Holiday apartment in Beniaján: Waterways, patron saint's festival and culture

Beniaján tells its story through water, agriculture, festivals and culture. Between the irrigation networks of Murcia’s Huerta, the gypsum extraction sites on the foothills of the Sierra de Columbares and the annual patron saint’s festival held in July, the townscape reveals many different facets.

Nature and trails

The Rutas del Agua comprise three circular routes focusing on Beniaján’s irrigation networks, their history and the customs associated with them. The 10,000-step route also connects several districts and landscape features: it starts at the Ermita de San Antón in El Bojar (Beniaján) and leads to the Cruz del Monte Miravete in Torreagüera. The route is approximately 2.6 kilometres long to this destination and has a moderate to moderately challenging difficulty level.

Another connection to the Huerta is the 86-kilometre green ring through Murcia’s Huerta. One of its new routes leads close to the Acequia de Beniaján. This means that, alongside the local circular routes, longer trails through the region’s rural landscape are also associated with the town.

Water and Huerta

The irrigation landscape is reflected not only in today’s trails. On the mountainside near the Barrio de El Bojar, there are boqueras built into the rock or mountain scree. They serve as extensions and overflow channels for small ramblas flowing down the slopes, directing occasional floodwaters towards the cultivated areas of Los Márques or Monteazahar.

Beniaján’s irrigation networks also include a system that made temporary use of alluvial water flowing from the ramblas. This water enriched the terraced areas immediately beside the mountain slopes with fertile material. The structures and methods of use illustrate how closely the agricultural land was connected to the natural watercourses.

Culture and history

One of the year’s highlights is the patron saint’s festival in honour of Nuestra Señora la Santísima Virgen Coronada del Carmen y de las Benditas Ánimas del Purgatorio. It is celebrated every July with civic and religious events deeply rooted in local tradition. The festival in honour of the Virgen del Carmen begins on the Friday before 16 July and ends on the following Sunday. Its programme includes a floral offering, a Huertana Mass, a main Mass and a solemn procession.

The performing arts are represented by the Auditorio y Centro de Artes Escénicas Sebastián Gálvez Arce. It opened in March 1993 and was the first venue of its kind established by Murcia City Council. The centre offers a wide-ranging programme for all age groups, including music, dance, theatre, film, magic, comedy and circus.

The history of local labour and raw-material extraction is also part of Beniaján’s character. Significant deposits of hydrated calcium sulphate were found on the foothills of the Sierra de Columbares near Beniaján. Gypsum was produced from it by firing and grinding; several kilns for manufacturing this product were located in the area of present-day Beniaján.

Market and produce

A weekly market is held in Beniaján as part of Murcia’s network of Huerta markets. Local farmers attend these markets to sell freshly harvested produce directly. Other goods on offer include homemade cured meats and traditional preserved products. In this way, contemporary agriculture and traditional food production come together in a regularly recurring market.

More destinations

For a further regional selection, you can also find Villanueva Del Río Segura, Archena, Ojós, La Tercia, Llano de Brujas, Valladolises, Las Ventanas and Caravaca De La Cruz.

For the higher-level travel overview: Murcia.