My Last Night in Murcia

Speaking English at the Bar Oliver

Having arrived back on the bus from Cartagena, it wasn't too long before I set off again to the Zig Zag commercial centre, where I spent my fourth night as a guest of the Language Workshop.

My role again, as a native English speaker, was to act as a co-ordinator of a small group of keen students of the English language, this time inside the Bar Oliver. Using the same prepared questions that I had on the Wednesday night at El Ahorcado Feliz, but this time with a different set of people, it proved to be another evening where my help was very much appreciated.

After a couple of hours, the first part of the evening came to a close and part of the large group reconvened at La Tasca de Mari, where several people were very keen to speak to me, before and after the formalities of the evening - when I was asked to give another short speech.

Salsa at the Bora Bora

Having had some much needed tapas, my first food since breakfast, the night finished at the Salsateca Bora Bora - a salsa dancing club at the Zig Zag. After a very long and eventful day, I hardly had the energy to think about anything else, except to enjoy a nice cold beer and contemplate the long journey back home to England the next day. 

However, even though I had never thought of taking a dancing lesson in my life, I was very tempted to stay longer and give it a go, especially when talking to a slim and very attractive potential dance partner - who I only had a chance to talk to at the very end of the night!

El Teatro Romano

Recycled Corinthian capitals

A general view of the Roman theatre

I have always been fascinated by the Romans, with their feats of construction and engineering and, having only had a brief glimpse of the Roman aqueduct in Segovia at night, during my previous visit to Spain, I wanted to make the most of this occasion.

Although my trip to Cartagena coincided with the only cloudy day during my week in Murcia, I was able to take a comprehensive set of photographs that show the theatre in a good light.

Reconstructed columns

Having never seen a structure like this before, I was struck by its dramatic scale and location and, although I have since learned that there has been some criticism of the restoration, as with the Roman theatre in Valencia, I was very impressed by what I saw.

Looking at old photographs, it is very obvious that the site has been enhanced, to attract tourists, but I think that there is a good balance between conservation and restoration. 

Together with the displays in the museum, you certainly get a good impression of what the theatre must have been like and I would certainly recommend visitors to the region of Murcia to see this fascinating place.

Miscellaneous stones

Wandering around, I was interested in the variety of stones that I observed and, possessing good experience of publicising the educational value of ancient monuments here in England, I came back home with some new ideas.

The good response to the e-mails that I have sent, to express my interests in the geology of Cartagena, makes me look forward to developing my ideas here - in the future.

A general view of the Roman theatre

El Museo del Teatro Romano

 El Museo del Teatro Romano

Modernism in a Catalan Style

The entrance to the museum is in Plaza de Héroes Cavite, opposite the tourist information office.

Built in 1908, and inspired by Catalan Modernism, this well restored and good looking building is a fitting introduction to the Roman theatre. Having paid my modest entrance fee and purchased a good quality guide book, written in English, I took a good look around.

All of the interpretation boards and labels for the exhibits are written in both English and Spanish and, although I am not that interested in ancient pottery, I took the time to read the information and get a better understanding of the history of the place.

Unsurprisingly, my attention was drawn to the wide variety of stones that can be seen everywhere - both in the modern architecture and in the ancient artefacts.

A fragment of an old Roman wall

Corinthian capitals, carved in both the local sandstone and the finest Carrara marble, have been set aside from the archaeological excavations, together with various statues and inscriptions that have been carved into other stones.

I particularly liked the polished marble that has been used for flooring throughout the museum. I had seen it many times before on the streets of Murcia, and had thought that it was very attractive, but here it adds a real touch of quality.

Artefacts in Room 1

Being keen to get to see the Roman Theatre itself, I rather hurried around the museum and you could easily spend more time here than I did. Although the exhibits aren't extensive, there are many interactive displays, virtual reconstructions and models that are very informative.

Passing along a subterranean passageway to reach the theatre, various sections of ancient walls provide an insight into the complex construction of the structure.

Rea Silvia in Room 2