Just a short drive from the city of Murcia the Balneario de Archena offers thermal spa baths The thermal baths complex of the Balneario of Archena has been in use since the time of the Roman occupation of this part of the Iberian Peninsula in the third century BC and offers a full range of thermal spa leisure options including thermal baths health and beauty treatments as well as a hotel and restaurant complex which is open throughout the year At the heart of the Balneario is the water which emanates from a natural spring at a temperature of 52.5 degrees Celsius and with a high mineral content which makes it particularly beneficial for treating sore joints and also facilitates the natural repair processes of the skin The Spa Centre itself offers extensive facilities with an innovative indoor-outdoor thermal circuit experience complemented by a wide range of medical attracting both visitors on courses of therapy (principally related to respiratory conditions articulatory problems and stress) and those looking for a period of relaxation and pampering is one of the most attractive places in the Region of Murcia set as it is in the lush greenery which thrives on the banks of the River Segura at the southern end of the Ricote Valley The Balnea thermal spa circuit (circuito Termal Balnea) This is a comprehensive and extensive spa circuit in which bathers pass through a wide range of different elements both inside and outside of the spa complex The Balnea Thermal Spa Circuit includes various saunas at different temperatures and levels of humidity one of which is heated purely by the water of the spring while others use a variety of techniques In addition there is a cross-current pool of minero-medicinal water with a temperature of 30 to 31ºC a lemon pool (with fresh lemons floating in water at a temperature of 34 degrees) a flotation pool providing conditions similar to the Dead Sea corridors containing alternating jets of warm and cool water The facilities also include onsite eateries in the Termalium area at the La Piscina snack bar and the Restaurante del Agua a wide range of beauty and health treatments (including facials massages etc) are offered in the Centro de Estética The beauty treatments include facial cleansing oxygen Termalium (cleansing and hydration) “Termalium Caviar” (exfoliation and relaxation massage) slimming and firming treatment and a vitamin C citrus bath For youngsters there is an additional special pool with slides and also an area which generates a current around a small circuit one indoors in the lush green setting of the Balneario and the other under cover Full-day tickets here are priced at between 10 euros and 22 euros for adults depending on the time of year with discounts for children (7 euros to 12 euros) and for evening-only sessions allowing a chance to eat at the bar or the Restuarante del Agua The swimming pools are open between November and March from 10.00 to 21.00 from March to June and from 1st September to 31st October between 10.00 and 22.00 and in July and August from 10.00 until midnight Most of the properties of thermal therapy lend themselves to both therapeutic and preventative medicine particularly in the fields of respiratory and articulatory problems (painful joints) as well as countering stress and the results achieved at the thermal baths in Archena are extremely positive providing an improvement in quality of life for patients by reducing pain improving mobility and lessening the dependence on pharmaceuticals The facilities on the second basement level of the Hotel Termas have been awarded the seal of quality by the Spanish tourist authorities and a fully qualified medical team is present to oversee treatments and to prescribe them Treatments are prescribed by the onsite medical team which includes three specialists in hydrology who perform an exhaustive initial check on all customers staying in the hotels and monitor their progress minutely The treatments available in the spa underneath the Hotel Termas include the following: Archena massage: the flagship treatment at the Balneario consists of a massage using thermal mud which is then showered off with water from the thermal spring This is particularly effective at reducing muscle spasms and tension Thermal mud: a clay poultice containing thermal water is applied to the joints at a temperature of 45ºC painful musculo-skeletal conditions and the effects of trauma Termarchena: a small thermal circuit consisting of a steam room a corridor with contrast showers (hot and cold) and two cabins providing 5-7 minutes of manual friction with mud and ice on the back For respiratory conditions there are also facilities for steam from the thermal spa to be breathed in directly and a host of other therapeutic and physiotherapeutic options are provided All of the above are located in the Roman baths under the Hotel Termas but the Balneario complex also includes numerous other treatments (Click for more information about the hotels or see feed below) Visitors to the Balneario de Archena are reminded to take with them a dressing-gown (white is preferred) For hotel guests the dressing-gown is included and they can also be hired at the Balneario at a small extra cost Apart from the hotel dining-room restaurants in the Termas (á la carte) and the León (buffet) there are also various other opportunities to grab a bite to eat or drink including the “chiringuito” at the swimming pools the cafeteria in the Casino (with its beautiful shady terrace) Another option is the Restaurante Del Agua and in summer the Bar Azul on the river bank offers live entertainment every Friday evening There is an onsite souvenir shop which also sells the most indispensable items for visitors: bathing caps Heading north from the city of Murcia on the A-30 motorway towards Madrid where Archena is clearly signposted on the MU-554 road Once approaching the town follow the signs for “Balneario de Archena”: these take visitors on a rather roundabout route encircling the whole town before entering from “the other side” The only sign which might be easy to miss is just about the last one when the route appears to be taking visitors back out of town towards Villanueva del Río Segura and Ulea This is a right turn just after a Repsol petrol station: be on the lookout Click here for details on the health and beauty treatments offered at the Balneario de Archena Click here to find out more about accomodation at the Balneario de Archena and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application passed away peacefully on November 29,2024 Bonnie was raised on the family farm near Gray she excelled academically as Valedictorian (of her class of six) and athletically as a 1st Team All-County player on her 6-on-6 basketball team earning her teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa—then known as Iowa State Teachers College—and later furthering her studies at