The 23rd season of free concerts organized in Yecla by the Escuela de Música of the Asociación de Amigos de la Música de Yecla and the Town Hall is being held at 19.30 on Saturday April 26 at the Escuela de Música (Calle de España 12) featuring singer Sofía Martínez and pianist Francisco Muñoz Sofía Martínez first started studying singing at the local music school with teacher José Antonio Cecilia in 2018 and later took up the piano She has taken part in numerous local projects Francisco Muñoz has been playing the piano since 2009 and in 2016 was admitted to the Profesional in Almansa from where he has since graduated and moved on to the Conservatorio Superior Manuel Massotti Little in Murcia For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today In early 2025, due to renovation work at the usual office, the service is located on the other side of the Plaza Mayor at Calle Epifanio Ibáñez nº 2 (click for map) Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia and these days is best known for its wines which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors the gastonomy and of course the wine route Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups There is parking close to the tourist office although those driving to Yecla for the first time are advised to park in Calle Perales.  For further information go to the home page of Yecla Today Saturdays 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.30 Click for map, Yecla tourist office 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 Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain The Purísima Concepción festival in Yecla has been officially declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, a prestigious recognition that places it among 13 other celebrated festivals in the Region of Murcia This milestone highlights the festival’s growing importance and appeal not only to the local community but also to visitors from around the world This achievement follows a two-year effort led by a local association with strong backing from the Yecla Town Council and the Institute of Tourism of the Region of Murcia combined with a positive report from the regional government was instrumental in securing the festival’s new title The recognition acknowledges the festival’s cultural significance and its ability to attract a wide audience The Purísima Concepción festival has been celebrated for more than 380 years making it one of Yecla’s oldest and most cherished traditions the festival features a series of events that are deeply rooted in the town’s history Some of the most notable moments include ‘The Closed Arks,’ ‘The Descent,’ and ‘The Virgin’s Procession,’ all of which are rich in symbolism and historical significance The festival’s origins can be traced back to 1642 following the return of Yecla’s residents from the War of Catalonia This historical context adds depth to the celebrations as the event commemorates the resilience and spirit of the local community and activities that showcase Yecla’s cultural pride Though the festival has strong local roots thousands of visitors travel to Yecla to experience the unique atmosphere and vibrant events that characterise the Purísima Concepción festival This recognition elevates the event’s status as an international attraction ensuring that it will continue to attract visitors from near and far the Purísima Concepción festival in Yecla is poised to continue its legacy as one of the most significant cultural celebrations in the Region of Murcia The recent international recognition will only help to further cement its reputation as a must-see event for tourists and locals Read more Costa Calida news, articles and events here Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish MENU CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 19 January) — Marawi war hero Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo II has stepped down as commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) upon retirement and has been replaced by Brig The Philippine Army held a retirement ceremony for Cuerpo last Friday attended by retired Army generals and former commanders at the 4ID’s Camp Evangelista in Barangay Patag here Cuerpo is celebrating his 57th birthday the mandatory age for retirement in the AFP former deputy commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command and commander of Task Force Davao,  took over as acting 4ID commander in a ceremony presided by Army Chief Lt Galido said Yecla will assume command in an “acting capacity” until Malacañang decides who will lead the Army division.  is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) 1990 Bigkas-Lahi class He gained prominence as aide and spokesperson for then AFP Vice Chief of Staff and Task Force Mindanao commander Lt General Cardozo Luna in the fighting between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Lanao del Norte in 2008 Cuerpo then the deputy commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade joined sniper teams hunting Maute-ISIS militants and was even seen manning a checkpoint As commander of the 4th Infantry Division Cuerpo dropped troops on the mountains using the new “Black Hawk” helicopters and used the new Philippine Air Force Tocano bombers Cuerpo said he is glad that this military career ended without a major incident that could have blemished his record I am excited to start my new life as civilian,” Cuerpo said He said he is happy that he ended his military career with the 4th Infantry Division the same division he started as a young lieutenant  38 years ago. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews) No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews [dot] com The annual Romería of San Marcos in Yecla takes place on the Sunday nearest to the feast day of the Saint on 25th April and is a very popular event as locals celebrate the arrival of warmer spring weather in the Altiplano of northern Murcia This is a typical “romería” day beginning early at Cerrico de la Fuente with a hearty breakfast of gachasmigas Music is always provided by the Grupo Folclórico Arabí and more dancing and music follow prior to the large paella lunch The convivial atmosphere continues through the afternoon before party-goers travel the 5 kilometres back to Yecla The schedule for the event on Sunday 27th April is as follows: 8.00: Those taking part begin to gather at the Cerrico de la Fuente 8.30: The “gachasmigas” competition begins 9.15: Gachasmigas tasting and judging begins 10.30: Mass and singing by the Grupo Folclórico Arabí 11.00: Traditional folk dancing and a children’s fair with inflatable castles etc 12.00: More folk music and dancing from the Grupo Folclórico Arabí 16.00: The children’s fair continues 16.30: The annual Petanca competition (in pairs) Registration for the gachasmigas competition and the paella is open until Thursday 24th April at 14.00 at the Oficina de Festejos in the Town Hall of Yecla (Plaza Mayor The registration fees are 5 euros to enter the gachasmigas competition (minimum 10 people per group) and 4 euros per head for the paella 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)  Every year in mid-May in Yecla, reflecting the town’s agricultural heritage, local fiestas are celebrated in honour of San Isidro the patron saint of farmers and agriculture The veneration of San Isidro in the area has its roots a long way back. In 1710 there was already a well named after the saint (San Isidro El Viejo), but it was not until the 1940s that an image representing the medieval Castilian farmer who was canonized in 1622 was installed in the Basílica de la Purísima Over the following few years the tradition of a parade featuring carriages or floats developed and this has now become the main event of the Fiestas in Yecla After the official Queen and Ladies in Waiting of the fiestas have been proclaimed there follow various Holy Masses with the festivities culminating on the Saturday which falls closest to the feast day of San Isidro on 15th May in the parade known as the Gran Cabalgata de Carrozas The floats in this spectacular event are the result of thousands of man hours of preparation following which the wooden or metal structure is erected on tractor trailers There then follows the laborious and painstaking task of decorating the structure with 7-centimetre pieces of silk or manila paper which are crumpled and fixed to the framework Floats can be up to six metres long and a similar height meaning that tens of thousands of strips of paper are used in creating the finished article The scenes they depict are all related to Yecla and local agriculture The members of the “peñas” (or festive and folk groups) which prepare the floats dress for the Saturday parade in traditional local costume and the event is a riot of colour as confetti rains down on the participants and spectators The atmosphere is enlivened still further by the wine and food which are distributed to all those present and at the end of the event prizes are awarded for the best floats 18.00: The processional group sets out from the Fiestas Federation towards the home of the Fiestas Queen in Calle Ineria 40 along Calle Hospital 18.35: The processional group continues to the home of the children’s queen in Calle Arcipreste Esteban Díaz 29 along Calle Iberia and Calle San Antonio 19.15: The parade begins along Plaza José Martínez Sánchez Calle San Francisco to the Parque de la Constitución and the theatre 20.00: Opening speech of the fiestas at the Teatro Concha Segura 9.00: Classic bicycle rally and ride starting in the Parque de la Constitución.  12.00: The opening of an exhibition in the Casa de Cultura to celebrate 25 years of the Fiestas of San Isidro 19.00: Another exhibition opens at the Asociación de Mayordomos this one featuring miniature models and the winners of the photography competition.  