As part of the 'Semanas Gastronómicas Totana 2025' gastronomy weeks of the town of Totana, in south-western Murcia the week of March 10 to 16 being celebrated as the 'Week of the Artichoke' Billed by Totana's local tourist board as a chance to discover the tender heart of the authentic delicacy Artichoke Week involves special dishes made using artichokes at a series of Totana bars and restaurants 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)  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 a concept that truly defines this Spanish plant: its solar panels share the land with agriculture thereby making Totana one of the pioneering Enel Green Power plants in the application of agrivoltaic technology It’s a harmonious merger of innovation and tradition at the service of the energy transition Totana is the first completed project out of the seven solar parks (for a total capacity of 339 MW) that were awarded to Enel Green Power Spain (EGPE) in July 2017 following the third renewable energy auction held by the Spanish Government Located in the town of the same name in the region of Murcia can generate 150 GWh/year and consists of 248,000 photovoltaic modules for an investment of 59 million euros The plant’s construction phase was in line with Enel Green Power’s Sustainable Worksite model These included the use of renewable energy during construction thanks to a photovoltaic system that covered worksite requirements The solar panels were later donated to the José Moyá Day Center (for people suffering from mental health issues) which EGPE also fitted with efficient lighting Other initiatives included waste recycling and organic composting during the construction phase Furthermore, the premises were built following the Creating Shared Value (CSV) model Totana’s construction led to the creation of new jobs while the employability of the population also improved as the hiring of local labor was prioritized unemployed local residents were given training courses on renewable energy and local schools and the José Moyá Day Center were able to offer environmental awareness programs Innovative technologies were used to improve Totana’s construction process En este momento no hay otros eventos relacionados Visita nuestra página de inicio para buscar más eventos The series of 12 gastronomic weeks in Totana during 2025 continues between 17th and 23rd February with 22 bars and restaurants taking part in the Squid Week during which customers will be asked to bote for their favourite dish and the winners of a prize draw take away a free weekend for two in hotel accommodation in Mojácar Full details of all the dishes being served will be made available through the QR code below… For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today The celebrations of Carnival in Totana this year include the 6th national Drag Queen event on Saturday February 22 at the Auditorio Municipal Marcos Ruiz (in Calle Calvo Sotelo) with entrants competing for prizes of up to 1,200 euros The event begins at 21.00 and is hosted by Fina Boss Tickets are priced at 10 euros if purchased in advance and 13 euros on the door For further information contact the tourist office in Totana (telephone 968 422556) The Tourist Information Office in Totana is in Plaza de la Balsa Vieja having moved from its former location in the the Town hall and is right in the heart of the older quarter of Totana a one minute walk from the main underground carparking The tourist office is able to supply town maps and information about the walking options within the Sierra Espuña and places of local interest to visit The town has a number of churches and monuments which offer a pleasant walk with a stop-off for coffee and the weekly town market is popular with local expats Totana is famous for its local ceramic manufacturers and the Tourist office can supply a list of working ceramicists and locations where local ceramic products can be purchased and the local artesans are able to manufacture personalised designs and housename plaques to order Click for more information about the Totana municipality The series of 12 gastronomic weeks in Totana during 2025 continues between 7th and 13th April with 19 bars and restaurants taking part in the Cod Week during which customers will be asked to bote for their favourite dish and those taking part are entered into a prize draw take away a free weekend for two in hotel accommodation in Mojácar The establishments taking part are Los Pepes (Note: if and when tickets for stands in the streets go on sale, details will be added here. Alternatively, seek information from the tourist office of Totana in the Plaza Balsa Vieja.) The Semana Santa or Holy Week celebrations in Totana are particularly well regarded and are among the most important of the Region of Murcia featuring processions which date back to the 18th century Nowadays the events are organized by 16 Cofradías (brotherhoods or guilds) who parade nearly 30 splendid figures and tableaux (“Pasos”) winding streets of the town providing a perfect backdrop More than 3,000 guild members don their Nazarene tunics for the processions 390 of them being the "ladies of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza" who wear the "mantilla" (the traditional lace headdress) rosary beads and the devotional scapular and carry walking staffs in their silent procession on the Wednesday of Easter Week Most of the guilds were formed during the 19th century but in the 1930s the Civil War devastated the sculptures and tableaux of Totana The regeneration of the Semana Santa celebrations after the War included the foundation of four new guilds who helped to regain the splendour of the old traditions with new icons One of the stand-out features of Semana Santa in Totana is the presence of the "Armaos" whose participation is always warmly applauded by the assembled crowds and the group dates back to the 18th century when eighteen men from the most important families in the town dressed as Romans to carry