Drake University Bonnie began her teaching career in the Altoona School District where she formed a lifelong friendship with Arvena "Russ" Summers She went on to teach at Cornell Elementary in the Saydel School District where she left an indelible mark on her students it was not uncommon for former students to approach her and proudly declare she had been their favorite teacher at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua where they lived for over 50 years before relocating to Waukee Bonnie and Palmer shared a passion for travel visiting all 50 states and countless National Parks often in their Winnebago or 5th wheel trailer They also cherished their years spent in their Las Vegas vacation home creating cherished memories with family and friends Her competitive streak extended to Wii bowling where she was a member of multiple championship teams in her retirement community Bonnie and her sister Mary shared a love for basketball and going to the movies together Perhaps one of Bonnie's most endearing traits was her dedication to sending cards for every occasion holidays—if there was a reason to celebrate It became a family joke that when Bonnie stopped sending cards Bonnie will be remembered for her warm spirit and the boundless love she shared with her family and friends and Amy (Robert) Taylor; her grandchildren and Austin (Michaela) Wolfe; and her great-grandchildren She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Palmer; her parents; son-in-law A visitation and memorial service will be held on Monday beginning at 1 p.m.at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Adel A gathering of family and friends will follow at the home of Ted and Marie Hansen in DeSoto her remains will be interred alongside her husband Palmer at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery the family encourages donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in loving memory of Doris Hansen (www.bcrf.org) Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Doris "Bonnie" Hansen Add to Calendar Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory - Adel Chapel Add to Calendar This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Murcia’s Regional Water Sanitation and Treatment Agency (ESAMUR) has awarded ACCIONA-PROMED joint venture the operation and maintenance (O&M) of some of the main Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Wastewater Pumping Stations (WWPS) in the region One lot comprises the three large wastewater treatment plants in the Mar Menor coast with the capacity to process 7,700,000m3 annually for €8.5 million under a three-year contract The second lot comprises the facilities located in the Vega Media area with the combined capacity to treat 5,747,200m3 annually for €8.37 million under a three-year contract the contracts mainly cover all the operation conservation and maintenance works for the facilities transport and disposal of pre-treatment waste All the WWTPs feature tertiary treatment for the regeneration of treated water which entails the recovery of about 14 million cubic meters of water per year Together with the water from the WWTPs of northwestern Murcia that ACCIONA operates since 2019 there is an annual production of 18 million cubic meters of regenerated water ACCIONA consolidates its leadership in the O&M of wastewater treatment plants in the Murcia region ACCIONA already operates the following contracts of this kind for ESAMUR: the Northwestern WWTP Zone (Bullas etc.); the Segura River’s Upper Course WWTP Zone (Cieza Abarán); the Segura River’s Middle Course WWTP Zone (Archena Torres de Cotilla); and the Mar Menor WWTP Zone (San Javier the latter in a joint venture with Cadagua) sludge production will be addressed to reduce the size of the waste and improve its pathogen load through stabilization and sanitization processes I accept Information on data protection In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com Your data shall be processed in order to send you information through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means activities and news pertinent to our activity sectors The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing the subscription Request cannot be satisfied We may also process your satisfaction or preferences Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same The data subject can exercise their rights of access to or rectification and/or the restriction of or objection to the processing of such data by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de la Gran Vía de Hortaleza 28033 (Madrid) or by sending the form available in the link: FORM If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es) You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/ WATERVILLE – Dr the last child to Candida and Aniello Amalfitano Albert attended both the University of Maryland and Temple University He was a member of the Iota Tau Sigma Fraternity He was also a member of the Army National Guard He followed the footsteps of his older brothers to begin a long lineage of osteopathic physicians that continues to this day He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1956 He then completed his internship at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital where he completed his general surgery residency at James A where he joined the practice of Marshall Gerrie Sr devoted to and proudly caring for the people of this town as a highly respected surgeon and family physician He was a maverick in the earlier days of his career performing many surgeries that are now further specialized He also performed some of the first laparoscopic appendectomies ever done in the United States he served many years as a board member for the Maine Osteopathic Association He served as president in 1968 and received numerous awards which include the 1984 Roswell P the 1994 Distinguished Service Award (the highest honor given by the MOA) he enjoyed educating and mentoring countless medical students and interns he served as a state medical examiner for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner He also frequently performed pilot physicals for the FAA he finally retired from his medical practice he owned and piloted a twin-engine Piper Apache He spent many hours at Robert LaFleur Airport flying his plane and taking his children for rides He loved his annual vacations with his wife and children to Wilmington to spend time with his large extended family He also enjoyed spending the summers relaxing at his camp on Salmon Lake He believed strongly in fixing what was broken rather than replacing it with new he was always working on projects around the house and camp He spent this time residing and was cared for at Northern Light Continuing Care and Vivianna; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces A memorial visit for family and friends will be held on Saturday Burial will occur at the Saint Francis