21.00: The Los Ventorrillos fairground opens 9.30: Gachasmigas for all at Los Ventorrillos 12.30: A celebration in the Plaza de España of the 50th anniversary of the awarding of DOP status to the wines of Yecla 18.00: An official reception at the Town Hall for the groups taking part in the Ciudad de Yecla folk music abnd dancing festival which gets under way at the Teatro Concha Segura at 19.00 23.00: La Jungla Music Show at Los Ventorrillos 9.20: The fiestas queen and children’s queen repeat the same itinerary as on May 4 with a parade beginning at 10.15 the Procession and Offering to San Isisdro Labrador Reduced prices at the fairground in Los Ventorrillos 20.30: The traditional meal of bread and olive oil at Los Ventorrillos 18.15: The fiestas queen and children’s queen repeat the same itinerary as on May 3 with a parade beginning at 19.10 to the Plaza Mayor 20.00: Parade from the Town Hall to Los Ventorrillos with the flags and standards of the “peñas” (participating groups) 20.30: The Act of Homage to the Peñas at Los Ventorrillos 23.00: Comedy and DJ music at Los Ventorrillos 19.00: Following an official march to the homes of the fiestas queen and children’s queen the Federation parades to the Basílica along Calle Cura Ibáñez Calle España and to the Basilica.  19.30: The procession begins from the Basílica to the church of Santa Bárbara Calle Martínez Corbalán and back to the Plaza de España and the entrance of the Basílica de la Purísima 11.30 to 14.00: Wine tasting at the old railway station organized by DOP Yecla 10.00: The floats gather around the old station 10.30: A free guided tour of the old town centre and the floats on display near the station, Prior registration is required online here.  Calle Arcipreste Esteban Díaz and the Antigua Estación 23.00: Live music from Orquesta Mito at Los Ventorrillos 19.00: Prizes are awarded at Los Ventorrillos for the best floats in the previous day’s parade Community day of festivity in the village of Raspay: 18.00: Holy Mass followed by a parade through the streets If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today Guided walks on and around the mystical mountain of Monte Arabí in Yecla and this summer evening hike promises to be even more in demand so get your bookings in early as places are limited Helping to lead the activity are local astronomy enthusiasts who will be pointing out some of the wonders of the sky at night during the walk participants are reminded to wear comfortable and appropriate footwear and to take drinking water or juice Those joining in will need to make their own way to the start of the walk at 19.30 As mentioned, prior booking is a must and is available online here This slightly belated centenary exhibition of the work of artist Fernando Carpena Puche who was born in Yecla on 23rd April 1924 (International Book Day) is being held at the church fo San Francisco in his home town from Friday April 25 until May 25 Carpena Puche showed an early interest in art and his parents engaged the services of local painter Amelio Quiles Berenguer to help him develop his talent where young Fernando worked as a chauffer and found an entry into the capital’s more elite social and cultural circles before being accepted by the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando When the family returned to Yecla he was obliged to help out in the family fishmonger’s but after the death of his father he returned to art in the 19490s He remained creatively productive until the end of the dictatorship in 1975 his output including dozens of paintings and a host of drawings leading to his being acknowledged as one of Yecla’s finest painters of the 20th century The exhibition at the church of San Francisco can be seen every day of the week apart from Mondays between 19.00 and 21.00 The plot of “Parejas Imperfectas” revolves around two couple who find themselves faced with different disabilities: Edu meets his ex-wife Ana after an accident leaves her paraplegic a brilliant student preparing his doctorate but affected by cerebral palsy the daughter of Serbo-Croat immigrants who faces severe financial difficulties The performance at the Teatro Concha Segura on March begins at 20.00 with tickets priced at 13, 15 and 18 euros and available online here It is also possible to book in person at the theatre box office on Thursday and Fridays between 19.30 and 21.00 and on the day of the event from 19.30 onwards The program for the Three Kings in Yecla this year is as follows: 10.30: The Emissaries of the Kings are officially welcomed by the Mayoress and are then free to receive letters to Their Majesties from 11.00 to 14.00 and from 16.30 to 21.00 8.30 to 13.00: The Teatro Concha Segura is open for parents to leave presents there so that children can have a great surprise later 16.45: The Three Kings arrive and greet the children of the town before heading to the Torre del Reloj for the Adoration of the Baby Jesus 17.15: The Grand Parade of the Three Kings 20.00 approx: Fireworks greet the Kings as they arrive in the Parque de la Constitución 20.15: The Kings give out presents in the Teatro Concha Segura 9.00: The Three Kings visit old people’s homes before heading to Mass in the Basílica at 12.00 17.30: The parade and presents reach the village of Raspay 18.00 to 21.00: Three Kings Ball at the Pabellón Mª José Martínez for elderly residents An official tour guide accompanies a group visit to some of the most iconic buildings and locations in the old town centre of Yecla ending with a visit to the Taller de Artesanía en Miniatura Hermanos Simón The craftsmen here design and create all kinds of objects carrying on the tradition for craftsmanship established by the Simón brothers The tour on Saturday March 29 begins at 10.30 and is free of charge, with bookings available online through the regional tourist board website here Further information about this tour and about visiting Yecla is available from the tourist office (telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es). Alternatively, visit the home page of Yecla Today As part of the sports and tourism program in Yecla during the first quarter of 2025 this free guided country tour is being held on Sunday February 16, beginning at 9.00 outside Bodegas La Purísima (click for map) participants will drive in convoy to the starting point of the walk Organized in collaboration with the Centro Excursionista de Yecla the walk follows a route along paths in the impressive countryside of La Yesera and the Sierra del Cuchillo alongside the boundary between the regions of Murcia and Castilla-La Manca is expected to last around 3 and a half hours and covers a distance of 5.5 km with climbs and descents of just 200 metres Although the hike is completely free of charge prior registration is necessary online here – and please bear in mind that this kind of event in Yecla is normally fully booked very quickly so don’t dally for too long before reserving your place Further information is available from the Yecla tourist office (telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es) and from the Teatro Concha Segura (telephone 968 751134, email teatro@yecla.es) There are many fiesta traditions in Spain which seem bizarre to those from elsewhere in Europe are one of those where the most important advice to anyone attending is DON'T FORGET TO TAKE EARPLUGS (Click here to access a pdf leaflet about the fiestas produced by the Town Hall.) Many of the traditions in these fiestas date back to around 400 years ago and for this reason the noisy weapon of choice which is fired (not in anger) in the streets is the arquebus Over 700 "tiraores" (shooters) and “cargaores” (loaders) accompany the figure of the Virgen in procession through the streets and the proceedings are absolutely dominated by the pungent smell of gunpowder the flare of fire and the overwhelming crack of gunshots The events schedule varies very little from year to year and in 2024 the program includes the following:  19.00: The official opening speech of the fiestas at the Teatro CO ncha Segura. The speech is given this year by Fernando Luis de Mergelina Alonso de Velasco, grandson of archaeologist Cayetano de Mergelina, after whom the impressive Yecla archaeological museum is named This is the day of the “Acto del Beneplácito” opening ceremony in the Town Hall when the President of the Asociación de Mayordomos officially requests permission from the municipal authorities to declare the fiestas under way 18th century Alabardero soldiers and drummers noisily invite the residents of the town to join in the celebrations 12.30: The Beneplácito begins in the Auditorio Municipal requests permission from Mayoress Remedios Lajara Domínguez to hold the fiestas in honour of the Purísima Concepción (Immaculate Conception) The dignitaries then raise the flags at the Town Hall and 15 rockets are launched answered by another 15 from the Santuario del Castillo This is a national holiday (Constitution Day) and it begins early in Yecla when muskets are fired to announce the beginning of the celebrations This is followed by a Mass in the Basílica de la Purísima and in the afternoon the soldiers involved take part in the kissing of the flag (El Beso de la Bandera) 8.35: The group sets out on a route along Calle Niño Jesús Calle Esperanza and Calle Pablo Picasso.to the home of the Mayordomo del Bastón (the head Mayordomo who carries a large stick to indicate his importance!) 