the figures of Nuestro Padre Jesús and the Holy Sepulchre in the Good Friday evening procession Another important aspect of Totana’s processions is the "Bocina" (siren) or "Dragón" which is carried on a trolley and sounds a sad wail during the parades The music and colour of Semana Santa make this a special time to visit Totana and if you can tie in a visit as part of your Semana Santa schedule you won’t be disappointed The two main locations are the Parroquia (parish church) de Santiago which is in the main square (Plaza de la Constitución) and the Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías in the Plaza de las Trés Ave Marías close by The main events in Semana Santa 2025 in Totana are the following: 18.00: Holy Mass in the Ermita del Calvario 21.00: Vía Crucis from the Parroquia de las Tres Avemarías with the figure of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno 21.00: Meeting of Jesús de la Humildad and Nuustra Señora de la Fe in the Plaza de la Constitución On this Sunday morning the palm decorations sold for Palm Sunday and then the procession of La Burrica and the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem takes place in the streets of Totana Jesus leads the way on a donkey and is followed by families in their Sunday best 10.45: The Blessing of the Palms procession in the Plaza de la Constitución followed by Holy Mass in the Parroquia de Santiago Procession route: Plaza de la Constitución and return to Plaza de la Constitución There is also a second parade leaving from the little Ermita de San Roque also at 10.45 returning to the church: Ermita de San Roque Juan de la Cierva and concluding in the Glorieta del Convento 20.30: Semana Santa concert by the Agrupación Musical de Totana in the church of Santiago El Mayor 21.00: Penitential Procession leaving the Convento de las Tres Avemarías with 3 pasos (the Ecce Homo Cristo del Consuelo and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores) This follows a route from the Glorieta del Convento to General Páramo 22.15: The platforms to carry the tableaux featured in the processions of the following two days arrive at the church of Santiago 22.00: Procession leaving the Parroquia de Santiago in Plaza de la Constitución 6 pasos: Ángel de la Pasión, Jesús Flagelado San Juan Evangelista and Nuestra Señora de la Fe 22.00: Procession in silence starting at the Parroquia de Santiago featuring the pasos of Cristo de la Agonía and Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza General Aznar and concluding in the Plaza de la Constitución 9.00: Handing over of the flag to the "Armaos" (Roman Soldiers) in the Plaza de la Constitución 11.45: The tableaux participating in the evening procession arrive at the church of Santiago 18.00: Celebration of the Last Supper in the church of Santiago 18.30: Celebration of the Last Supper in the church of Las Tres Avemarías Santísimo Cristo de la Caída Santa María Magdalena and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores) Route: Plaza de la Constitución (church of Santiago) Calle Padre Ángel de Novelé; Plaza de Juan de la Cierva; Calle Juan XXIII; Calle San Antonio 10.30: Procession from the Parroquia de Santiago with 9 pasos (Samaritana 14.30: The figure of Jesús en el Calvario arrives at the church of Santiago 18.00: Good Friday Mass in the church of Santiago 18.30: Good Friday Mass in the church of Las Tres Avemarías 19.45: The figure of the Holy Sepulchre arrives at the church of Santiago 19.55: The figure of Cristo de la Sangre arrives at the church of Santiago 21.00: Procesión del Santo Entierro leaving from the Parroquía de Santiago This is one of the most important processions of the week with 14 pasos (Elevación de la Cruz 23.00: Easter Vigil and Resurrection Mass in the churches of Santiago and las Tres Avemarías Día de la Resurreción (Easter Sunday) This is the morning of light and resurrection the figure of the Holy Virgen de la Alegría leaving from the Tres Ave Marías and Jesus Arisen leaving from the Plaza de la Constitución at 10.30 Each follows its own route then they meet at 12.00 midday in what’s known as an "encuentro" 10.45: Procession of the figure of Jesus Arisen - Plaza de la Constitución 11.15: Procession of the figure of the Holy Virgen de la Alegría - Glorieta del Convento 12.00: The two processions meet in the Plaza de la Constitución Images: Ilustre Cabildo Superior de Procesiones de Totana See the modification of the bus schedules on the regular line Lorca - Alhama - Totana - Camposol - Mazarrón - Puerto de Mazarrón - Bolnuevo from October 1 The transport company that operates the regular line Lorca - La Hoya - Alhama - Totana – El Paretón - Camposol - Puerto de Mazarrón has announced a modification in the schedules of its services which came into force at the beginning of this month Users of this bus service are recommended to consult the new schedules to properly plan their journeys and avoid inconveniences For more local news, events and other information go to the home page of Murcia Today One of the most fascinating ancient archaeological sites of south-eastern Spain is La Bastida which was an Argaric settlement just outside the modern town of Totana as long as 4,000 years ago Online booking is available here at a price of 6 euros for children and 10 euros for adults Please note: pets may not accompany visitors and if insufficient numbers of participants are reached then the business holding the event will notify of its cancellation Further information is available from the tourist office of Totana on weekdays between 9.00 and 14.00 (telephone 968 418153) Alternatively, the organizers themselves can be contacted at reserva@idiarta.es or on 968 069202 The heavy rains in the Region of Murcia have caused the closure of ten roads in Cartagena, Cehegín, Moratalla, Lorca, Totana, and Mazarrón. | Europa Press NEWS Alert in Murcia Due to Rain: Roads Flooded and Chaos in Several CitiesIn Lorca the authorities have asked residents to stay in their homes due to