Cemetery family plot For online condolences, please visit http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America WATERVILLE – Susan Ann (Marino) LeComte passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday following a long and brave battle against cancer Friends and family are invited to attend visitation from 4 p.m A Celebration of Life for Susan will be held from 2 p.m To read Susan’s full obituary please go to https://gallantfh.com/obituaries/susan-lecomte the daughter of Sophie (Sulya) and the late Robert Welsh Debbie graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in social work and worked for the State of Maine She later served as the Director of General Assistance for the city of Augusta until her retirement in May 2023 Throughout her career Debbie was known for her caring and compassionate nature She impacted the lives of numerous individuals through her dedication to social work always demonstrating consideration and respect for those she served In addition to her professional accomplishments she was actively involved in community organizations including The 99s Sophie Welsh; sister Linda Saucier and her husband Roland Saucier; her nieces and nephews his wife Elisha and their children; cousins Alfred and Donna Tobias; brother-in-law Charles Steve Lymneos and his wife Donna; niece Kristen the family requests that donations be made to a charity of choice when her life was taken in a tragic motorcycle accident Thomas Haynes and Laurie Blake; and her siblings For full obituary go to vrlfuneralhome.com the daughter of Alice (Dudley) Christensen and Charles Christensen She has belonged to the Smithfield Baptist Church since 1970 where she was a deacon Alice (Dudley) Christensen; her brother Scott and his wife Pam; her Aunt Florence and Uncle Richard; and many cousins Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.aablecremationservice.com donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association Advocacy | ADA or mailed to American Diabetes Association the only son of Millard and Charlene Elliott (Brown) He attended Augusta schools and graduated in 1967 Bob was employed at Augusta Supply for 20 years and retired from Redlon and Johnson where he was employed for over 30 years In his later years he continued the love of the ocean and eating lobsters Bob and Cyndee bought their first home on Three Mile Pond They resided on the pond for 10 years with their dog Zeke the family enjoyed their time in the pontoon boat and Steve went ice fishing on Chesuncook Lake and slept on the lake For three summers Bob and Cyndee traveled to Prince Edward Island with their three grandchildren and close friends: Sherwood Bob and Cyndee would spend their summers at home in Florida The family made many memories with Sherwood He was predeceased by his parents Millard and Charlene He is survived by his wife Cyndee Palmieri; his two daughters Mikel Booker and her life partner Chad French; grandchildren Hudson and Sophia; and his sister-in-law Debbi Bozworth and husband Gary; niece Dr Please visit Bob’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/robert-elliott-2024 where condolences ROME – Richard LaBelle Richard was the sixth child of Ernest Adelbert and Ruth (Bickford) LaBelle Richard was the oldest living resident of Rome Dick moved around following the business of his father’s portable sawmill for many years Dick would move with his family from New York to New Jersey to New Hampshire before finally settling in Maine Richard answered America’s call to service during World War II before taking a train cross-country to join his shipmates The young Private served in the Pacific Theatre where Richard would meet the love of his life they settled and made a home on their Jamaica Point farm Dick and Lois raised five children on their beautiful eleven-acre parcel overlooking Great Pond he began his 18 years working in the woods for Luther Stevens With a changing economy and a growing family Dick yearned to provide his family with a stronger way of life With an eighth-grade education and very little start-up money it was in 1969 that Richard took a risk and defied the odds to start his own business Even without indoor plumbing in his own home He was determined to take his new-found trade and create a livelihood that would afford a better future for his family With signature red trucks and blue Dickies the company continues to deliver quality service 55 years later under the watchful eye of his son Dick would work part-time in the plumbing business he found much more time to take up his special interests you may have found Dick planting flowers and vegetables in his greenhouse or sawing logs and splitting wood in the yard he may have been deep among his raspberry bushes or huddled between sewn rows of vegetables Fall brought harvest and a bit of rest before winter when Dick would retreat to the woodshop to construct beautiful pieces of small furniture for family and friends; he was especially well known for his beautiful mission-style furniture Richard served the Town of Rome as Selectman Planning Board and/or Rome Recreation Committee Dick and Lois were members of the Rome Baptist Church for many years they began a search for a new home church and found a small country church to call their home: North Belgrade Baptist Church and Alan and wife Lynn (Buzzell) LaBelle; eight grandchildren Jessica Desrosiers and husband Ramel Dennis and Chena and husband Jacob Bean; great-grandchildren and Warren Bean; and sister-in-law Hannah LaBelle Richard was predeceased by his wife of 72 years Services are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home Church Street, Oakland Maine. http://www.wheelerfh.com Donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Lakes Christian Fellowship Church She was the daughter of Louis and Margaret (Brown) Jenney She grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Belgrade High School She worked for the State of Maine for 28 years Lucille’s home was always a hub of warmth and joy where family and friends gathered to feel her love and selflessness always ready with a clever remark that brought laughter to any room Lucille had a variety of interests that brought her joy Her generous spirit and dedication to those she loved will be greatly missed and care will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends and selflessness touched the lives of so many and her impact will be felt for generations to come Lucille was a pillar of strength and love for her family and all who knew her of Winthrop; grandchildren Richard Nickless Jr. and Lauren Souza; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews The family invites all who knew and loved her to join them in celebrating her life at a graveside service at 2 p.m. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Roberts Funeral Home website, http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com please consider donating to the Alpha Phi Foundation in honor of Lucille Her daughter, along with her two granddaughters, Kayla and Lauren, are proud alumnae. Your contribution will support heart health initiatives. https://gofund.me/b15d36db CLINTON – Kenneth R 2024 at BIDM (Beth Israel Deacon Medical Center,) Boston where he received 20 years of exceptional care He was a jack of all trades working as a union shipfitter at Bath Iron Works and a carpenter’s union in 1996 to name a few In his younger years he enjoyed working on fast cars working with his father in his butcher shop Many good memories made ice fishing on Moosehead Lake His greatest pride was sharing the love and passion for the game of basketball with his granddaughter Jordyn He was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Geneva (Cote) Lachance of Winslow; son Craig Joseph Lachance; and brothers Wayne and Raymond Lachance Kenny is survived by one brother; daughter Kelly Jo Lachance Wayne Penney and their families; son Kenneth Hyde; granddaughters Merranda Lachance with their families; as well as 14 great-grandchildren Kenny has had a lot of friends from a lot of places throughout his life The family hopes you can join them celebrating his life on Sunday BELGRADE – Cynthia “Cindy” Davidson she was the third daughter of Sumner “Everett” Trask and Dolores Cabana Trask they lived in Florida during Andy’s service in the U.S they settled in Cindy’s childhood home and soon welcomed their daughter Cindy attended grade school in Belgrade and graduated from Messalonskee High School in 1979 she pursued a career in nursing and dedicated herself to caring for others in nursing homes starting at a young age with Sandra Grant’s classes She attended numerous dance workshops and taught dance for many years even running her own studio at the North Belgrade Community Center Her love for dancing and sharing it with others remained a joy throughout her life She crafted many treasured memory books for her family caring nature and her ability to bring joy to others will be deeply missed Cindy is survived by her husband of 41 years Andrew; son James and his wife Kate; daughter Katrina; grandchildren and Jace and Jack Davidson; her sister Sharon Young and husband David; brother David Trask and wife DeAnna; step-siblings and Michael Seeley and wife Debra; nieces Melanie Blair A graveside service will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery AUBURN – Peter Alan Lockhart Peter was a courageous man with many health conditions until his passing His love for Lisa was unconditional with many happy trips around the state and special time with his grandchildren He had a love of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots as well as hunting at his families camp and graduated from Washington Community Technical School working beside his father in the electrical business before going to work at Bath Iron Works for 17 years as a marine electician and finally worked at Ace Security before becoming disabled Peter was predeased by his father Frank and Mother Marian (Hopkins) Lockhart and his uncles Donald and aunts Liesel Lockhart and Lloyd and (Isabel) Lockhart Peter is survived by his wife Lisa; his three sons Jeremy (Krystle) Lockhart and Travis Lockhart; his brother Roger (Mary) Lockhart Sr. of China; nephew Roger (J.R) and (Stacy) Lockhart Emmit and Leo; cousins Donald and (Robin)Lockhart of Gardiner; mother in-law Priscilla Agurkis; sister and brother in-law Stephanie Agurkis Donations can be sent to The American Kidney Foundation in Peter’s name WATERVILLE – Charles Raymond Bellows to parents Darla (Carpenter) O’Neil and Charles “Chuck” Bellows ever since his early years running through the Southend of Waterville At a young age he learned of his talents as a prolific writer graffiti artist and often shared these gifts with loved ones and comrades he was hilarious and always the biggest presence in any room He was a lyrical artist and wrote many verses with hundreds of songs; many on YouTube He was loyal and defended people when they were treated unfairly He taught others to be strong and never give up Charlie always remained positive and it reflected around him deeply Charlie’s loved ones knew him to have a warriors mindset and the heart of a lion most fearless and loyal person one could meet Charlie enjoyed spending time with his loved ones While he never achieved mainstream success Charlie was arguably the greatest hardcore rapper to have deep roots in the pine tree state He was predeceased by his father Chuck and mother Darla; three children; Justice Michael and Elizabeth; stepfather Mike; and many extended family members A Celebration of Life was held at Governor’s The formal funeral service dates are to be determined SIDNEY – William “Bill” H A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Catholic Church with an interment ceremony planned for 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home. A full obituary and online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill’s name to the Sidney Food Bank WASHINGTON – Robert “Bob” Frank Steinmeyer passed away peacefully at the Sussman House For a full obituary with service information, please visit Bob’s Book of Memories at http://www.hallfuneralhomes.com Because The Town Line has always published obituaries as a public service we reserve the right to edit for length and content Since newspapers are recorders of local history Predeceased and survivors are listed by blood or law The service will be included if it takes place after the publication date We do not publish first person messages nor thank you’s Others Departed are published to alert residents that a neighbor or acquaintance in the community has lost a loved one from outside our coverage area Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text With more than 100 spas around the country Spain has become a popular destination for wellness tourism Bathing in thermal waters followed by fine dining and the chance to relax is a holiday plan few would turn down Combine this with exploring cultural attractions and beautiful countryside and the offer is even more attractive Spain is a paradise when it comes to spa tourism and the locations are in a variety of regions and landscapes from the thermal waters hidden in the forests of Galicia to the luxury spas along the Mediterranean Costas While there's no need to leave Andalucía to find the perfect spa experience it is worth exploring what the rest of the country has to offer Located in the green and peaceful landscape of Cantabria the Balneario de Puente Viesgo is an oasis of tranquillity and well-being where visitors enjoy a wide variety of treatments and thermal spa circuits Surrounded by the lush vegetation of the northern Spanish region Puente Viesgo does not just offer a relaxing spa experience but is also a good starting point to explore the beauty of Cantabria This