9.05: The route now follows Calle Pablo Picasso and Calle Primero de Mayo to the home of the Mayordomo de la Bandera 9.30: The flag is presented and five minutes later the committee heads to the church of San Francisco followed by a march to the station for the Kissing of the Flag.  17.40: The batallions gather at the church of San Francisco: no more are admitted after 18.20 18.30: The flags leave the church of San Francisco to be borne aloft in the "Marcha Real" Plaza Concejal Sebastián Pérez The flags are then returned to the home of the Mayordomo de la Bandera This is the day when the figure of the Patron of Yecla is brought down to the town Events begin early with the “Alborada” in the courtyard of the Basílica The soldiers then make their way up to the Santuario del Castillo before bringing the Saint down to her temporary home in the Basílica On leaving the Santuario high up by the castle,  the “Mayordomo” waves the Virgin’s flag in a ceremony known as the “Paso de la Bandera” a spectacle which is repeated when the procession arrives at the Basílica 5.20: The Mayordomo de la Bandera leaves for the home of the Mayordomo del Bastón and 30 minutes later they both head for the Basílica de la Purísima where the "arcas cerradas" (isolated arquebus shots) are held at 6.00 More shots are fired during the return journey The dignitaries set out to collect the figure of the Virgin with the firing of arquebuses beginning at 9.00 in Calle San Francisco before the climb up to the sanctuary begins Plaza Mayor, Plaza Concejal Sebastián 18.05: The offering begins as the dignitaries set out before the official route to the Basilica begins Route: Calle Epifanio Ibáñez then leaving at 19.15 on Calle Niño Jesús,  Calle Hospital Calle San Francisco and the Atrio of the Basílica This is the biggest day of the annual Yecla fiestas the feast day of “La Purísima” which begins with a parade of all the soldiers and continues with the procession of the figure of the Patrona of Yecla through the streets of the town During this procession the Mayordomo once again performs the Paso de la Bandera on leaving and re-entering the Basílica accompanied by the deafening sound of hundreds of arquebuses The Official Mass and the Proclamación de Clavarios 8.35: The dignitaries begin their long day with a walk to the Basilica de la Purísima They then proceed to the Plaza Concejal Sebastián Pérez for the Proclamación de Clavarios who are then escorted to their homes by musicians and assitants.  16.40: The dignitaries again set out first When it is over the procession continues along Calle San Francisco more arquebus fire accompanies the proceedings before the rout econtines along Infanta María Teresa when at 17.00 the holy "Salve" is sung in the Basílica de la Purísima and this is followed by a procession of Mayordomos Clavarios and their pages and guests.  10.15: Children gather for their own floral offering to the Virgin Mary with the processional route starting at 10.30 and running through Plaza Mayor, Epifanio Ibáñez, Niño Jesús, Hospital, Placeta Ortega, España and San Francisco to the Basílica de la Purísima 12.30: The fiestas dignitaries gather at the Basílica de la Purísima to start a parade to the Paza Mayor where at 13.00 they are officially received by the Town Hall This the day on which the figure of the Virgen del Castillo is returned to her sanctuary and after a solemn Mass the Mayordomo once again leads the way accompanied by the soldiers and arquebuses The Virgen is carried out of the Basilica and positioned in the doorway,saluted by each of the “tiraores” and their “cargaores” as they pass loosing off shots from the centre of town right the way up to the sanctuary before herself joining the procession as thousands of people slowly wind their way up the hillside There is an almost surreal air of fire and smoke in the air as the procession climbs uphill on its 2-kilometre route taking around 3 hours due to the volume of those firing guns and the number of people accompanying the Patrona on her journey On arrival at the sanctuary the Virgin is paraded three times around the old pine tree before being taken inside and her annual visit to the town officially ends with more flag-waving and gunshots When the soldiers return to the town the Entrega de Insignias ceremony is held in which the “Clavarios” become “Mayordomos” One of these is the “Mayordomo del Bastón” who represents Captain Martín Soriano Zaplana and another is the “Mayordomo de la Bandera” who carries on the tradition of the standard-bearer back in 1642 All of those forming part of this group are dressed in black trousers hats and neckties and white shirts.This final ceremeony welcomes in the new recruits who will  be allowed to bear arms and participate the coming year The procession begins this year at 15.55 but the climb up to the sanctuary does not start at the Basílica until 17.30.  during the morning various processions accopmany the fiestas dignitaries to Mass which is held in the Basílica de la Purísima at 10.00 If visiting Yecla make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor This year’s Carnival celebrations in Yecla, in the north of Murcia, feature four special galas as well as two dances, a children’s party and of course the main parades in which as many as 900 people are expected to take part. Tickets for the main events will be going on sale at the Teatro Concha Segura in the evenings: see below The program of events to mark the start of Lent includes the following: 21.30: The Coronation Gala of the 2024 Carnival Queen Alba Amorós Ortuño at the Feria del Mueble building Tickets 6 euros (2 euros for children) on sale Tuesday February 18 from the Teatro Concha Segura 19.30 to 21.00 19.00: The first Carnival gala takes place at the Feria del Mueble (click for map) with the participation of the Desenfreno Tickets 6 euros (2 euros for children) on sale Wednesday February 19 from the Teatro Concha Segura 19.30 to 21.00 18.30: The second Carnival gala at the Feria del Mueble with the participation of the Elysium 21.30: The third Carnival gala at the Feria del Mueble with the participation of the Drag Ona 19.00: The grand Carnival Parade starts at the crossroads of Calle San Antonio and Calle Iberia 22.30: DJ music and dancing at the municipal marquee in Plaza de San Cayetano until 2.00 Midnight: Carnival Dance at the Feria del Mueble Tickets 10 euros available from Instanticket as of 18 from 9.00 and at Taquilla Teatro on Tuesday February from 19.30 to 21.00 16.30: Dancing for children at the marquee in San Cayetano The “Un Paseo por los Sueños” exhibition features the work of four students at the Municipal School of Fine Art and can be visited at the Casa Municipal de Cultura (Calle España 37) until Sunda March 16 Opening hours are weekdays 19.00 to 21.00 and weekends 11.00 to 13.00 and the centre can be contacted by telephone on 968 790901 All over Spain the Saint’s Day of San Anton Abad or San Antonio Abad (Anthony the Great in English) is celebrated every January with a series of apparently bizarre scenes in which parish priests are called upon to bless pet animals is the patron saint of a startling variety of aspects of life including not only animals but also skin diseases Among the places where the day is the centre of special fiestas is Yecla in the north of the Region of Murcia where the schedule of events in 2025 includes the following: 12.30: Investiture at the Iglesia de los Dolores (Hospitalico) (click for map) of the new “Abades Mayordomos del 2025” Francisco Javier Muñoz Soriano and María Teresa Pisa Cañete followed by the opening speech of the fiestas given by Inés López Coloma 20.30: The fiestas of San Antón begin at the old railway station of Yecla with the lighting of a grand bonfire by the Abades Mayordomos Music is provided by the Grupo Folclórico Arabí while firecrackers announce the start of the fiestas and those present eat hearty country bread with top quality olive oil and a glass of wine 19.00: A procession sets out with the figure of the Saint to circle the Iglesia del Hospitalico three times on Calle Hospital and Calle España (netween Placeta Ortega and Jabonería) 19.30: “Rociera” Mass inside the Iglesia de la Virgen de los Dolores (Hospitalico) during which the tradition of handing out sprigs of thyme and rosemary is observed setting out from the station and following Calles Pablo Picasso Esteban Díaz and Avenida de Cartagena Another blessing of animals and handing out of holy bread are performed at the old station The Ruta del Vino of Yecla is holding its 12th annual Tapas and Wine route in the town from February 18 to March 16 with the participation of 14 local bars and restaurants competing to serve the best tapa accompanied by wine produced locally and sporting the DO Yecla label Passports for the route can be collected in any of the hostelries taking part and stamps can be collected at the different venues during the 4 weeks On the final day the event closes with a large open-air fair in the Parque de la Constitución Vouchers for the closing fair, including three tapas and two glasses of wine can be purchased in advance online here at 11 euros with the option of adding a commemorative glass and tasting pallet for an extra 4 euros The wines are provided by Bodegas La Purísima Bodegas Evine and Bodegas Conde de Montornés Prize draws are held on February 24 and March 3, 10 and 17 for those who have submitted their photos of the event at www.rutadelvinoyecla.com/concursotapayvino. Meanwhile for those completing the route the prize draw includes vouchers for 200 euros and minor prizes of between 5 and 60 euros If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Calle Epifanio Ibáñez The International Chamber Music Festival in Yecla (“Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara de Yecla” offers a series of free high-quality small-scale concerts throughout the year and the cycle was born out of the frustration of local music-lovers during the pandemic years when live concerts ceased to exist in this part of northern Murcia for a time The second edition of the festival is being held with a series of 8 concerts during 2025 all of them taking place in the Auditorio Municipal “Juan Miguel Benedito Rodríguez” in the historic Plaza Mayor and beginning at 20.00 The second concert in 2025 is on Sunday March 2 and features a Flute-piano quartet playing a selection of music under the title of “Classic Meets Jazz” The members of the quartet are Claudi Arimany (flute) Jordi Cabarroques (double bass) and Rafael Rostey (percussion) The program for the first few months of 2025 at the Teatro Concha Segura in Yecla begins on Sunday February 2 with a concert by the band of the Asociación de Amigos de la Música in collaboration with Cine Club Odeón Among the film scores featured are those of (in chronological order) Gone With the Wind The concert begins at 19.30 with tickets priced at 6 euros and available from the theatre box office (open Thursdays Fridays and Saturdays 19.30 to 21.00 and one hour before the start of each event) which are held to mark the picking of the first wine grapes of the season are taking place over the weekend of September 7 and 8 and feature the traditional folk music and dancing festival along with plenty of