adverse weather conditions.06/03/2025 18:35:00h by Rafael Alejandro Escalona The Intense Rains in the Region of Murcia Have Led to the Closure of Ten Roads in Cartagena, Cehegín, Moratalla, Lorca, Totana, and Mazarrón. The Ministry of Development and Infrastructure has reported these incidents. In Lorca, the Authorities Have Asked Residents to Stay in Their Homes Due to Adverse Weather Conditions. In recent hours, the Firefighters of the Firefighting and Rescue Consortium have rescued a woman trapped between two ravines in Lorca. The incident occurred near a scrapyard on the Caravaca de la Cruz road. The driver was taken to a meeting point where she received medical attention for symptoms of hypothermia. Precipitation of up to 30 mm in an hour and associated storms are expected. | Europa PressIn Moratalla, several people have been trapped in a campsite due to flooding. The Emergency Coordination Center 112 has managed 331 calls related to wind and rain since Wednesday. These calls correspond to 326 issues in various areas of the Community. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has raised the alert to orange level in Lorca and the Guadalentín Valley. Precipitation of up to 1.18 in. (30 mm) in an hour and associated storms are expected. The Lorca City Council has activated the Inunlor Plan in the emergency phase and has suspended events and closed municipal facilities. It is recommended to avoid travel in the affected areas. In Cartagena, the rains have forced the closure of schools in La Aljorra and the closure of several roads due to water accumulation. Mayor Noelia Arroyo, following recommendations from emergency services, has taken these measures. The incident occurred near a scrapyard on the Caravaca de la Cruz road. | Europa PressCivil Protection, Local Police, and Firefighters are working to ensure public safety. Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid flooded areas. No personal injuries have been reported, although drivers in distress have been assisted. The Emergency Coordination Center 112 Has Activated the Inunmur Plan in the Pre-Emergency Phase Throughout the Region. This measure is due to the overflow of sections of the Mula, Quípar, and Argos rivers, affecting nearby roads. The pre-emergency phase alerts authorities and services and informs the population about possible problems due to water accumulation. AEMET's weather forecasts indicate intense rains until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. So far, 112 has managed 28 calls related to obstacles on the roads and water pumping. This is within the Parque Municipal Marcos Ortiz which is a park area running alongside the rambla The Auditorium itself is used during fiestas and town events hosting a number of concerts and theatrical performances There is a cafeteria within the complex and childrens play facilities Surrounding the open-air auditorium is a pleasant shaded park area with facilities for children and shaded seating Daytimes Sunday to Friday 10:00 - 14:00 and 15:00 to 21:00 Saturdays and festivals 10:00 - 14:00 and 15:00 to 22:00 Sunday to Friday 11:00 - 14:00 and 15:00 to 22:00 Saturdays and Festivals 11:00 - 14:00 and 15:00 to 23:00 The park is alongside the Rambla which runs through the centre of Totana Click for map, Calle Jose Calvo Sotelo Click for further information about the municipality of Totana Endesa has begun to combine renewable generation with the use of agricultural land in these four solar plants within the framework of an agrivoltaic project that head of environmental innovation at Endesa "not only focuses on maintenance or recovery of agricultural or livestock activities where a photovoltaic plant has been built or is planned to be built." It also pursues promotion or improvement of local ecosystems and habitats focusing efforts on the recovery of the soil and on those species that are protected or vital for their maintenance or the improvement of crops ”The company has selected specific activities for each site assessing factors such as the existing ecosystem the traditional use of the land in each site the type of soil and the availability of water resources all conditioned by weather conditions.To evaluate the agronomic viability of the solutions proposed in each plant a team of Endesa experts visited the sites gathering the information necessary for the correct implementation of the project: site conditions nearby farmers interested in the crop and / or in grazing information on local cooperatives and specific traditional crops "But it is not only necessary to take into account the type of crop but also it is necessary to analyze the impact that any of the agrivoltaic activities may have on the operation and maintenance of a photovoltaic plant," the company said.Endesa has already planted in Totana with the help of the Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDA) The Las Corchas photovoltaic plant in the Sevillian town of Carmona will be the next to have new plants among photovoltaic panels in the hands of the Extremadura Agrifood Technology Center (CTAEX) it will plant aromatic and medicinal plants such as sage lavender or coriander for cosmetic and food use in the coming months.Endesa and CTAEX will also plant different species in the Augusto and Valdecaballero plants in the province of Badajoz this spring along with legume species such as alfalfa to promote biodiversity species such as the prolific prairie will be planted for animal use and aromatic and medicinal plants for cosmetic and curative use.With this initiative in addition to improving the environmental footprint to generate value for the local community through shared use of the land in large photovoltaic plants thus enhancing the long-term sustainability of the projects By 2024-02-13T11:24:00+00:00 Paper-based packaging specialist Smurfit Kappa presented a European first at Fruit Logistica in Berlin namely the release of its AgroLife treatment for agricultural packaging general manager of Smurfit Kappa Totana