is one of the most important sites for cave paintings in Spain and the spa pays tribute to that by recreating one of the caves in its thermal circuit The Balneario de Puente Viesgo offers the visitor a unique experience where wellness and history unite in perfect harmony In the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees and located 1,636 metres above sea level the Balneario de Panticosa is a gem of wellness tourism surrounded by impressive mountains and pristine waters is also a meeting point for lovers of nature and adventure it is an ideal base camp for snow sports enthusiasts and footpaths lure walkers to explore the beauty of the Tena Valley and Ordesa National Park and Monte Perdido The fusion of wellness treatments with open air activities provides a unique experience to visitors who can relax in thermal waters after a day's hiking Located in the Ricote Valley just 24 kilometres from Murcia is the Balneario de Archena It is one of Europe's most visited thermal spa complexes and a living testimony to the long tradition of therapeutic baths in southeast Spain With medicinal mineral waters flowing at a constant temperature of 52C Archena is the ideal destination for those looking to switch off in surroundings of natural beauty In a landscape of palm trees and mountains the spa offers a wellness break in a historical setting has become one of the icons of health and wellness tourism in Spain historical architecture and surroundings of great ecological and natural beauty makes Mondariz a unique destination Famous for the therapeutic qualities of its waters it has attracted visitors from all over the world Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  Moros y Cristianos and Corpus Christi fiestas in Archena" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" />Archena has two major blocks of fiestas sewn together providing almost continuous partying throughout June and into the early part of July with the Fiestas of the Moors and Christians and Virgen de la Salud combining with the fiestas of Corpus Christi The fiestas are based on the typical Spanish combination of religious devotion and popular partying and as well as on the feast day of Corpus Christi in Archena this is also the case on the feast days of San Cosme Prior to Corpus Christi the patron saint of Archena was San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist) reflecting the fact that the town belonged to the Military Order of San Juan The fiesta at the start of the summer coincided in many ways with the end of the agricultural year and the harvest season Moros y Cristianos and Corpus Christi fiestas in Archena" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="350" />Later the faithful in the town were devoted to the cult of San Roque and the first record of any celebration of Corpus Christi dates from as late as 1884 These were declared civic fiestas by the Town Hall in 1904 and the first official procession took place six years later One of the unusual features of the Corpus Christi celebrations in Archena is the preparation of coloured salt carpets over which the procession passes In the past when the procession was held the tradition was for households to drape their most colourful carpets blankets and embroideries outside their homes to decorate the route and on the ground carpets of petals and aromatic plants were created Nowadays the carpets are made from coloured salt and are real works of art in the streets of Archena Corpus Christi falls 60 days after Easter Sunday and this year’s fiestas in Archena last from 1st June to the 7th July This year the program of events includes the following: 21.00: Opening of the medieval camp for the Moros y Cristianos fiestas outside the Colegio Miguel Medina) a concert by Grupo 40 Duros and hot chocolate at 1.30 in the morning 19.00: Children’s Moros y Cristianos parade followed by entertainment for the youngsters at the Colegio Miguel Medina Moros y Cristianos and Corpus Christi fiestas in Archena" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="350" />Friday June 10 10.30: The Moorish and Christian emissaries visit social centres and care homes 20.00: The fairground opens at the the Polideportivo Municipal with a special two-for-the-price-of-one offer on June 10 and June 13 20.00: Migas competition in the Jardín de Villa Rías and surrounding streets 22.00: Musical “chupinazo” parade in the Jardín de Villa Rías 8.00: 18th annual “Archena Tu Paraíso” country walk leaving by coach from Plaza 1º de Mayo Registration and further information at the Centro Cultural Ramón Centenero children’s musical at the Teatro Villa de Archena Available from Centro Cultural Ramón Centenero or entradastotal.com 12.00: The Moorish and Christian emissaries gather, the Moors in Calle Mayor and the Chritians in Calle Ramón y Caja, to parade to the junction of the two streets and the Town Hall. They then move on to the church of San Juan Bautista accompanied by medieval arquebuses (similar to muskets) 13.30: Floral offering to the Santísimo Corpus Christi by the Moros y Cristianos groups along with the arquebus musketeers at the church of San Juan Bautista 18.00: The Romería of the Santísima Virgen de la Salud. The figure of the Virgen is taken from the church of the Balneario spa resort to the parish church of San Juan Bautista where another foloral offering and choral Holy Mass are held ARCHIVED - Until June 19, Moros y Cristianos and Corpus Christi fiestas in Archena" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" />19.30: The Virgen de la Salud is welcomed with firecrackers in the Jardín de Villa Rías 21.30: Enactment of the parley and emissaries of the Moors and Christians in the Jardín Juan Pablo II 21.00: Guided tour of the Juan de la Cierva exhibition followed by food tasting at the Museo de Archena 13.00: Floral exhibitions created by florists from all over Spain at the Town Hall and the two main churches of Archena 18.30: Creation of the salt carpets on the route of the Corpus Christi procession 23.00 The recinto of the peñas (fiestas groups) opens in the playground of the Colegio Miguel Medina 22.00: Concert by Fanny Hidalgo in the Plaza Primero de mayo 23.30: Los Happys in concert in the Recinto de Peñas Moros y Cristianos and Corpus Christi fiestas in Archena" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" />10.00: The salt carpets are officially placed on display along the procession route 11.00: Musical parade featuring the local Santa Cecilia music society 11.00 to 14.00: The Corpus Family Day event Cartoon characters will be in attendance and music and dancing will be to the fore in the Plaza 1º de Mayo 11.30: Holy Mass in the Parroquia de San Juan Bautista 12:00: Holy Mass in the Parroquia de Corpus Cristi - La Purísima followed by a short procession in which a blessing of the town will be offered on the salt carpet created by the parish church 19.00: Outdoor