wine-related celebrations The events of the weekend include the following: 19.00: Official reception of the groups taking part in the “Festival de Folclore Ciudad de Yecla 2024” at the Auditorio Municipal “Juan Miguel Benedito Rodríguez”, followed by a musical parade from the Plaza Mayor to the Parque de la Constitución 20.00: The official trading of the first grapes and production of the first “mosto” or unfermented Monastrell grape juice in the Parque de la Constitución with music and dancing from the Asociación de Coros y Danzas Mazantini from Ciudad Real the Grupo de Danzas Ciudad de Dos Hermanas (Sevilla) and Coros y Danzas de Yecla Tapas and wine tasting throughout the evening with wines provided by Bodegas Castaño Bodegas Conde de Montornés and Bodegas La Purísima 12.00: Holy Mass in the Basílica de la Purísima and blessing of the first mosto 13.00: The groups from Ciudad Real, Sevilla and Yecla perform outside the Basilica and more tastings of wines provided by the Bodegas affiliated to the Yecla Wine Route a tasting pallet and a cut glass costing 15 euros and a package for 3 tapas and 2 wines costing 11 euros The Fiestas de la Vendimia were first held in Yecla in 1969 and the treading of the first grapes was always accompanied by the “Fandanguillo de Yecla” Although the celebrations disappeared for a few years they have been revived since the Covid pandemic by the Wine Route The stand-out features of the local economy of Yecla are the niche wine and furniture production activities bringing worldwide recognition to the northernmost municipality in the Region of Murcia as part of the sports and tourism program in the town during the first quarter of 2025 this free guided tour is being held on Friday March 7 taking in visits to the FAMA furniture company one of the wineries affiliated to the Yecla Wine Route The visit to the furniture factory includes a chance to see the production line itself as well as gain insights into the design process while at the winery the whole production is explained before a brief guided tasting of the end product The tour begins at 16.30 at the premises of FAMA (there are two factories but the tourist office will send an email to confirm shortly before the event) and is expected to last approximately 2 and a half hours The registration cost of 9 euros is to be paid at the winery and covers the cost of the visit and the tasting Please note: participants will need to make their way from FAMA to the winery in their own vehicles Prior registration is required online here - and please bear in mind that this kind of event in Yecla is normally fully booked very quickly but to the untrained eye there is actually no sign of any castle at all This is because the 10th- and 11th-century Moorish castle of Hisn Yakka became a ruin centuries ago, and in fact the ruins were further weakened by the construction of the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Purísima (the “Virgen del Castillo”) on the hill in the 19th century the Town Hall is pleased to announce that work to make the remains more visible and access to the site far easier have been completed at an investment cost of 186,000 euros part of which was provided by the regional government of Murcia and EU Next Generation funds The work has focussed on the residential area of the castle compound – it should not be forgotten that in medieval towns the castle provided shelter as well as protection for the population – and the aim has been to strengthen remaining structures from the pre-Reconquista era to ensure that they survive Perhaps most importantly from the tourist’s point of view in addition a walkway and viewing point have been built along with information panels along the path and special lighting to highlight the most important structures the idea behind the work is not only to protect the historical heritage of Yecla but also to boost its already dynamic tourism sector Mayoress Remedios Lajara explained that the "Rebirth of Yakka" will continue to maximize the historical heritage of Yecla making visible the remains of the Almohad period which dates from the 12th and 13th centuries she confirmed that the council  is hoping to continue work on this settlement through a new project which obtained funding of nearly 3 million euros from the Ministry of Industry Commerce and Tourism to complete the restoration consolidation and protection of the entire Ḥiṣn Yakka site Although not much was made of it at the time congratulations are due to the tourism staff at the Town Hall of Yecla and to the town itself following the decision made in late November 2024 to award the annual fiestas “International Tourist Interest” status The “Fiestas de la Virgen en honor a la Purísima Concepción” are held every year in December the main events falling between the 5th and the 8th and have been cancelled on only a handful of occasions since they began in 1642 (due to the Civil War and Their stand-out characteristics and events include the opening “Beneplácito” the processions in which the figure of the Virgin is brought down to the town and then back up to her hilltop sanctuary the deafening firing of arquebuses (ancient firearms) and the fervour with which the locals participate and celebrate the feast day of the Immaculate Conception and a national holiday in Spain There are now 13 fiestas in the Region of Murcia holding the distinction of “International Tourist Interest” status The Fiestas of the Cartagineses y Romanos in Cartagena The Cante de las Minas flamenco festival in La Unión The Fiestas of the Santísima y Vera Cruz in Caravaca In total there are 83 such annual events in Spain and among the 17 regions the only ones with more events in this category are the Comunidad Valenciana and Galicia Renowned singer and actress Lolita Flores stars in this production of the Spanish drama “Poncia” by Luis Luque the servant of the fictional character Bernarda Alba who appears in the famous play by Federico García Lorca as the household mourns the death of Adela The performance at the Teatro Concha Segura in Yecla on 12th October begins at 20.00 with tickets available online here at 13 the box office of the theatre is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 19.30 to 21.00 and on Saturdays from 19.00 and the annual open-air closing fair of the event is being held on Sunday 16th March in the Plaza de la Constitución A final prize draws is also taking place on March 17 for those who have submitted their photos of the event at www.rutadelvinoyecla.com/concursotapayvino. For those completing the route the prize draw includes vouchers for 200 euros and minor prizes of between 5 and 60 euros If visiting Yecla make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Calle Epifanio Ibáñez The Basilica de la Purísima de Yecla is one of the most emblematic buildings in the northern Murcia town mainly because of its striking blue and white tiled dome not to mention the paintings in the vaults by Manuel Muñoz Barberán and the sculptures of the Virgen de las Angustias by Francisco Salzillo Popularly known as the Iglesia Nueva or New Church the history of its construction is a “symbol of the will of the people of Yecla,” according to the organisers of a new free guided tour to visit the basilica and get to know a bit more about it This guided tour starts at 10am in the atrium of the basilica (Plaza de la Purísima de Yecla) on Saturday December 21 Bookings can be made online here on the website of the Institute for Tourism of the Region of Murcia If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, email turismo@yecla.es For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today As in many other parts of the Region of Murcia Semana Santa is a very important week in the calendar of Yecla and a number of impressive processions are held featuring the town’s religious and artistic heritage These are organized by the “Cofradías” (or brotherhoods) who undertake the religious parades of penitence and have been declared as being of Regional Tourist Interest Yecla also has an excellent Semana Santa museum in the atmospheric former church of La Asunción which contains the more than 80 figures and tableaux paraded in the streets every year in 11 processions as well as embroidered adornments gold and silver pieces and wooden sculpture The best known of the figures is the Virgen de las Angustias which is usually revered in the Basílica de la Purísima and the statue of Santísimo Cristo de la Adoración de la Cruz by José Esteve Bonet (1800) The schedule of events for Semana Santa 2025 in Yecla is as follows: 22.00: The Procession of the 7 Words of Jesus on the Cross Route: The church of San Nicolás, Algezares, Mediodía, Cerro, San Isidro, San Cristóbal, Pintor Miguel Palao, Cruz de Piedra, Hospital, Placeta Ortega, España, Plaza de la Purísima, Basílica de la Purísima 21.00: The Procesión de la Sangre y el Perdón Route: The church of San José Artesano Arcipreste Esteban Díaz and back to the church of San José Artesano The Procession of the Palms or "La Burrica" (the little donkey because it includes a little donkey) is among the most popular and is accompanied by a multitude of children and adults carrying palm leaves and olive branches 22.00: The Penitential Procesión del Rosario Route: The church of the Niño Jesús Juan Ortuño and back to the church of the Niño Jesús 21.00: The Procesión de los Farolicos Route: The church of San Francisco This is arguably the most picturesque event of the week as children accompanying the tableau of Christ in a reclined position carry their small lanterns throughout the event 21.00: The Procesión de la Pasión This is another popular procession among visitors featuring 17 Pasos or carved figures in the procession known and more than 3,000 participants in an event full of light Hospital and back to the Iglesia del Hospitalico For this procession all the lights are turned off in the centre of town and the penitents are accompanied only by the sounds of saetas and the prayers of the participants in the Vía Crucis charged with emotion as the penitents mourn the betrayal of Christ Route: Plaza de la Purísima, Juan Ortuño, Arco del Niño, Quevedo, Epifanio Ibáñez, Plaza