Fruit Logistica 2024 Agrolife AgroLife is designed to increase the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables through the absorption of ethylene which delays the ripening process in fresh produce the treatment is applied to paper-based agricultural packaging AgroLife is 100 per cent food contact friendly and does not affect the recyclability of the packaging said that the AgroLife treatment offered many benefits “Being able to extend the shelf-life of fresh produce using only the box itself means nothing external needs to be used,” he explained it means that food waste is reduced,” said Llopis “Being able to extend the shelf-life of the product means you can pick later The fact that the treatment is integrated into the shelf-ready packaging means that batches do not need to be manipulated as it moves through the supply chain ultimately improving produce appearance and quality when it reaches the end consumer “The hormone ethylene is a gas produced by fruits and vegetables which is responsible for growth and ripening,” noted Enrique Guillén regional manager south-east at Smurfit Kappa Spain “Both climatic and non-climatic products are sensitive to ethylene as it reduces their quality and shelf-life once harvested,” he continued “This is an inconvenience for the entire fruit and vegetable supply chain therefore AgroLife is going to be vital throughout the fresh produce supply chain.” Site powered by Webvision Cloud ARCHIVED - British pilot from Totana killed as light aircraft crashes into the sea off Cabo de Palos" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> Tragedy struck on Saturday morning when a 66 year- old British national believed to reside in the Totana municipality died when his light aircraft crashed into the sea just off the coast of Cabo de Palos in the Cartagena municipality of the Murcia region Eye witness José Luis Martínez who was paddle surfing when he saw the accident occur relates seeing the aircraft practising the “loop the loop” manoeuvre very low over the surface of the sea hitting the surface with such force that the plane disintegrated on impact He immediately paddled towards the crash site and saw the body of the pilot floating on the surface of the water and was aided in recovering the body by a canoeist who had also seen the accident but nothing could be done to revive the 66 year-old who had apparently died on impact and was declared dead at the scene by emergency personnel attending the incident which departed from the Totana flying club although an extensive search is underway of the crash site with marine rescue services and divers from the Guardia Civíl to confirm that there are no further casualties Additional info: There has been widespread coverage of the accident in the British media claiming that the pilot died whilst flying in thick fog One of the eye-witnesses reported in the Spanish language media that the weather was "hazy" but the information published by the state meteorological agency Aemet does not indicate the presence of thick fog in the area so it has been impossible to ascertain whether this was correct or not Images taken by air search and rescue just minutes after the accident which are those used on this article Various comments on social media from within the ex-pat community claim the information published is erroneous as the pilot "would never have flown aerobatic manouevres" as he "wasn´t that kind of pilot" but until the technical investigation and autopsy have been completed only the eye-witness who saw the accident and stated that the pilot had been engaged in a loop the loop the manouevre has been quoted in the original report; obviously the social media users making their comments were not eye-witnesses and did not see what actually occurred We deliberately took the decision not to publish the name of the deceased or the image being widely published by the Spanish language media (and The Sun from facebook) taken just before the pilot left the club out of respect for his family and for hinself; as stated above whom we had met on a previous occasion and are very sad to report his passing Murcian schoolchildren are due to start a new term on Monday but pupils from Jumilla and Archivel in Caravaca de la Cruz will not be permitted to do so presencially due to the fact that the municipality of Jumilla and pedanía of Archivel (Caravaca de la Cruz) have been confined due to the high level of coronavirus On Saturday it was confirmed that schoolchildren in Lorca after the Mayors of these three municipalities requested that the regional government temporarily postpone a presencial return to school due to the very high numbers of cases in all three municipalities The regional Government is keen to avoid any form of confinement as it is widely recognised that it is damaging for local businesses but is meeting with the Mayor of Lorca on Monday at his request to discuss intensifying the measures currently in place The figures in Lorca have been increasing at a steady rate for the last month According to the latest epidemiological report the cumulative incidence per 100,000 inhabitants in the previous 7 days in these municipalities amounts to 434 in Lorquí Classes will be transmitted online so that children can study at home until it is considered safe for them to attend presencial classes There have been many such situations in schools across Spain this week as many pupils returned in other regions a week earlier Enormous efforts are being made to isolate children into smaller “bubble groups” implement strict measures to protect children but all over Spain there have already been many classes closed due to positive cases in both staff and pupils and significant problems in some areas with parents choosing not to take their children to school at all said on Thursday that “incidents” had occurred in 53 schools nationally this week out of the 28,600 schools which have resumed classes so although dozens of class closures and quarantines have been reported in the first 3 days of the new term the number of such cases will increase once the remaining schools return In anticipation of staff members being forced to quarantine should their pupils test positive the Murcian government announced on Friday afternoon that it had contracted an additional 700 teaching staff in addition to the 800 "spare" staff already contracted A family living in the centre of Totana received the fright of their lives at the weekend when they found that a large snake had somehow made its way into their living-room and was making itself at home underneath the furniture The Policía Local were called out immediately and were able to capture the reptile before transporting it to an area of the mountains of Sierra Espuña which is known as the Camino de la Piedra de la Víbora (the path of the Viper Stone) ARCHIVED - Horseshoe whip snake found in a family home in the centre of Totana" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> The animal was identified as a horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) which is a native species in southern Spain and can reach up to 1.5 metres in length Although its natural habitat is in the mountains it is not uncommon for snakes to be attracted to the heat of car engines and in this way they can sometimes become a stowaway as people drive back into towns the local police report that they are unaware of anyone in Totana ever having been bitten by a disorientated horseshoe whip snake ARCHIVED - Tragic accident in Totana as 20 year old British national dies in motocross accident" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> Mazarrón local police and regional emeergency services have issued information to the effect that a 20 year old British national described only as being "non-resident" has died in a motocross accident at the Paraje de Los Balcones motocross circuit in the Totana municipality in an accident on Thursday 19th December Initial reports from the 112 services indicated that they were called to the scene after the rider managed to leave the track experiencing difficulties in breathing after the accident indicating that an impact had damaged respiratory tracts.  information which has since come to light indicates that this may not be the case and that the deceased was not able to move following the accident As a mark of respect to the family this article has been placed into the archive as investigations into the actual sequence of events are undertaken and attempts made by the family to clarify what has actually occurred No attempts are being made whatsoever by Murcia Today to discover any further information or apportion blame in the full understanding that the family will be devastated by what has happened just before Christmas Although a unit from the mobile emergencies service from the regional health authorities was sent to the track local police and Protección Civíl all mobilised staff immediately to assist the deceased is confirmed to have died at the scene after losing consciousness and all attempts at resuscitation failed Deepest deepest sympathies to family and friends at this difficult time It's impossible to understand how they must be feeling and we would request politely that readers desist from sharing the article on social media out of respect to the family The original post has been removed from social media although we understand that the post is still being shared Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin to get a comprehensive email with all the week’s news for Spain Get a sneak peek – here are a few of our recent Subscription Bulletins: The Town Hall of Lorca has unveiled a new and spectacular fully signposted walking route in the north of the vast municipality (the second largest in Spain) leading from the village of Zarzadilla de Totana to the cave known as the Cueva del Compadre in the mountains of the Sierra de Pedro Ponce On the one hand this reflects the council’s commitment to promoting healthy outdoor living and physical exercise while on the other it gives a boost to the profile of an area which is infrequently visited despite its wonderful landscape and the variety of wildlife to which it is home Around Zarzadilla de Totana are numerous species of birds of prey including the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) the short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) The 3.3-kilometre return route begins at the small parish church of Zarzadilla de Totana and includes a climb of 218 metres up to the Cueva del Compadre It is appropriate for all ages and most fitness levels with the exception of the very young and the elderly At the top of the climb is an information board explaining which geographical features can be seen from this privileged spot For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern City has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish Quarter of the castle and Synagogue Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as an earthquake which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings some of which are currently still not open The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is on Calle San Patricio near the church Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre although many are accessible only through agricultural exploitations the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen located within the complex of its historic castle ARCHIVED - March 31 to April 9 Semana Santa 2023 celebrations in Totana" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" />The music and colour of Semana Santa make this a special time to visit Totana The main events in Semana Santa 2023 in Totana are the following: 20.30: Transfer of the figure of La Burrica to the church of Santiago 21.15: The Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra (OSRM) and the Vox Musicalis and Coro Diatessaron choirs perform Rutter's Requiem in the church of Santiago El Mayor Guest soprano Judit Muñoz Sellés.  