Holy Mass in the Plaza de la Iglesia Parroquial de San Juan Bautista the procession of Corpus Christi sets out from the church to the Iglesia del Corpus Christi-La Purísima across the carpets of salt Iglesia del Corpus Christi-La Purísima Malas Pulgas and Desenkanto at the Recinto de Peñas 23.30: Concert by Sergio Dalma at the venue in Plaza Valle de Ricote Misión G in the Plaza 1º de Mayo 17.00: Foam party in the Jardín de Villa Rías 20.00: Holy Mass and blessing of the sick at the Parroquia San Juan Bautista 22.30: Comandante Lara in concert at the venue in Plaza Valle de Ricote available from the Ramón Centenero cultural centre or at entradastotal.com 00.30: Free concert featuring Orquesta La Mundial at the summer cinema 10.30: 10.30: Bicycle ride from the Polideportivo municipal followed by bike games in the Carretera del Balneario next to Plaza 1º de Mayo prize draw amongst the participants for two bicycles 14.00: The paella competition of the peñas and a giant paella for all in Avenida Daniel Ayala the parade of the peñas del vino with a “carroza del vino” (wine float) 17.00-22.00: Disco Light Adda Club for teenagers at the Adda Dance Club 22.30: Free concert by Misión G at the summer cinema 23.00: India Martínez in concert at the venue in Plaza Valle de Ricote 11.30: Traditional choral Mass in honour of the Virgen de la Salud in the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista 12.30: Magic spectacular for children at the Teatro Villa de Archena with magician Toni Bright starting in Avenida Antonete Gálvez and ending in Avenida del Carril 22.00: Concert by La Espartera at the Plaza 1º de Mayo Midnight: Fireworks and music at the Colegio Miguel Medina to signal the official end of the 2022 fiestas in Archena For more upcoming events in the Costa Cálida visit the What’s On section of Murcia Today ARCHIVED - Archena joins major Spanish cities issuing fines for throwing gloves and masks on the floor" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Murcia region: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/ Archena is home to a hot thermal springs complex which is believed to be among the oldest in Spain having been in use since the time of the Roman occupation in the third century BC At the heart of the complex is the water which emanates from a natural spring at a temperature of 52.5 degrees Celsius and with a high mineral content which makes it particularly beneficial for treating sore joints and also facilitates the natural repair processes of the skin the thermal swimming pools and thermal spa circuit can be visited on a daytime use only basis the complex also offers three hotels with a total of 254 fully equipped rooms restaurant services and direct access to the various onsite facilities See feed below for further information about the spa facilities the special packages and treatments available at the complex The four-star Hotel Termas is the grandest of the three hotels not necessarily in terms of the rooms themselves (the Hotel Levante also has four stars to its name) but certainly in terms of the décor and history of the building It dates from the late 19th century and many of the details are modelled on the Alhambra palace in Granada intricate Moorish-style decorative patterns adorning the main staircase in particular and also many other doorways and niches Underneath the hotel is the main thermal bath complex where therapeutic treatments using the warm mineral water are administered and this is where the wealthy and influential flocked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Archena was the most visited spa in Spain Here one of the key features is a replica of part of the Patio de los Leones in the Alhambra a fountain which is no longer in use but stands as a reminder of the prestigious history of the thermal baths TV (international channels included) and mini-bar Room service and restaurant dining are optional and Wifi is available free in public lounges and the main entry hall The hotel dining-room on the ground floor has been awarded Q for Quality certification and enjoys views out onto the River Segura with menus concocted by a top chef along with a full-time nutritionist The “Mediterranean diet” is combined with nouvelle cuisine and recommendations are made for senior diners Underground parking is just a few metres away a recent development at the Balneario de Archena in order to minimize noise and exhaust fumes and further enhance the atmosphere of relaxation and health and guests are automatically entitled to free access to the onsite thermal swimming pools massages and beauty treatment all entail extra costs although numerous packages are available to suit practically all guests The four-star Hotel Levante is possibly not the grandest in terms of its history and prestige but it was completely refurbished in 2001 and even now appears brand new The Balneario de Archena may be steeped in history but this is a thoroughly modern and functional establishment designed to maximize comfort The hotel shares the ground-floor dining-room belonging to its neighbour which has been awarded Q for Quality certification and enjoys views out onto the River Segura The three-star Hotel León is one of three hotels at the Balneario de Archena thermal baths and spa complex and is located towards the northern end of the premises next to the Termalium area This contains swimming pools and a massage and guests are also welcome to make use of the medical services provided at the Balneario and a host of other facilities which make staying at the complex a rounded experience rather than a purely therapeutic one provides direct access to the thermal baths underneath the neighbouring Hotel Termas without any need to venture outside and all are equipped with a complete bathroom TV (including international channels) and telephone Laundry service and a foreign exchange desk are also available for guests The hotel restaurant located on the first floor provides a buffet service and is a popular eating option not only with guests and day visitors but also among guests at Hotel Termas and Hotel Levante combined with specialities from all over Spain The hotel is located almost directly above the underground parking There is also a large events room for celebrations of all kinds Click here for details on the full range of treatments available at the Balneario de Archena The Museo del Esparto in Archena is housed on the ground floor of the majestic Palacete de Villa Rías which stands in the middle of the Jardín de Villa Rías public park and was once the home of the Viscounts of Rías the palatial home which he and his family built now stands largely neglected in the grounds and it is only the ground floor which is in fit condition to be used the use to which it is put is one which will delight fans of traditional crafts as it is devoted to a small but charming museum of esparto grass artefacts Before