Orihuela (Oriola)

Orihuela has 54,000 inhabitants (as of 2004), located inland 54 km from Alicante and 15 km from Murcia, Orihuela is in the south of the Alicante’s province. An ideal location for traveler because they have the choice between Murcia Airport (15 minutes by car) and Alicante airport (40 minutes by car).
Orihuela is one of the most if not the most monumental city of the province. The river Segura crosses the city doing good (for the agriculture) and bad (floods) for the population. Orihuela is the most monumental city of the province of Alicante, the street of Orihuela have churches, palaces, museums , this is an authentic art show off.
Even the office of tourism is located in the Palace of Marqués de Rubalcava building of neo-baroque style a large part of building is open to visitors. In the same building you can find the Museum of Reconquest , dedicated to the celebration Moors and Christians.

In 1265, Jaime the conqueror recovered the city from the Moors and gave the city to his son-in-law Alfonso X, the wise. Orihuela has a solid religious background with Popes, bishops (first bishop in 1437). The Santiago Church (national monument restored gothic) built in the XV century is one of the must-see in the city, this church has even some reminiscence of Arab style. Another important church in the city is Santa Justa y Rufina, dedicated to Saint Paul, the entrance of this church was once renovated in the past due to an earthquake. The cathedral of Orihuela is in gothic style dating of the XIV century. The main entrance – The door of the Chains is gothic too. The pope July II granted the cathedral rank in 1510. The building has several famous doors, the door of Chains , the door of Annunciation. The cathedral cointains the Museum of Diocesano, in that museum you can see the work of Salzillo, Vincente Lopez Ribera, the temptation of Saint Thomas by Velazquez is an interesting piece of artwork to see. The table the travel by Rodrigo de Osona, the face of Jesus by Luis de Morales , the Divine are all interesting artworks to see.

Except from its rich arts Orihuela has much more to offers, near Avenida Teodomiro at night you can go there one of the many pubs, the circo-theater and the Casino (built in 1887) are also go place for entertainment at night. Near Orihuela you can go the Orihuela coast beaches or one of the 3 golf courses in the area.( A total of 54 holes in an area of 1.700.00 m configures three golf course).