22.15: The tableaux featured in the processions of the following two days arrive at the church of Santiago ARCHIVED - March 31 to April 9 Semana Santa 2023 celebrations in Totana" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> 11.00: Procession of the figure of Jesus Arisen - Plaza de la Constitución 11.00: Procession of the figure of the Holy Virgen de la Alegría - Glorieta del Convento This Vía Crucis of Santa Eulalia is an unexpected gem set in the verdant hillsides of the Sierra Espuña The road winds uphill for a kilometre from the picnic area of El Ángel, which is opposite the sanctuary of Santa Eulalia sculptures of the stations of the cross glowing white against the pine-clad rocks of the roadside as the path leads to a vast figure of Christ and glorious views out across the agricultural plains below It's a fabulous place to bring the visitors and show them just how lucky you are to live in Murcia and is a calm oasis of pine-scented soul food when a gentle walk uphill is a welcome tonic from the summer heat on a breezy July evening Opposite the Vía Crucis is the Santuario de la Santa a former religious structure which has been converted into a hotel and leisure complex The hotel is the site of artisan fairs on Sunday mornings throughout the cooler months and is also widely used for functions and special occasions It has a beautifully painted chapel which is the home of the image of Santa Eulalia of Mérida who is carried down 7 kilometres into town annually in a Romeria accompanied by thousands of locals Her descent and subsequent ascent along the twisting road between the sanctuary and the town are huge events locally and the whole area surrounding the sanctuary is filled with families and friends enjoying a convivial meal after a good walk: participation in this annual event is an experience to be enjoyed should the opportunity present itself Santa Eulalia de Mérida is not a local saint but was brought to this area by the Order of Santiago a community of religious knights who took control of the area in 1257 after the Kingdom of Murcia was taken from the Moors by the Kingdom of Castilla Murcia had been in the hands of the Moors for more than 500 years and had formed part of the Moorish Kingdom of Tudmir.  Slowly the Christian Kingdoms of northern Spain re-took the territories ruled by the Moors and in 1243 the Treaty of Alcaraz was signed cementing the Reconquista of the Kingdom of Murcia by Prince Alfonso (later Alfonso X “El Sabio”) of Castilla Alfonso named his brother Manuel as governor before placing both Aledo and Totana in the hands of the Order of Santiago in 1257 and from that point onwards it was the Order who appointed the “concejiles” (Mayors) and ecclesiastical authorities Santa Eulalia was the patron saint of the order of Santiago and a small centre of worship was established in this location although at that point the fortress of Aledo was significatly more important as the area lay on the border with the last remaining Nazrid Kingdom of Granada and was subject to frequent incursions from across the border The Torre de Homenaje and medieval walls can still be seen today in Aledo Santa Eulalia is the patron of the ill and many miracles pertaining to healing and cripples are attributed to her intervention. She was martyred at the age of twelve suffering horrendous torture at the hands of the Romans after refusing to make offerings to the Roman gods She was literally torn to pieces by her executioners cutting off her breasts and burning her flesh until she suffocated from the smoke At the moment of her death a white dove is said to have emerged from her mouth and snow fell out of nowhere to cover her body Her cult virtually died out in the 14th century but by the 16th century a more substantial building had been erected in Totana and the current sanctuary continued to evolve until the present day The words Via Crucis mean Way of the Cross representing the principal moments experienced by Jesus during the last days of his life often to be found as tiled plaques or crosses on the wall of village houses, or very occasionally During Lent it is customary to follow the route of the Via Crucis stopping at each point for a biblical reading In Murcia the Via Crucis is followed each Wednesday morning at 6am in Cartagena enormous gilded "tronos" sway through the streets bearing Jesus and Mary resplendent in a sea of flowers in Moratalla the Via Crucis is celebrated with a theatrical journey through the stations of the cross culminating in the hair-raising crucifixion in the church square while in Lorca dozens of robed penitents walk the route barefoot This sculptural Via Crucis was built in 1965 who was the priest at the church in the sanctuary and comprises 14 pieces by Murcia sculptor Anastasio Martínez Valcárcel including the monumental 9-metre Sagrado Corazon de Jesus which dominates the surrounding countryside This is a stunning collection of curvaceous portraying the emotional story of the last days of Christ set in the natural surroundings of the Sierra Espuña Although they were created in the 1960's and in spite of the marked contrast with the rocks and pines of the hillside are at one with nature their flowing lines complementing the smooth rocks and twisting roots They rise from the foliage to project their message then disappear back into the landscape as the onlooker continues on the journey followed by Christ in the last week of his life At the last station visitors stop off to absorb the countryside below them spread beneath their feet and contemplate the sorrow of those who loved him before turning to witness the glory of the resurrection as the immense white figure of Christ resurrected punches through the bright blue skyline it's an uplifting experience to see such beautiful pieces in an open-air setting and drink in the air as you walk Those walking this Vía Crucis can park in the El Ángel car park and barbecue area at the bottom and walk approximately one kilometre up the hill or persuade the car driver