the arrival of industrial production techniques in rural parts of Murcia esparto grass was the second most important sector of the local economy of Archena (behind agriculture) the natural waxiness of the grass lending itself to weaving in such a way as to create baskets Esparto has been a crucial part of the regional economy since Phoenician traders first started visiting the coastal areas of the Murcia region nearly 3,000 years ago they exchanged trade goods for the natural resources of the region esparto grass a commodity widely traded throughout the Mediterranean As their power faded and the Romans gained in stature esparto was widely grown for exportation from the ports of the Murcia Region and exported throughout their vast Empire an essential component in the manufacture of ropes agricultural equipment and domestic storage and transport before commercial twines and synthetic materials were invented These days esparto objects are used almost exclusively as decoration and the craft of esparto weaving has practically died out but it is still alive in the form of at least one enthusiast in Archena Kiko has created the Museo del Esparto entirely through his own labours and his love of the traditions of esparto weaving techniques and traditions and he it is who welcomes visitors to his world in the museum a bull’s head and even an esparto bikini and every year he spends hundreds of hours weaving for himself an esparto grass costume to wear during the Carnival parades To the disappointment of many visitors none of the items here are for sale but such is Kiko’s character that he explains his refusal to part with his creations quite simply: certainly he might make a little money “I wouldn’t have all this!” How to find the Museo de Esparto in Archena is in the large shady public park alongside the Plaza 1 de Mayo in the centre of Archena For those approaching Archena from the A-30 motorway the advice is simple: follow the signs for the town centre from the exit at kilometre 121 of the motorway This takes you over the River Segura on the iron bridge and directly onto the main street and at the top of the hill the gardens of Villa Rías are on the right Parking is normally available in the residential streets just past the park The museum is normally open to the public between Tuesday and Friday from 17.00 to 20.00 and at weekends from 11.30 to 14.00, but for large groups the tourist office can attempt to prevail upon Kiko to open up at other times of day Click for further information about the Archena municipality Each town and village in Spain has its own annual fiestas apart from those of Christmas nature and peculiarities of these celebrations are closely linked to the history of the town and to the importance of the thermal spa waters at the Balneario in its development over the centuries and in the local economy anyone hoping to sample a festive atmosphere on the streets of Archena is best advised to do so between Easter and the end of June when there is barely a break between the different sessions of partying and religious devotion which characterize the town in late spring and early summer After the arrival of the Three Kings bearing gifts on 6th January the main fiestas in Archena every year are the following: In Archena the tradition used to be for Carnival to be celebrated on the Sundays before and after Ash Wednesday with the costumes in the first event being those which were worn last year before the new ones were unveiled in the second parade the popularity of the celebration declined in the 1990s and although it is on the increase again this century there is now only one procession which attracts around 2,500 participants and double that number of spectators for what is known as the “Desfile de Piñata” Easter Week is one of the most important fiestas in the annual calendar in Archena and in 1995 the celebrations were awarded Regional Tourist Interest status The celebrations begin in Archena on the Sunday before Palm Sunday with the official opening speech in the church of San Juan Bautista but the processions begin five days later with a Vía Crucis in which only the figure of the Virgen de los Dolores is paraded through the streets On Palm Sunday another procession ends with Mass and palm fronds are supplied to locals wishing to take part The Monday of Easter Week features another Vía Crucis starting at the church of Corpus Christi and the following day sees the popular “Procesión del Perdón” the first of the evening events in Semana Santa in Archena This includes the sculptural tableaux depicting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane On the Wednesday it is the turn of the Procesión del Prendimiento with eight tableaux showing the Passion of Christ At the head of the procession is the Cruz de los Espejos Strictly speaking there are no processions on Maundy Thursday because the one which is held in silence begins at midnight featuring only the figure of Christ on Mount Calvary There are then two more during Good Friday the most important day of the week in Archena The first of these is the “Procesión del Encuentro Doloroso” in which 13 tableaux take part the figure of Christ is removed from his cross so that he can later be paraded on his sepulchre This occurs in the evening’s “Procesión del Santo Entierro” On Easter Saturday there is a solemn vigil and then comes the joy and celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday Early in the morning there is an “encuentro” the Cross and the figure of Christ Resuscitated and doves and balloons are released into the sky as a shower of sweets rains down on the crowds May or June: the fiestas in honour of Corpus Christi and the Virgen de la Salud The date of the moveable feast of Corpus Christi can fall any time between 21st May and 24th June since it was established as being on the Thursday or Sunday after Trinity Sunday (or 60 days after Easter) when it was first celebrated during the 13th century The celebration of the Virgen de la Salud in Archena is far more recent, though, and the fact that Our Lady of Health is one of the patrons of the town is inextricably connected to the presence of the thermal spa or Balneario in Archena She was officially declared patron after the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) during which the statue representing her had been hidden in the crypt of the church saving it from the fate which sadly befell thousands of other works of religious art during the conflict in the Region of Murcia alone At this point the date on which the fiestas in honour of the Virgen are held was switched to Ascension Day, which is traditionally the Sunday after Corpus Christi. On this day a Romería is held in which the Virgen de la Salud is taken from her church in the Balneario to the centre of the town In the past she also came to the centre of Archena in September and there have been recent moves to restore