San Javier
The town of San Javier has become the administrative capital of the Mar Menor for its multiple services and full staff. Its economy is mostly based on tourism and auxiliary industries and agriculture.
Its artistic offer is based on:
- The Church of San Francisco Javier:
The construction of this church lasted during the eighteenth century and part of the nineteenth. The construction began in 1698. After the Civil War many of the works of art that had disappeared in the contest were recovered, which were exhibited in the Museum of Sacred Art of the Parish of San Francisco Javier, which was inaugurated on July 29. September 1994. The Museum of San Javier:
This museum was created in February 1995, as a result of a proposal from the Center for Historical Studies and Local Research of the Region of Murcia, and was located in the Cuartel House of the Civil Guard. With the enthusiasm and effort of a group of volunteers, it opened its doors for the first time on March 30, 1996.
In June of the same year the Bethlehem Museum of Spain was inaugurated, in the same building .
For a few years, it was located on the top floor of the building the Reporter's Room, which contained the personal collection of journalist Tico Medina, formed by unique pieces throughout Spain.
- The gardens of the "Parque Almansa":
Among these gardens is the Auditorium, with capacity for more than two thousand spectators, which in the months of Summer hosts numerous cultural and tourist events, such as the Theater, Music and Dance Festival or the Jazz Festival, as well as musical performances and all kinds of cultural events. There is also a tent in the park where cultural and festive events are held in the winter months.
- San Javier Sports Center:
With modern facilities, covered pavilion and heated swimming pool.
• The Municipal Library:
It has 9,315 volumes and 12,543 users. The file started the documentation in 1871 and only supports administrative queries.
Santiago de la Ribera
Founded in 1888 at the request of Fray José María Barnuevo Rodrigo de Villamayor, Knight of the Military Order of Santiago, who from the estate of his property, Torre Mínguez, conceptualized, in an excellent and modern way for his time (19th century) , the urban layout of a part of said estate, ordering it in the form of a grid, in imitation of the urban extensions of cities such as Barcelona or Valencia.
In a short time, it became a summer resort for the wealthy families of Murcia, who built their houses along the coastline, some of which are still preserved.
The elitist nature of these first vacationers, as well as the undeniable cultural influence of the General Air Academy, meant a strong growth not only in the physical plane of the population but also in the open character of its people.
Santiago de la Ribera is a perfectly urbanized town, with a modern air, with a beautiful promenade flanked by palm trees that runs along its long beach, but which has never lost its warm taste of a fishing village. An excellent Yacht Club, nautical activities schools, hotels and tourist apartments, in addition to a renovated old town and the kindness of its people, make this beautiful town a unique destination for your holidays.
La Manga del Mar Menor
Imagine a strip of sand 21 km long, with a width that varies from 100 to 1000 meters. On both sides two seas, the Menor and the Mediterranean: it is the Manga del Mar Menor.
This natural wonder has been populated since ancient times. Fishermen and shepherds, in addition to the soldiers quartered in the watchtower of El Estacio, were their only inhabitants at certain times of the year. However, it was not until 1960 when, taking advantage of the awakening of tourism activity in our country, and under the declaration of Tourist Interest Zone, when its development begins.
Apartment towers, residential centers, luxurious villas, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an important Marina, make up this magnificent and unique tourist destination, with a hotel and accommodation offer that represents more than 50% of the regional total and where a a certain cosmopolitanism adds the beauty of its landscape, its special qualities for water sports and a wide range of leisure and entertainment, remaining the last few kilometers of it practically in a natural state.
The geographical caprice makes up more than 40 kilometers of beaches, and allows us to choose between two seas with different temperatures, different salinity levels, one with waves and the other practically calm all year round.
Other districts
The important agricultural area of the districts of El Mirador, La Grajuela, Roda and Pozo Aledo, produces the most varied species Vegetables: citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, flowers, etc.
The modernization of irrigation, production and marketing systems and the introduction of new technologies has led San Javier to be known in international markets, in addition to tourism, for the quality of its agricultural production.
