
The city of Águilas (70 mins drive) is one of the delightful port city located on the Costa Cálida. A tradition of seafaring now combines with a wide range of tourist facilities, making the most of one of its main attractions, the extensive coastline. Águilas, an old Roman fishing port, was established in more modern times during the Enlightenment, when in 1785 it began to operate as a port of exit for the produce of the Murcia region's fertile fields. In the 19th century it became a major mining enclave, a reminder of which times is the Hornillo jetty, where iron, lead and silver from the nearby mines were loaded onto ships.
Visit the historic town of Caravaca de la Cruz. (15 mins drive from Archivel). The people of caravaca celebrate the Festival of the Holy Cross at the beginning of May with the towns infamous race of the "wine horses" Riderless horses wearing beautifully embroidered coats race from the bottom of the town up to the castle. The celebration dates back to 1250 and is one not to be missed. One of the main features is its castle, which rises above the houses of Caravaca. Of Muslim origin, it was extended in the 15th century by the Knights Templars and later passed into the hands of the Order of Santiago. Fourteen towers guard the Sanctuary of the Santísima y Vera Cruz, which was built inside in the 17th century.
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