From the Hotel Cenajo is is possible to make some interesting excursions:
CANYON OF ALMADENES: It’s a boat trip suitable for all ages, it runs along a natural park which is located at the foot of “Sierra del Molino” (The Mill Mountain Range), called Canyon of Almadenes”. The tour is about 5 km long on a rubber raft and it takes about one and a half hours. There is a stop, half way through the journey to see the CAVE PAINTINGS. They are considered as Humanity Heritage. At this spot you can observe the autochthonous and protected flora and fauna, such as herons, hammers, turtles, mastic tree, horsetail, etc.
Canyon of Almadenes
PORT CAVE:
SITUATION: 35 Km. away. Setting off from the hotel towards Calasparra – Murcia, exit at VENTA REALES.
TIMETABLE: The visit will take place, if the clients wish, after the boat trip , around 18:30 on Saturday and it will finish at about 19,30.
TRIP: By car, in private vehicles. We will set off all together from the hotel till we reach the cave in order to avoid anyone getting lost. The guide will drive at the front leading the journey.
CHARACTERISTICS: It is 11.800 m metres long in all, galleries and rooms, although we will only visit 350 metres leaving the rest for those ones who choose sport speleology. The journey is completely lighted, with stairs and extremely wide, preventing you from feeling claustrophobic. It is a guided tour with a group leader and it takes about 40 minutes. You descend 52 metres below the entrance level during the visit.
ROOMS TO VISIT: Sala Gaudi (Gaudí Room), Sotano de la Sala Gaudi (Gaudí Room Basement), Sala de la Medusa (Jelly fish Room), Pozo de los Deseos (Well of the Wishes), or the also called Zona de las Cortinas (The Curtains Area)
Caravaca de la Cruz.
TOLMO OF MINATEDA To show examples of the diverses cultures that has been living in the area it is necessary to emphasize the archaeological deposit of the Tolmo de Minateda, (33 km from Cenajo, near Hellín). It was occupied in the Bronze Age (around 1500 BC) and in Islamic times (10th Century AD). The city took the name of llunum in Roman times and Eio or Elo by the Visigoths, whereas the Arabs knew it as Madînat Yyih.
At the entrance to the old access road, a branch road runs adjacent and can be clearly observed. The route ran firstly from Cartagena to Alcala de Henares and later continued to Toledo. This route was much used by transitory people, cavalry and carts with iron rimmed wheels. In these times it was a very important road. The access is protected by an impressive set of gates which bear various distinct constructive techniques and features.
Tolmo of Minateda
SANCTUARY OF THE HOPE: It is one the most beautiful spots in the Region of Murcia. It is 24 km away from the hotel, towards the town of Calasparra where the river Segura flows. The Virgin’s Hermitage is situated in a natural cave, which was dug out by the river thousands of years ago. This fact makes of it a really beautiful place, where nature has created a lovely retreat for praying and relaxing next to the rice fields whose rice is the only one with denomination of origin.
SANCTUARY OF THE HOPE
RIOPAR Riópar is in the southeast part of the region of Albacete some 60km away from the hotel and in the heart of the “Sierra de Alcaraz y Segura” (The mountain range of Alcaraz and Segura). The mountain “Los Chorros” (The Spirts) stands out against all the rest because of its exceptional beauty. They are situated 9 km away from the village, where the “Cueva de los Chorros” (The Spirts Cave) opens on a huge steep rock, over 300 metres high and it is from this cave that the River Mundo begins to flow.
The ecosystem in this area is one of the most important ones in the Peninsula. The vegetation covering consists of vast pinewoods, which covers the original Mediterranean forest. Among a large of variety of species, we find different types of pine trees, such as laricio, oaks, elms, ash-trees, etc. as well as a large selection of aromatic and medicinal plants.
Fauna offers a great diversification, too. In addition, we can see big birds of prey such as the golden eagle, Bonelli’s eagle; nocturnal birds of prey such as the eagle owl, little owls and tawny owls together with all kinds of smaller woodland birds. Among the animals there are fox, the wild boar, the Hispanic goat and the “muflón” (a kind of wild sheep). There are also reptiles, including the extremely dangerous Vipera Latasty and the Valverde lizard, an endemic kind from the mountain range of Alcaraz and Segura (Sierras de Alcaraz y Segura)
MORATALLA: Moratalla Castle is located at the top of the conical hill, the original city centre and stands on Neolithic and Iberian remains. The remains of the Iberian wall can be seen on the northeast angle formed by the “Torre del Homenaje” (The Tower of the Honouring). The first Islamic structure was built in the IX century and was conquered by the Order of Santiago in 1242 and it became the headquarters of the “Encomienda” (The Command), who introduced improvements and gave its present aspect. The “Torre del Homenaje” (The Tower of the Honouring) was built in the XV century and has a Gothic military Levantine style. It consists of three floors: - Cistern. - Armour Room. - Honouring Room. - And a Terrace. At the moment just the “Torres Desmochadas” (Lopped Towers) and the old building walls are present. We know through the “Visitaciones de la Orden” (the Visitations of the Order) that the castle had all the necessary outbuildings around a courtyard, from which the original paved area is still seen. The buildings on the north side lead to the courtyard through a porch gallery supported by 5 columns and a passage.
Moratalla. Fiestas & Castle
Caravaca´s Castle and Sanctuary.
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ: Caravaca de la Cruz is a town situated in a bordering enclave between Murcia and Granada successively Iberians Romans and Muslims passed along this town. It is built around its castle, which was built up by the command of the Templars. But Caravaca is basically the Holy City, the city of the cross, which holds its name.
The Sanctuary has recently been granted the celebration of a JUBILEE YEAR, by the Holy See. This granting was given for and because of the devotion to the VERA CRUZ. It is similar to the traditional concessions to Santiago de Compostela and Saint Toribio de Liébana. The new regular granting of Jubilees indulgences along every Holy Year to the faithful and pilgrims who visit the Santuario de la Santísima y Vera Cruz (the Sanctuary of the most Holy and Vera Cross) takes place at the following dates and occasions: † The3rd May and the 14th September, Festivities of the Invention and Exaltation of the Most Holy Cross. † Whenever they go devotedly on a group pilgrimage to the Sanctuary. † Once a year, on the day the faithful Freely. † Every seven years, on the days when the solemn opening and closing of the Jubilee Year is celebrated, and on any other day of the same year when the bishop presides any solemn ceremonies.
“SALMERON AND LAS MINAS. HANNIBAL’S ROUTE”
Just 12 km away from the Cenajo Hotel we can visit the districts of SALMERON (in the region of Murcia) and THE MINES (in the region of Albacete). Both of them are situated in a mountainous and sunny area. The rice fields are typical, the rice is commercialised from Calasparra (it is the only rice that has got denomination of origin). This fertile land is watered by both the river Segura and river Mundo.
In the district of Salmerón we can see the remains of an old volcano, popularly known as El Cerro del Monaguillo (The Hill of the Altar Boy). Nowadays, Las Minas is a little trace of a sulphur society in the early twentieth century, tens of families earned their living here. Remains of the ovens where the mineral was burnt to extract the yellow, melted and solidified sulphur can still be seen, as well as the cave-houses where the families lived.
Some sign posts remind you that Hannibal crossed this land with his troops on his way to conquer Rome, with 20,000 infantry, 20,000 horsemen and 90 elephants. Certainly it has got an exceptional beautiful landscape and a great aesthetical value. Do not leave without visiting El Pantano de Camarillas ( The Reservoir of Camarillas).
HOW TO GET THERE: From Hotel Cenajo, 4 km away towards Calasparra, cross over towards Las Minas. 12 km to Salmerón, 14 km to Las Minas, 17 km to Pantano Camarillas.
Canyon near Las Minas Village. River Segura at Salmerón.
The Reservoir of Camarillas
HANDCRAFTED GOODS MARKET Street markets are held in the nearby towns every month. Here you can find typical products from the region. Most of the markets offer handcrafted goods, this activity is very well established in the Region of Murcia. We can still find workshops where they keep the procedures and techniques they used so long ago. Objects and wooden tools, clay, esparto, wickerwork, iron, silk embroidery, Christmas cribs, carved crystal, pottery…A wide range of goods is offered.
BULLAS: EL ZACATIN MARKET. Place: Plaza Vieja y del Castillo Date: FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH. From 9.00 to 14.00 Products: Pottery, forge, wood, looms, organic agriculture, honey , bread, cakes, wine, cheese, sausages, natural cosmetic products , “jarapas”, miniatures, esparto, etc. MULA: THE FOUR SQUARES HANDCRAFTED GOODS MARKET: Place: Plaza del Ayuntamiento Date: SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH (from October to May). From10.00 to 14.00. Products: Sausages, bread, pottery, rugs, cheese, esparto, painting, crafts, etc.
CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ: DE LA CORREDERA MARKET. Place: Plaza San Juan de la Cruz Date: THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH (except July and August). From 10.00 to 14.00. Products: Nougat y cakes, bread, cheese, sausages, cabinet-making, beekeeping, wood work, wickerwork and puppets.
CEHEGIN: EL MENSONCICO MARKET. Place: Centro histórico-artístico. Date: LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. Products: Pottery, ceramics, cakes, bread, cheese, sausages, crafts, etc.
Occasionally there are some complementary activities, such as shows performed by the craftsmen and typical and traditional food tasting.
One of the romans ages bridges near Isso.
THE ISSO BRIDGES. In the way to the Hotel, 4 km after the Isso Village, there are 3 bridges that cross the Mundo River, one of them in the actually road.
Near this bridge (turning left by a stone road) it is possible to visit 2 very old bridges wich was built in the romans ages.
The ecosystem in this area and the fauna offers a great diversification that deserves a short visit to the bridges.
