen Church - Plaza de González Conde

"This is the place where, since January 27, 1713, the Cathedral and El Carmen council meet to receive Our Lady of Fuensanta, Patron Saint of Murcia."

 

13 - Calle Isabel La Católica

"This used to be the famous Calle de Poco Trigo (street of little wheat), so called because noblemen who were members of novelty despite not having a penny to their name, used to live here."

 

14 - Calle Isidoro de la Cierva - Former Post Office Building

"This was home to the Comedy House, replacing the Toro gate after its demolition as medieval city access in 1610."

 

15 - Calle de la Aurora

"It is called: Calle de la Aurora, with the arch in the middle, blue-colored lime, connecting to the area of the Southern neighborhood through an eternally humble and short street." Jorge Guillén.

 

16 - Calle Vinader

"Number 6 in this street is where the house-workshop of Francisco Salzillo was located, a brilliant Murcian artist who died in March 2, 1783 after having created some sculptural masterpieces."