that tradition The figure of the Virgen de la Salud was commissioned in 1876 by the Vizcondes de Rías Archena’s fiestas in honour of Corpus Christi and the Virgen de la Salud begin with the proclamation of fiesta Queens and princesses and are a combination of religious devotion on the one hand and popular partying on the other After the opening “chupinazo” fireworks and a wine cart event concerts and a host of other events including races Paella Day and a scaled-down version of bull running in which a calf is let loose on the streets One of the most unusual features is the preparation of carpets of coloured salt over which the procession walks when the procession was held the tradition was for households to drape their most colourful carpets Nowadays the carpets are created by using salt The fiestas close with a grand float parade fireworks and the return of the Virgen de la Salud to her church in the Balneario The Moors and Christians fiestas in Archena are held during the last weekend of June so hot on the heels of the celebrations of Corpus Christi and in honour of the Virgen de la Salud that in fact they often run into each other As in many other towns in the Region of Murcia they commemorate the end of Moorish rule in the 13th century although in Archena and the rest of the Ricote valley they have a special relevance: this is due to the fact that after the Reconquista by Catholic forces many Muslims (or former Muslims converted to Catholicism) remained in the area long after they had practically disappeared from other parts of Murcia and Spain This was even the case long after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain in 1492 The date of the Moros and Cristianos celebrations in Archena is a remnant of the times when the town’s patron was St John the Baptist The central event of the fiestas is the representation of the delivery of the “Carta Puebla” by the Order of San Juan de Jerusalém, which was entrusted with Archena and the surrounding land after the 13th century Reconquista (for more details consult the history of Archena) to the former Muslims (known as “Mudéjares) in 1462 The aim of this document was to encourage the repopulation of the area and although it was originally signed by just 13 Mudéjares within 50 years that figure had risen to around 100 heads of household (probably equivalent to 400 people or so) The festivities also include various parades of the Moorish and Christian embassies (locals dressed up in extravagant costumes) 1st September: the “Fiestas del Polvorín" Unlike most fiestas in the Region of Murcia these celebrate an event which occurred on the 1st September 1963 when there was a huge explosion in a military gunpowder store on the hill of Cabezo del Tío Pío just outside the town The explosion was so fierce that it was felt for a radius of more than 25 kilometres around its source covering the fields for miles around with ash which was deemed to be beneficial for the crops and the fertility of the soil and windows were shattered in much of the town centre and nowadays the date is commemorated every year by these local fiestas which have expanded and over the years and now include a number of sociable and community events concluding with a Romería in honour of the Virgen del Rocío Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The iron bridge which carries the MU-522 over the River Segura as it enters the town of Archena may be too narrow to allow fluid traffic movements but it has been declared an item of cultural interest and over the years has won its place in the hearts of the local population and although there are plans for a new structure to be built alongside it the old bridge will be restored and repaired while care will be taken to ensure that its new neighbour does not obscure the view of this historic infrastructure in Archena Prior to the iron bridge the entrance into Archena was over a wooden structure which was built in 1865. (see History of Archena) The iron bridge is now an important landmark on the picturesque footpath which runs along the western bank of the Segura as it passes through and this path in fact leads all the way to Lorquí Click for further information about the municipality of  Archena The Ministry of Development has announced that work has started to build a new 21.7-kilometre motorway north-west of the city of Murcia the aim being to reduce the congestion on the A-7 and the A-30 by separating local traffic from vehicles on longer-distance journeys The main cause of the traffic jams which form on a daily basis during the morning at lunchtime and again in the evening on the motorway which skirts the north-western edge of Murcia is the confluence of the A-7 which runs from Andalucía to Alicante and then north along the Mediterranean coast which leads from Cartagena in the south to Madrid in central Spain but which coincides with the A-7 for 4 kilometres between Espinardo and the Thader and Nueva Condomina shopping malls The new motorway will alleviate the problem by creating a kind of short cut for traffic between Madrid or Valencia and Andalucía (or thus easing the flow of traffic on the existing road by taking the new stretch of road and the MU-31 between Alcantarilla and El Palmar drivers will be able to travel between Madrid and Cartagena without using the “Ronda Oeste” motorway which runs alongside the western edge of the city: this is currently the busiest road in the Region of Murcia The whole project is budgeted at a cost of 139 million euros and is divided into three phases: section A 4.35 kilometres long and budgeted at 44.6 million euros section B (9.45 km and 48.7 million euros) and section C (7.9 kilometres and 45.6 million euros) The new road will run between the Alcantarilla junction on the A-7 and the Archena junction of the A-30, with 4 additional exits and entry points which will help to ease traffic in the municipalities of Archena and the work to create it has started with preparation of the land In the end its construction will entail the building of 7 viaducts Follow Murcia Today on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, events and information in the Region of Murcia and the rest of Spain: https://www.facebook.com/MurciaToday/ Murcia has a moderate level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 299 quakes on average per year in or near Murcia Murcia has had at least 3 quakes above magnitude 5 since 1970 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 15 to 20 years The quake had a very shallow depth of 6 km (3.7 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) Murcia has had 1 quake of magnitude 3.1 and 6 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0 There have been also 35 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel 2025 at 9.58 am local time (Europe/Madrid GMT +2) The depth of the quake is unknown.The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter.