Huertana in Moratalla - photo copyright: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rinkoweb/

The Moratalla town festivals begin on June 15 for the feast of Cristo del Rayo. Some highlights include the Huertano Parade (similar to the main Huertano parade in Murcia city), the floral offerings, religious activities and the solemn procession. Most weekends from the 15th June till the 17th July will have some interesting activity going on.

However, due to the apricot harvest in June the main partying occurs between 10th and 17th July, when all the produce has been picked and packed.

Although there are numerous activities such as the election and coronation of the Queen and Ladies of Honor, a literary contest, fireworks, music etc, the core of the party centres around the capture and release of wild cattle – the encierro of Moratalla. Morning, afternoon and evening releases are announced with fireworks. For seven days the narrow streets become the scene of madness for those who want to “run with the bulls”. The brave race ahead of the bulls as they run down hill to the main square, using the wooden railings to catapult themselves out of harm’s way. The sensible hide behind bull bars, or on their balconies and watch from a distance.

The obligatory bull bars on my brother's house - no entry for bulls!

The crowds gather at first light and jump and dance endlessly to the competing strains of music. Every peña (makeshift party house) has their own idea of what great music should sound like – but they all have some commonalities – the music should be loud, distorted and 24/7! The girls gyrate as the boys pose, it’s certainly fun to watch.

We recommend seeking refuge in any of the many peñas installed along the route and enjoy Moratalla’s traditional hospitality, but remember, you’re never completely safe from the bulls.

Useful Links

For some great photos: http://www.laverdad.es

For the full history:  http://www.moratalla-turismo.com

For more details about the bull running: http://www.encierrosdemoratalla.es/

For day by day details of events: http://www.encierrosdemoratalla.es

The Moratalla Ayuntamiento site: http://www.ayuntamientomoratalla.net

Our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/moratalla.murcia

If you want to enjoy the party, and have a safe and quiet place to escape to, our townhouse is the perfect solution!

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Bulls running around the top corner of town, heading down hill to the square

Running with the bulls in Moratalla is a dangerous and mostly entertaining spectacle. Our house is tucked away from the main street, but my brother’s house overlooks the madness. Here are some photos and videos so you can see the “fun” for yourself.

A couple of videos of the action. You can see the partying goes on all night, the penas stay open for business, and the music blasts competitively all down the street. All good humoured.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYlCHD4NEmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8319Ta7UrU

Looking down from my brother's house to where the bulls run

The obligatory bull bars on my brother's house - no entry for bulls!

Close up (well as close as we got!) to a bull

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The Church standing proudly in the centre of the town (the castle in the background)

The church is located in the historic old town – there are two access points. You can get to the church from the town house within 1 minute walk (slightly uphill).

This is one of the very few restored columnar type churches. The colossal columns used in this church, as in the temples of El Salvador in Caravaca, is a sign of noble Roman classicism. Its three ribbed vaults are supported by six columns, two of them, free-and four cantilevers.

The church at night

The church is Renaissance style from the 16th century (Siglo XVI) and is located on calle major in Moratalla.

After last Civil War the building was almost destroyed, the altar burned and there were heavy losses. On August 7, 1950 the church was restored by architect Peter Cer.

The church

For more information look here: http://www.regmurcia.com/servlet/s.Sl?sit=a,85,c,522,m,1075&r=CeAP-2011-C_406_DETALLE_CENTRO

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Snow on the Revolcadores, Moratalla - photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/n4n0

The bulls running through Moratalla - right past my brother's house.

Moratalla Town Hall - at the bottom of the town

Moratalla from above, with mountains in the background

Moratalla Market just setting up on Saturday morning

Moratalla Teatro - Theatre and Cinema

Moratalla Drummers - visit at Easter to hear them

Moratalla with almonds in blossom (springtime)

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The old site at www.NativeSpain.com had been overrun by bad people trying to sell you things you didn’t want, show you things you shouldn’t see and “share” money with you that wasn’t theirs. This was really frustrating for you and for me. It meant the real discussion and useful information was lost amongst the rubbish. And lots of you stopped coming to visit.

The new site is set up differently. All registrations will get approved by me or an administrator. So feel free to invite people to the site to join in the knowledge that only nice, real people will be allowed in. This will mean only people you know and like will get access.

The site is set up so that you can easily get in touch with like-minded people with an interest in Spain – and you can set up your own groups to discuss what you want, all for no cost. I’ll add content to the site regularly, let me know what you want to read about and see.

Now I know there are loads of other sites out there for Spain-lovers (I’ll be adding a list of all the great ones) – but this site is a bit different – it’s kind of like facebook for people interested in Spain, but safe and secure, by invitation only! So if you know how to use facebook you’ll find www.NativeSpain.com really easy to use.

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To see a short video of just click play below. Surprisingly loud! I think there’s a theme developing here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjHe7aIe0cs

Last year we decided to go in national costume – here are the photos of our progress:

Step 1: Hair (and no make-up – my first mistake)

Debs doing Bando de la huerta Hair

Hair should be in a bun at the back of your head, and you should wear flowers over your right ear. (Women can wear their hair this way too…)

Step 2: The tent (oops I mean skirt)

Bando de la Huerta Tent - oops I mean skirt

I bought a children’s size skirt (being on the short side I had no choice!) – I think I could fit all of the Von Trapp family singers and some nuns in mine!

On top of the skirt I had a pinny – made of black silk – nice. And a black shawl over my white blouse – Marcus called it my cape.

Step 3: The Legs

Very fetching long socks (I remember these from school and getting chapped legs in the winter!) – they come up a long way (especially on short legs). However, I was worried that they would slide down, so I safety pinned them to my knickers. Not a good plan, the socks still came down, along with the knickers.

Bando de la Huerta tights and espadrilles

Next year I’ll use gaffa tape (on my knickers).

The shoes are very practical too – NOT! I admit that once we’d had the photo taken we quickly changed into the traditional “nike” footwear.

Step 4: The Ensemble

Marcus and Debs in Bando gear at home in La Murta (the Shire)

Well, after 1 hour of messing about (I have about 6 safety pins, 3 brooches and 30 hair pins about my person) this was us – ready to go and party!

And here’s the party…

After all that we’ve still got to bury a sardine on Saturday…

Bando de la Huerta - Planes doing flyover

Debs standing next to Bando models - I'm not that short!

Bando socks - later in the day

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3. Moratalla Town Photos Some great photos showing the diversity around Moratalla town…...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWD24cC1a4E

Drummer In Moratalla

Allegedly (and I’m hoping someone with more knowledge will correct me if I’m wrong) Jesus was a drummer. So in Moratalla they celebrate by banging drums, big ones, everyone – children, grannies, big kids, even adults.

The only day they stop banging the drums is on the Saturday before Easter Sunday – because Jesus couldn’t drum when he was dead. The rest of the time leading up to Easter they drum – from morning till night and through to morning again.

We read in La Verdad that there were 1500 drummers in the streets last year. And an additional 7000 visitors during Easter. Most of them got very wet, but they didn’t seem to mind.

Related posts:

1. Moratalla Town Photos Some great photos showing the diversity around Moratalla town…...
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3. The Church in Moratalla – IGLESIA NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ASUNCIÓN The church is located in the historic old town –...

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