Mayor, Concejal Sebastián Pérez (where the Cortesía takes place at 11.00) 20.00: The Procesión del Santo Entierro Followed by the Cortejo del Santo Entierro: Plaza de España This is another procession featuring 17 pasos It is one of the most emotional occasions of Semana Santa for the faithful Midnight: The Procesión de la Soledad The Virgen de la Soledad joins the procession while the public sings the moving "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" The night ends with “La Plática de Despedida" o "Sermón de la Soledad” (Sermon of solitude) Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday) The figure of Cristo Resucitado leaves the church of San Francisco at 10.15 via the Parque de la Constitución Plaza Mayor and Concejal Sebastián Pérez The “encuentro” and the reléase of the “Diablico” takes place at 11.00 before the procession continues to La Corredera Plaza de la Purísima and the Basílica de la Purísima This is a highly unusual procession due to the presence of “El Diablico” a little devil who runs around the procession attempting to escape the triumph of Life over Death and Good over Evil And while visiting, don’t forget to try the typical local gastronomy of the time of year, including pasties filled with potato This free walking tour of the mountain of Monte Arabí in the far north of the Region of Murcia offers a chance to discover some of the magic which surrounds the mythical site as well as its natural heritage and its geo-diversity The 6-kilometre walk begins at 9.30 and is expected to end at approximately 13.30, leaving time to head back into Yecla itself for a well-deserved lunch! Although the event is free of charge prior registration is required online here (NOTE: the registration process does not open until September 6 at 9.30 a.m.) This walk is not recommended for those aged under 9 and visitors should be aware that it does not include the prehistoric rock art which has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO The Vía Verde del Chicharra greenway in Yecla has been recognised with the 2025 Blue Trail award by the Environmental and Consumer Education Association (Adeac) a reward for the efforts to create an environmentally-friendly hike through the spectacular countryside of Yecla and the northern plateau of the Region of Murcia In total these 26 routes cover a distance of over 150 kilometres representing 15% of the distance included in the whole of Spain due to the 11 new paths added to the list this year a figure surpassed only by the regions of the Comunidad Valenciana and Galicia The 11 new “Senderos Azules” in Murcia are the Tres Bahías route in Águilas the walking and cycling route from Lorquí to Los Palacios and the Ruta Urbana Avenida Ginés Asensio in Lorquí the El Alamillo-La Alameda-Las Balsicas and Variante Calas de Bolnuevo-Sierra de las Moreras routes in Mazarrón the Ruta de los 10.001 Pasos and the Sendero de la Umbría del Bosque de Espuñain Mula and the Sendero Río Margen Izquierdo in the city of Murcia The remaining 15 routes previously awarded Sendero Azul status are in the municipalities of Cartagena If you’re one of those whose knowledge of the Region of Murcia is limited to the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor couple of local watering holes or restaurants the airport in Corvera and perhaps the cities of Cartagena and Murcia it’s time to broaden your horizons and discover a whole different world which lies a little further inland This is a world where palm trees are replaced by oaks and pines where the flat vegetable crop fields of the Campo de Cartagena give way to cereal crops and where the tomato plantations are a forgotten as you drive or stroll through countless hectares of vineyards the vast plains sometimes seem to stretch out towards the horizon the mountains are majestic and the swathes of vineyards are a sure sign that this is true rural Spain where some of the country's finest wine is produced the first recommendation when visiting the Altiplano has to be to taste the wine The most iconic wines of Yecla and Jumilla are made from the Monastrell grape and they are practically unique due to one word which not many people are aware of: Phylloxera Phylloxera is an insect which was accidentally imported into Europe from America in 1863 and within 15 years it devastated vineyards across the old continent No pesticides could halt the pest and for most growers the only solution was to graft more resistant American roots onto European vines But on the high ground of the Altiplano Phylloxera was unable to attack the roots and as a result the old “European Root” variety of the Monastrell grape survived here Many of the DOP Yecla and DOP Jumilla wines are thus produced from Monastrell “Pie Franco” vines which are well over 100 years old The importance of wine is perhaps best illustrated by the spectacular August fiestas of the “Vendimia” (start of the grape-picking season) in Jumilla, where the centrepiece is the Cabalgata in which thousands of revellers are drenched in red wine close to the boundary between Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha history is written not in manuscripts or documents but in the rocks themselves making the slopes and unique rock formations of Monte Arabí an experience unlike any other Prehistoric cave paintings at Monte Arabí have been catalogued as World Heritage by UNESCO and equally fascinating (and unfathomable) are the mysterious “petroglyphs” small round sculptures carved into the rocks which may as a kind of map… no-one really knows All visitors are welcome to explore this timeless scenery at their own convenience although in order to see the primitive rock art it is necessary to register on one of the guided tours which have been granted access to the sheltered sites The Monastery, Sanctuary or Convent of Santa Ana del Monte stands high up in the mountains to the south of Jumilla affording excellent views out over the town and further and although it is a site of religious importance and the building houses an impressive religious art collection it is now visited chiefly by walkers and cyclists And it’s not hard to understand the popularity of the location shaded by abundant woodlands and with spectacular views towards Jumilla castle This may have been one of the factors which led to the monastery’s construction in 1574 (although it was already a site of religious worship over a century beforehand) and almost certainly it contributed to the existence of the Iberian settlement of Coimbra Ancho the 2,000-remains of which can still be seen nearby On top of which, the picnic area is a perfect spot to begin a hike through the mountains of Sierra Ana with numerous routes giving opportunities to see the flora and fauna of the area including the numerous Aleppo pines and animals such as the peregrine falcon and the golden eagle The museum of the monastery even contains one of a pair of bearded vultures who lived in the mountains until the mid-20th century When Murcia was a frontier region between the Christian kingdoms of Aragón and Castille fortifications were built throughout the Region to protect the land against raiders and when local rulers and royal delegates were deciding on how to protect themselves the main consideration they took into account was similar to that of many of those who buy holiday homes in the Costa Cálida today: location This was certainly on the mind of Juan Pacheco, the first Marquis of Villena, when he ordered the construction of Jumilla castle in 1461 and despite having undergone extensive renovation in recent years the castle is everything one might expect of a medieval fortress: it stands in a position of dominance high on a hilltop above the town it commands panoramic views over the surrounding area it has an imposing keep four floors high with crenelated battlements and it generally gives the impression of being close to impregnable To give an idea of the military importance of the passage across the Altiplano between the mountains it is even said that Hannibal marched his army along the route when he set out from Cartagena on his attempt to overthrow Rome Every bit as important as military fortification in the Altiplano area is the central role played in its history by the Catholic faith and it goes without saying that both Jumilla and Yecla boast a large number of churches But to truly appreciate the importance of religious faith in Jumilla it is necessary to witness the Semana Santa (Easter Week) processions they are among the oldest in Murcia and are characterized by their rich artistic heritage colour and the devotion and enthusiasm they inspire The Altiplano is one of those parts of Spain which has so much historical and pre-historic heritage that it’s hard to know what o do with it all with exhibits dating from well before the birth of Christ to the Moorish Middle Ages and the modern era Apart from these, there are plenty of actual archaeological sites to be visited, the highlights being that of Coimbra Ancho in the mountains of Santa Ana (Jumilla) the cave paintings of Monte Arabí in Yecla and even the fossilized footprints of sabre-toothed tigers and other animals which lived in the Sierra de las Cabras 7 million years ago the buildings of the two old town centres are themselves witness to the society of Spain during the Middle Ages and the pre-Modern era – the old town squares really are steeped in history The accumulation of centuries of history is the unique identity of the people of the Altiplano and apart from the warm welcome invariably extended to visitors this is amply apparent in both the rural settings and the comfort of central bars Of course, all this healthy walking (or cycling) whets the appetite, and the cuisine of Yecla and Jumilla features a number of nourishing stews and other dishes which have helped the locals survive and even thrive during the (sometimes harsh) winters over the centuries These may not appeal to those who flock to the Costa Cálida during the summer but the rapid motorways which link the Altiplano to Murcia Alicante and Valencia mean that these days there is a constant supply of fresh fish and seafood to complement the locally sourced meat and vegetables serve to bring this area within an hour and a half of almost everywhere on the coastlines of Murcia and Alicante – what’s your excuse for not making the trip and discovering the area for yourself Email: turismo@yecla.es reflecting the town’s agricultural heritage the local fiestas are celebrated in honour of San Isidro In comparison to other local fiestas in the Region of Murcia the San Isidro celebrations in Yecla are relatively new dating in their current form from the mid-twentieth century but the veneration of San Isidro in the area has its roots a long way further back In 1710 there was already a well named after the saint (San Isidro El Viejo) but it was not until the 1940s that an image representing the medieval Castilian farmer who was canonized in 1622 was installed in the Basílica de la Purísima The history of the Fiestas de San Isidro in Yecla San Isidro lived in the 11th and 12th centuries near Madrid and 438 miracles are attributed to him Religious devotion to him became more widespread following his beatification in 1619 and his canonization three years later and by 1710 there well in Yecla was known as San Isidro el Viejo At around this time a small church named after him was built in the outskirts of the town By the mid-18th century Calle San Isidro had received its name and an image of the saint was in place in the church of Santa Bárbara and in 1816 the local water administration body assumed his name Not long afterwards another water administration body took the name of María de la Cabeza (Isidro’s wife) It may be that the origin of the Fiestas de San Isidro Labrador lie in the year 1944 when the images representing him and María de la Cabeza both created by the Alcoy sculptor Miguel Torregrosa Alonso were carried in procession through the streets of the town by the Hermandad de Labradores y Ganaderos (the brotherhood of crop and livestock farmers) This procession has been repeated every year since The main parade was added to the festivities in 1949 and as the popularity of the Fiestas has grown it has become one of the three main annual events in Yecla (alongside Easter Week and the Fiestas de la Virgen del Castillo in early December) 1953 a Battle of Flowers was incorporated into the fiestas and the first Queen and Ladies in Waiting were elected in 1958 These dignitaries are chosen at the end of March and parade through the town on a float sponsored by the Town Hall and since 1979 a junior Queen and six Ladies in Waiting have been added to the list The first international folk dancing festival was held in 1980 since when groups from all over Spain and Europe have taken part and a children’s folklore festival has been held alongside since 1987 The federation of “Peñas” has been in existence since 2000 and now contains 32 groups dedicated to preparing the floats and ensuring that the folklore and traditions of Yecla are kept alive whose feast day falls on January 17 is the patron saint of a startling variety of aspects of life including not only animals but also skin diseases where the schedule of events begins with the investiture of the “Abadesa Mayordoma” The main events include the with the lighting of a grand bonfire at the old railway station of Yecla with live music as those present eat hearty country bread with top quality olive oil, warming up the cold winter night. There is then a procession of the figure of the Saint, circling the Iglesia del Hospitalico and a “Rociera” Mass inside the church After a mass a Blessing of Animals is held sets out from the station and another blessing of animals and handing out of holy bread are performed Although the name of Yecla is synonymous with wine it is also home to significant olive oil production and visitors are welcome to either visit the Deortegas olive oil mill or sample their exceptional Organic Extra Virgen Olive Oil which is on sale in some of the wineries Bodegas and widely served in restaurants locally.  As anyone who pays a visit to this family run Almazara will rapidly learn there’s olive oil and then there’s Ecological Extra Virgen Olive Oil and the two are as different as chalk and cheese Almazara Deortegas is a family business with a full commitment to sustainable agriculture and the environment a philosophy which extends to every element of their production and final product.  The attention to detail begins at the cultivation stage with 40,000 trees on two plots in “Los Charquillos” and “Hoya Hermosa” These are non-irrigated plots and by allowing the trees to fruit naturally balanced and packed with natural flavour without artificially induced water This is a risky way to produce olives as the trees and harvests are susceptible to climatic variations and drought years can reduce yields substantially careful pruning and care for the ground surrounding the trees helps to establish a healthy base from which to cultivate the crop Ecological agricultural practices prohibit the use of chemicals so natural pest control methods are used and the trees are grown within environmentally protected areas This attention to detail continues as a harvest day is selected for each parcel. The olives must be half-green so that the flavour is at its most intense They are milled on the same day as they are picked Olives are harvested and processed in small batches so that no damage is sustained between harvest and pressing They are fresh and flavoursome and are not left to sit between the two processes taking place Milling is a cold-press method and the resulting oil is left to decant naturally the result being an intensely flavoured organic Extra Virgen mono-variety oil Deortegas produces three distinct oils using three different olives; Arbequina as well as a blended oil containing all three The differences between the three varieties is clearly demonstrated to visitors who participate in a blind tasting which also explains the differences between other grades of oil including the bulk oils sold in supermarkets Arbequina - The arbequina olive tree is a medium-sized slow-growing tree which produces fruit from a young age It’s very tolerant of a range of climatic conditions and different soil types Olives are small and oval with a delicate violet blush when ripe and have a concentrated flavour which varies depending on the location An early harvest yields a fruity green oil while the olives harvested at perfect maturity have a high fat content This oil is perfect with a green salad or one containing tomatoes or onion but also complements cheese and nut salads perfectly well and topped with fresh cheese it needs no other accompaniment and is perfect for grilled vegetables or rice dishes as well as white meats such as chicken.  Arbequina has a shorter shelf life than other varieties of olive oils and is at its best within a year of harvesting although it has less resistance to drought It is the most important single variety in this country accounting for 50% of olive groves in Spain and 20% worldwide Fatty acid composition can reach up to 27% and contains a high level of natural antioxidants monounsaturated oleic acid (important to avoid cardiovascular diseases) and a low content of linoleic acid and performs excellently when heated for cooking Used as a table oil it is distinctive and full of character with a robust and intense flavour which enhances Mediterranean cuisine yet with a hint of spice and a slight edge which makes its flavour more intense exactly how an almazara olive mill smells when the olive is being milled and an external door is opened into a room heavy with the piquant smell of freshly crushed piqual flesh.  with salads containing any type of pickled vegetable or an element of vinegar Its fresh flavour balances oily or smoked fish garlic prawns or any denser fleshed fish are lifelong partners The Cornicabra olive is gaining ground in Spain as it tolerates a wide range of conditions It is now the second most widely cultivated variety throughout Spain and the third largest in terms of olive production The olive produced has a distinctive horn-like shape hence its name (corno=horn) and the is a strong violet colour when ripe. Its fatty acid composition is lower than other varieties and the oil is stable and long-lasting and leaving a warm peppery sensation in its wake It is fabulous with eggs and is the preferred choice for tortillas and warm scrambled eggs (revueltos) which can incorporate acelga It’s an excellent oil to use when frying or as a base for stews and hearty soups Deortegas has been particularly successful with its Cornicabra winning several major prizes in olive oil competitions worldwide Visitors to the mill can purchase oils in 500ml or 250 ml bottles as well as 3 and 5 litre bulk cans but order early or late in the week as the company won´t despatch products on a Friday to avouid spoilage over the weekend Visitors are welcomed on tours of Deortegas Almazara During visits the whole process of olive oil production is discussed from the olive tree to the finished product The tour shows machinery used to produce the oil In an introductory tasting you can learn about history culinary uses and the horrors of what actually goes into supermarket “olive oils” Finally visitors are guided through a blind tasting and a healthy breakfast with the Deortegas organic extra virgin olive oils accompanied by good country bread All visits must be arranged in advance as the tasting room only has limited capacity and English speaking staff must be booked but in principle visits are scheduled on the 4th Saturday of every month at 10.00 and include olive oil tasting and bread. A minimum group size of 6 is required and space in the tasting room is limited to around 15 people During the warmer months it is possible to accommodate larger groups outside and the visit can be combined with other smaller groups or a larger group Alos available is a Desayuno molinero: a country breakfast with rustic bread and all 4 varieties of oil produced at Deortegas along with cheese E-mail: info@deortegas.com (general information) Further information can also be found at www.rutadelvinoyecla.com If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure your first port of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor Start to research the wines of Yecla and there are two words which recur again and again; Monastrell and Castaño Bodegas Familia Castaño is synonymous with wine production in Yecla and the family was instrumental in promoting new techniques and innovation when it became the first bodega to make the transition from bulk wine sales to bottled wines a position it has maintained since with continued innovation and investment Yecla is the only DO (appellation of origin) in the Murcia Region which incorporates just one single municipality; that of Yecla the northernmost in the Región de Murcia although wine has been produced in this area for thousands of years. The Phoenicians traded wines produced on what is now Spain as far back as 1100BC and the Romans exported substantial quantities of wine from Spain throughout the Empire Amphorae from Spain have been found across France and Spanish wine was even exported to Roman soldiers guarding border settlements in modern-day Britain Ample evidence of Roman occupation can be seen in Yecla today the main Roman communications route running to France and Rome running through vineyards owned by this family Tastings are sometimes held among the vines alongside the Vía Augusta and not without good reason is one of the most emblematic wines of this bodega named Hécula Although it is not known whether renowned Roman writers were offered Yecla wine there is certainly plenty of comment about Spanish wine in the writings of Pliny the Elder and Martial although Ovid maintained that some Spanish wine was good only for “getting your mistress drunk” The vineyards of Bodegas Familia Castaño Yecla has two areas of vine cultivation; Campo Arriba (the high fields) and Campo Abajo (the low fields) each with distinct soil conditions and climatic variations Campo Arriba is in the north of the municipality at 700-800 metres above sea level baking in the summer and freezing in the winter as temperatures fluctuate from -6ºC in the heart of the winter to 40 ºC in summer the lack of water and organic sediment making it home to some of the oldest Monastrell vines in the Castaño stable which offers soils with a higher percentage of humus and organic matter: 40% limestone, 50% clay and 10% sand Bodegas Familia Castaño owns nearly 600 hectares of vineyards with plots in both areas of the municipality The age of vines and the varieties grown provide a palette from which to blend and paint their wines Some areas are dedicated to old vines and others to experimental plots of new varieties The main plots currently under cultivation are: principally used for Monastrell and Garnacha Tintorera EL ESPINAL at lower altirude, 88 hectares with predominantly clay soil and good water retention The plot is home to the experimental vineyards which contain 16 different varieties and focuses on producing the stars of the future The plot alreaddy produces a variety of grapes today and currently yields Monastrell POZUELO in the north-west of the municipality planted only with the King of grapes within this municipality stony land capable of supporting nothing other than drought–resistant where Monastrell is again the only vine capable of withstanding the dry conditions at the foot of Monte Arabí A small 2-hectare plot dedicated only to Monastrell LAS GATERAS, more forgiving imestone soil in 36 hectares in the north-west of Yecla more limestone soil at a higher altitude with 14 hectares yielding some of the most important white grapes: floral Macabeos and  fruity Moscatels Castaño is the Yeclan name seen most frequently winning prizes at wine awards worldwide and Castaño wines can also be found in many bodegas and good restaurants across Murcia Prices are reassuringly modest for the quality of wine purchased The shop attached to the bodega is open for general purchases and also runs special offers throughout the year as well as a free delivery service within Spain for orders over 60 euros The wines of Bodegas Familia Castaño 20 months in new French and American oak barrels of 500l.  Castaño GSM: 20% Garnacha Tintorera Hécula Monastrell: Probably the best-known bottle of wine produced by Castaño widely available in good bodegas and a superb red Hard to find a better Monastrell in this price bracket Castaño Colección: 70% Monastrell divided 80% French and 20% American of which 60% are new.  with 10 months in French and American oak.  Intense sweet wine with a pleasant lingering backbite and profound notes of autumn fruits Deep-lodged flavour from prolonged cool maceration Ignore notes and try cool as aperitif.Remains Ed's favourite sweet Monastrell after sampling many.  Olivos de Castaño: Extra virgen olive oil coupage produced by the family from its own olive trees blended with Picual and Royal to create a smooth which captures the green freshness of piqual and blends it with the sweetness of Cornicabra Castaño Macabeo Chardonnay: 50% each of Macabeo and Chardonnay to produce a delightfully light white wine combining both notes of green fruit with with a summer freshness.  Castaño Rosé; Young rosé made with 100% Monastrell A range produced exclusively using organic means Dood solid collection and very well-priced 100% Monastrell aged in oak for 6 months.  perfect summer wine with zingly fruitiness but doesn´t overpower the palette.  Espinal Rosé: 100% Monastrell young rosé.  A 90-minute tour on weekdays for a minimum of 2 people Includes a guided tour of the production facility and a tasting of wines and cheeses along with the "Olivos de Castaño" extra virgin olive oil On Saturdays the minimum group size is 12 people A two-and-a-half-hour visit on weekdays and Saturdays at 10.30 with minimum group size of 4 except on Saturdays (12) tasting of 4 wines with locally sourced products and the "Olivos de Castaño" extra virgin olive oil A complete 5-hour experience including all of the above plus lunch in the private dining room with an exclusive menu for all the family The tour is available every day except on Sundays for a minimum group size of 12 special events are held periodically throughout the year: keep an eye on Bodegas Castaño’s social media accounts for details Bodegas Castaño runs a full online shop offering free delivery on orders over 60 euros: bodegascastano.com The bodega shop is also open for direct sales:  Monday and Wednesday 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.00 Thursday and Friday 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30 Address: Carretera de Fuente-Álamo, 3, 30510 Yecla (Murcia) (click for map) Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism Philippines – Alex Eala broke through and captured her first title of the year after sweeping Switzerland’s Valentina Ryser Eala claimed her third professional International Tennis Federation crown as she displayed poise and resolve in the $25,000 tournament where she lived up to the billing as the second seed The Filipina added the W25 Yecla trophy to her growing collection of professional titles that includes the W15 Manacor in Spain in January 2021 and the W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand in April 2022 Eala faced a gutsy challenge from Ryser as the Swiss broke the Filipina in the 10th game of the second set to forge a 5-5 tie with hopes of extending the match breaking Ryser – who is four years older – in the ensuing game to regain the upper hand then held serve in the 12th game to wrap up the duel in 1 hour and 30 minutes who endured multiple disappointing tournament exits earlier this year emerged as the last woman standing this time around She edged Great Britain’s Katy Dunne and France’s Nahia Berecoechea in the first two rounds then went on to dispatch Mexico’s Victoria Rodriguez and Argentina’s Lucia Peyre in the quarterfinals and semifinals who had failed to make it past the second round in all of her first eight tournaments to start the year before she barged into the quarterfinals of the W25 Monastir in Tunisia a week ago Eala got the boot in the qualifying draw of the Australian Open in January and suffered first-round eliminations in the Miami Open in March and the Madrid Open in April The tennis club of Yecla in northern Murcia is holding an international ITF W·% tour tournament from Monday April 29 to Sunday May 5 at their courts at Carretera Fuente Álamo km 2.5 featuring a host of young hopefuls hoping to prove themselves and move up to the main tour in the future Among those playing on this tour this year is Amarni Banks the 6th-ranked British player in the ITF rankings Alex Eala has not been having a good 2023 so far But the young Fillipino tennis star appears to be hitting her groove at least at the Y25 Yecla tournament being held in Spain as part of the International Tennis Federation’s calendar of tournaments continued her strong play in Spain on Saturday beating Mexico’s Victoria Rodriguez in straight sets to enter the semifinals of the W25 Yecla at the Yecla Club de Tenis in Spain Eala has now won five consecutive sets in impressive fashion after capping her comeback win versus’ Nahia Berecoechea with a pair of 6-1 sets on Friday One of the scholars of the renowned Rafael Nadal Academy Eala looked very impressive against Rodriguez breezing through the match in just 66 minutes and navigating through some tense moments in the second set who has 9 ITF titles to Eala’s 2 and is 10 years older was still very much in the match in the second set tying it at 2-2 and keeping Eala within striking distance at 4-3 ranked 266th by the Women’s Tennis Association winning the next two games to book a semis seat—her first in this trying season Eala is already guaranteed of her best finish this season Eala will next take on Argentina’s against Lucia Peyre a 17-year-old qualifier looking to continue her Cinderella run in this tournament so she can inch even closer to that breakthrough title.  We use cookies to ensure you the best experience on our website Bodegas Barahonda offers a complete package for those who enjoy not only learning about and appreciating the different nuances of wine from the Region of Murcia but also those who take pleasure in combining fine wine with fine food in attractive surroundings Bodegas Barahonda is steeped in the history of winemaking but has adopted a thoroughly modern and contemporary attitude to its investment into the future As such it is the home of one of the most attractive and elegant bodegas in the Murcia Region Visitors are advised to arrive with an empty car boot as the temptation to buy a few bottles to try at home is irresistible after sampling the products and the excellent dining options on offer these wines are difficult to find in retail outlets in Murcia as most of the production is exported (An online service with home delivery is also offered) The bodega offers visits and tastings without the need to eat in the restaurant just as diners are welcome to book for the restaurant without taking a tour of the premises Full packages are offered combining all three elements for groups from between 2 and 60 people in English and Spanish although wine has been produced in this area for thousands of years. The Phoenicians were certainly trading wines produced on what is now the Spanish mainland as far back as 1100BC and the Romans exported substantial quantities of wine from territories in Spain throughout the Empire Amphorae from Spain have been found in settlements across France and Spanish wine was even exported to Roman soldiers guarding border settlements in modern-day Britain when records exist of wine sales made by Pedro Candela Soriana In 1925 Antonio Candela García founded the family bodega which was subsequently run by Antonio Candela Poveda and later by his sons Antonio and Alfredo these four generations bringing their intimate knowledge of the soil vines and climate to bear in the products of the bodega today The striking premises which welcome visitors today were built in 2006 and are surrounded by vineyards While this makes for a picturesque setting it is also highly practical as visitors can walk straight out of the front door and into a field of vines to learn about the cultivation and cropping of grapes There are two distinct areas of cultivation for DO Yecla wines; Campo Arriba and Campo Abajo ( literally high and low fields) The area sits on the edge of the Cordillera Subbética mountain range 80km inland from the coast and on the edge of the hot dry interior of central Spain. Vineyards in the DO range from 400 to 800 metres above sea level Bodegas Barahonda owns 150 hectares of its own vines and buys grapes from a further 600 hectares controlling production in collaboration with the agriculturalists farming the plots with plots in both Campo Arriba and Campo Abajo Campo Arriba vineyards in different areas of the north of Yecla at between 700 and 800 metres above sea level whereas the plots in Campo Abajo are between 400 and 500 metres 30% limestone annual climate fluctuations between –6ºC in winter months and 40ºC in summer and diurnal variations in temperature favour a slow ripening and concentration of flavour on vines with comparatively low yields particularly the most widely produced strain in the Barahonda armoury the Monastrell. This vine puts down very deep roots and produces a gutsy deep red wine which is fresh and packed with mouth-popping tannins when young Tintorera and Petit Verdot  grapes with which to produce red wines Macabeo and Airén for the production of whites Barahonda Organic: A coupage of Monastrell and Syrah Monastrell (70%)and Syrah ( 20%) from older vines in Campo Arriba at between 700 and 900 metres before blending, 90% American oak and 10% French oak aging bottled and cellared for further six months refreshing autumn fruit notes and lingering texture better at slightly warmer temperatures between 16º/18ºC 100% Monastrell. Vines are all very mature Hand harvested in small casks of only 10 kilos A striking clear yellow wine with green and citrus notes This wine is produced from 50- to 55-year-old Monastrell vines and 20+-year-old Syrah and Petit Verdot vines aged for 12 months in American and French oak Made with Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes The Cabernet Sauvignon is aged separately for 3 months in American and French oak barrels 100% Monastrell from vineyards older than 60 years and grown in dry climate conditions Aging in French barrels (500 litres) for nine months There are two main options available for those wishing to visit the bodega with tour times set at 11.30 from Tuesday to Saturday (prior booking is essential) Guided tour with a tasting of three wines: a guided walk through the vineyards and premises to learn about the grapes and the production process followed by three glasses of wine and an aperitif Premium tour: the package includes an extra wine from the Premium selection and is priced at 15 euros per head.  NOTE: If bookings are made in the Restaurante Barahonda a discount of 5 euros is applicable to these prices.  For children aged 12 to 17 the wine tasting is replaced by soft drinks.  Restaurant opening times: Tuesday to Sunday for lunch For restaurant bookings or further information: restaurante@barahonda.com telephone +34 968 753604 / +34 672 790773 The restaurant was awarded a sun by the Guía Repsol for 2015 an award which has been repeated in subsequent editions it can be visited independently of a wine tour and booked for private functions. There are two menu options priced at 55 and 73 euros per head.  The bodega shop is open from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 14.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00 and on Fridays from 9.00 to 14.00 Address: Bodegas Barahonda, Carretera Pinoso km 3,  30510 Yecla ‎(click for map) Phone number: +34 968 718696 / +34 637 882831 E-mail: info@barahonda.com, enoturismo@barahonda.com Philippines – Second seed Alex Eala could not have gotten a tougher foe for her opening-round match 6-2 victory over Katy Dunne of Great Britain in the Open Internacional Feminino at the Yecla Club de Tenis in Fuenteálamo in Spain on Tuesday Fresh off a quarterfinal finish in the ITF W25 Monastir in Tunisia last week the Filipina teen tennis star hardly had a moment to relax in her first event for the year in her home base in Spain as the 28-year-old Dunne gave her everything she could handle and more The veteran Dunne has won eight ITF titles in her career and was once ranked 212th in the world She played in the main draw of Wimbledon in 2018 Dunne broke Eala right in the first game of the first set The 18-year-old Eala broke right back to even the count at 1-1 and the score remained tied until the eighth game.  After her British foe regained the lead in the ninth game by breaking at love to go up Eala retaliated by winning the next three games to bank the first set but that was as far as she would go in the set Dunne was determined to extend the match to a decider and swept the remaining games to win the second set at 6-2 It was a battle of attrition from that juncture Eala had to save multiple break points at the start of the third set before finally preserving her serve She sustained her run by breaking Dunne the next game to go up 2-0.  Dunne showed signs of life by gaining the next two games to threaten anew at 2-2 and appeared to have seized the momentum in the match.  Sensing the danger of allowing Dunne back in the match Eala shifted to a higher gear and not only ensured she would not be broken again but also put pressure on the fading Brit who had no more energy to hold her last two serves.  Eala went on to snare the last four games to win the final set at 6-2 and close out the thrilling match.  The Filipina advanced to the second round where she awaits the winner of the battle between 25-year-old Jessica Failla of the United States and 19-year-old Nahia Berecoechea of France ALEX Eala welcomed June with a new career milestone bagging her third title in the International Tennis Federation pro circuit The Filipina tennis rising star overpowered Swiss Valentina Ryser in the final of the $25,000 tournament in Yecla Eala took a 3-0 lead before the 22-year-old Swiss managed to score her first game The two exchanged points before the Filipina finished off the set at 6-3 The following set was a see-saw challenge between the WTA No The championship is the latest addition to her pro titles from W25 Chiang Rai last year only started joining the women's circuit in late 2020 She is also expected to represent the Philippines in the upcoming 2023 Asian Games in China this September Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph Spin.ph has been granted the NPC Seal of Registration in recognition of the successful registration of its DPO and DPS We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on Spin.ph. By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. Find out more here This year’s Carnival celebrations in Yecla, in the north of Murcia, feature three special galas as well as two dances, a children’s party and of course the main parades in which as many as 900 people are expected to take part. Tickets for the main events are already going on sale at the Teatro Concha Segura in the evenings from 19.30 to 21.00 The program of events to mark the start of Lent includes the following: 21.30: The Coronation Gala of the 2024 Carnival Queen at the Teatro Concha Segura 20.00: The first Carnival gala takes place at the Feria del Mueble (click for map) with the participation of the Elysium 18.30: The second Carnival gala at the Feria del Mueble with the participation of the Conchi Bañón 17.30: A children’s party for those aged 5 to 12 – prior registration from February 5 to 8 through www.espaciojovenyecla.com 21.30: The third Carnival gala at the Feria del Mueble with the participation of the Destello 19.00: The main Carnival parade starts at the crossroads of Calle San Antonio and Calle Iberia Midnight: Another dance starts at the Feria del Mueble 16.30: The last Carnival dance at the marquee on Plaza de San Cayetano 17.30: The children’s parade (route: Calle San Antonio Tickets go on sale for the Coronation gala on January 30 for the second gala on February 1 and for the third gala on February 6 750 tickets for the dance at the Feria del Mueble will go on sale via instanticket on February 2 and another 200 are to be available at the box office of the Teatro Concha Segura