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Murcia Cultural Heritage As a result of its intense historical tradition, the reiterative superposition of cultures, its strategic location as a Mediterranean enclave and its transitional character as a border territory mid-way between the Meseta and Andalusia, the Murcia Region retains innumerable vestiges of the past, making it an ideal meeting-point where History and tradition have been instilled with new life and placed at the visitor¿s disposal. The abundant remains and archaeological sites include rock-paintings in cave-shelters dating back to the Iberian period, the splendour of Roman antiquity with its urbanistic refinement and penchant for the theatrical, Visigothic cities, Arab medinas, Christian castles, watch-towers, churches and temples, civil and military constructions... This ample historical, artistic, architectural and cultural heritage can be contemplated and admired in a diversity of natural settings, in the actual locations where the monuments themselves were erected, or within the thematic spaces provided by the Region¿s complete network of museums. The Region of Murcia is thus likened to a rich printed fabric upon which History has been depicted for our contemplation. Cultural Heritage Spain has a large amount of unique monuments, such as, for example, the Alhambra of Granada or the Mosque of Cordoba. Almost the entire history of occidental art is represented in Spain: Roman cities and Romanesque churches, Gothic cathedrals, cities dating back from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance period, or modern times, such as Barcelona, for example, with Gaudi as its main attraction. The website of the Ministry of Culture (www.mcu.es) offers detailed information on the most important cultural and artistic attractions of Spain per Autonomous Region. Museums National Museums Museo Arqueológico Nacional Music
Opera has a long tradition in Catalonia, though many other Spanish cities have famous music and opera festivals too. "Zarzuela" (Spanish operetta) is also highly appreciated. All major foreign pop-, rock-, jazz- etc. stars and groups include Spain in their world tours, generally during summer. Ibiza is the capital of electronic music and "chill-out". Theatre Spain has a wealth of theatre on offer: There is the classic theatre festival of Merida (www.festivaldemerida.es), plays from the "Golden Century" at the Almagro Festival (www.festivaldealmagro.com), or Contemporary Theatre like "El Mercat de las Hors" in Barcelona (www.mercatflors.org). Some cities offer theatre in foreign languages. Musicals are at its peak, especially the Spanish versions of Broadway shows. National Scenic arts centres Auditorio Nacional de Música Holiday
(*) In 2006, Holy Friday falls on the 14m of April. This, however, changes every year.
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