to leave the passengers at the top so they can have the luxury of only having to walk down Those with restricted mobility can enjoy a steady drive up and down slowing to observe the sculptures and the magnificent views at the top The first piece seen in the car park is the Angel made by the father of the man who sculpted the Vía Crucis The stations are then positioned on both sides of the road as follows - Simon helps Jesus to shoulder his burden - Jesus urges the daughters of Jerusalem not to cry for him gas cookers and barbeques of any sort are banned between the end of April and the end of October If the autumn is wet the ban is lifted between November and December but it is advisable to check before lighting fires during these months This is an uphill road and is not the easiest of places for those with physical disabilities to access The car park at the top gives splendid views but both of the viewing points have stepped access so are not easy to negotiate for wheelchair users although the sculptures can be clearly seen from a car Driving into the centre of Totana, you will see the signposts for the Sanctuary, Sierra Espuña and Aledo then follow the road around to the left up Santa Eulalia This is the main road out of the back of Totana set back off the road a short distance from the town centre; this small church is where Santa Eulalia is received and spends the night on her journey down into the town every year Click for more information about the municipality of Totana ARCHIVED - Totana Mayor asks for return to school to be delayed in the municipality" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> The Sierra Espuña is a pine clad haven of cool in the summer and a glorious place to enjoy a walk at any time of year with a vast range of options available to those looking for an enjoyable day out in the Region of Murcia One of the most popular walks takes in the snowhouses which literally translates as wells of ice which supplied ice to the cities of Murcia and Cartagena in the days before refrigeration became a way of life The snowhouses in the Sierra Espuña are distributed in two distinct groups known as the "Pozos de Cartagena " and the "Pozos de Murcia" and whilst most are in a ruinous state of abandon one has been fully restored and a couple of others still have a roof intact There are snow houses in various areas of the Region of Murcia - Jumilla They were first built  at the end of the 16th century packed with snow during the winter which was compacted down to produce solid blocks of ice taken to the cities as a luxury for the very rich They were a source of constant employment until the end of the 19th century when the first ice making factory was built in Murcia capital each of which could hold up to a million kilos of ice which was transported by horse and carriage to the cities between May and September when the greatest demand for iced drinks and sorbets existed naturally the heat of the journey resulted in "shrinkage" approximately 35% of the ice melting before reaching its destination Surrounding the pozos were a number of dwellings and a small hermitage and it is believed that much of the cutting and packing was done by the Gipsy population of Totana although more historical research is underway to try and ascertain the descent of those who inhabited the area and carried out this work Many people are unaware that much of the forested areas we see today were only planted at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century an initiative spearheaded by a remarkable man  Ricardo Codorníu y Stárico a Cartagena native with a passion for the environment who studied forestry engineering in Madrid and visited the Sierra Espuña in 1889 expressing his horror at he devastation he found there Murcia had undergone a massive economic and industrial boom following the arrival of the railways to the region in 1862 its mineral wealth creating vast industrial activity and construction stripping bare the hillsides of the region Ricardo Codorníu undertook a vast project to replant 20,000 hectares of hillside a remarkable achievement by a remarkable man By the early 20th century the wells had fallen into a sorry state and it was not until recently that works were undertaken to try and bring the deterioration under control which has been completely restored using the traditional methods of construction with an interesting goal; a look inside an original restored Pozo de Nieve and continue until you reach a point at which it is necessary to turn left or right Follow the road down until you come to a right hand junction about 2 km on,  andyou´ll see a pile of stones on the corner and a big forestry sign You´ll see the sign sending you left to the Pozos de nieve Eventually you´ll arrive at a parking space on the right hand side with signposts it´s a good 20-25 minute drive.  Click for map, Pozos de nieve, Sierra espuña. It´s just a short walk to the restored snowhouse literally less than 100 metres from the carpark and from there you can walk as far as you choose on a well worn route around the other snow house ruins.  The route climbs up to a glorious vantage point and if you´re lucky you may see herds of Arrui wandering around on the hillsides as they´re very common in this area Many families take a picnic and stay in the area or head back towards Aledo or Totana in search of a lunchtime meal Centro de Visitantes Richard Codorníu For more information, Click Centro de Visitantes Ricardo Codorníu For more information about the Sierra Espuña and suggested days out, Click An Introduction to the Sierra Espuña ARCHIVED - February 18 to 25 Carnival 2023 in Totana" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="325" />The fiestas of Carnival in Totana are organised by the Federación de Peñas and most of the events take place in the Parque Municipal Marcos Ortiz municipal park where there is a large open-air auditorium and plenty of space to mill around and enjoy the various entertainments on offer and on the main days of the Carnival bars will be open in the marquee the first of which is on Saturday February 18 and features the Totana peñas (participating troupes) only while the second a week later on February 25 includes peñas invited from across the Region of Murcia there is a children’s parade on February 19 in the morning with the rest of the day featuring plenty of entertainment for the younger generation The main events of the 2023 Carnival program in Totana include the following: 17.00: Carnival parade featuring local troupes Midnight: Gathering of the Peñas in the marquee and Auditorio Marcos Ortiz 11.30: Parade for those with special needs 20.30: Mask party in the Plaza de la Constitución 21.00: Masked parade from Plaza de la Constitución to Plaza de la Maderera 16.30: The main Carnival parade featuring invited and local troupes and the children’s Muse of Carnival and Don Carnal Midnight: Carnival party in the marquee and Auditorio Marcos Ortiz For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today ARCHIVED - Totana bars and restaurants fear ruin as confinement measures begin" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> Video; Paco Candela Ayuntamiento de Totana Bar and restaurant owners have been out in the streets of Totana protesting at what they see as the almost certain ruin of their businesses following the decision of the Murcia Regional Health Authority to confine the municipality following an outbreak linked to the Pub Dubai. - those inside the municipality may move around freely within the affected area although non-essential movements are not recommended - Restaurants and bars are only permitted to open external terrace areas to a maximum of 50% capacity may not open internal spaces and must close by midnight - Shops under 400 square metres are the only ones permitted to open to full capacity the remainder may only admit 30% of their capacity The health centres have been closed and put on a code red alert level which means that they are not open for general surgery only to attend to Covid cases and any urgent health needs The centros de día for the elderly have been closed and restrictions placed on visits to the residencias for the elderly This was done on Thursday evening and the acting judge in court number 3 of the Murcia court of instruction ratified the request of the health authority to contain the population due to the public health risk The measures will be reviewed after one week The Ministry of Health is uncomfortable with the implications of the words lockdown or confinement "people are not prohibited from leaving their home: they are advised not to go out" so the measures applied today "are not a confinement" Totana was actually the last municipality to leave the de-escalation of the state of emergency due to an outbreak amongst the agricultual sector of the municipality which put it a week behind the remainder of the region so local businesses have had less time than other municipalities to start recouping some of the losses racked up during the first lockdown when they were forced to close altogether Many businesses are struggling to survive the Covid crisis and these latest measures will do little to help Totana businesses recover; the hostelry sector protested in front of the town hall holding placards announcing “for sale” as the Mayor spoke to them about the  health authority The Mayor is resigned to the inevitable that the municipality must go through a painful few days in order to contain the virus one of his biggest concerns being that the current situation could lead to racial tension or bad feelings towards the 3,500 Latin-Anerican residents of the municipality In an interview published with La Verdad this evening he explained that the pub related to the outbreak is well-known amongst the local population and within the town hall as a problematic venue frequently the subject of complaints about noise and rowdy behaviour He believes that the original point of contagion was a DJ who had played a set in Atalalayas before continuing in the Pub Dubai in Totana and had brought the virus to the municipality Two out of three cases across the whole of the region at the moment is within the Latin-American community. Read more here. The regional hostelry association Hostemur said on Thursday that more help should be given to the hostelry sector "At the moment the objective is to save businesses The pandemia won´t be over in September it's going to remain amongst us and we have to find ways of living with it." Jesús Jiménez,president of Hostemur said that during the last few days the association had seen "an important number of cancellations of accommodation on the coast of the region " and criticised the abrupt measures which have forced the closure of discos and leisure areas all of which was hitting the hostelry sector harder than other sectors ARCHIVED - Updated bus timetable for Alhama Puerto de Mazarron May 2020" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> 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 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 tourist office also carries leaflets for the many cultural events and fiestas which take place in Alhama throughout the year Christmas,the Romería of La Candelaria and the Auto de los Reyes Magos in El Berro For more local information, including news and forthcoming events, visit the home page of Alhama Today.  Click for more information about La Bastida which can be printed off using the icons in the header bar Reservations for all visits can be made at the Totana tourist office in person 30th November and 1st December Totana Mediaeval market" style="margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; float: left" width="100%" /> Join the South West Murcia group on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and events in Mazarrón, Alhama de Murcia, Fuente Álamo, Águilas, Totana, Lorca and Puerto Lumbreras;https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthWestMurciaEventsAndInfo/