Orihuela (Spanish pronunciation: oriwela) is a city and municipality located at the feet of the Sierra de Orihuela mountains in the province of Alicante, Spain. The municipality has a total area of 367.19 km², and stretches all the way down to the Mediterranean coast, west of Torrevieja.
The river Segura flows through the city. The city was settled by Romans who called it Orcelis and subsequently Aurariola. Orihuela is the capital of the region of the “Vega Baja del Segura” (natural region of the Segura River); it has been the capital of a province and even of a kingdom. The city was named the first city of the province of Alicante, 11 September 1437.
The agriculture of Orihuela is based on lemons, oranges, almonds, olives, palm trees, pomegranates, cotton, hemp and vegetables. It also has an important industry of silk, wool and preserved food. The most important architectonic monuments of Orihuela are an Arabic castle with its towers, a Catholic cathedral built between the 14th and 16th centuries and theBaroque church of Santo Domingo. The Spanish poet Miguel Hernández was born in this city; he was a well known 20th century Spanish poet and playwright.
Orihuela is also important for its festival of Moors and Christians. If it is museums that you love, then head to the Centro Historico and, most importantly to the very helpful tourist office to ask them for more information. Even if you are not a museum lover, Orihuela is still worth a visit, if only to experience the boutique shops, the tapas bars, plazas, and the real Spanish atmosphere which Orihuela has in abundance
The Ociopia shopping mall is another place to visit with its various high street names.The Pinar de Bonanza to the south of Orihuela is a beautiful natural park and is a great place for a picnic. It has a number of marked walking and cycling trails which run through it as well as a collection of log cabins which are for rent!
Places of interest
• Town Centre: packed with historic buildings, as well as a good array of shops, bars and restaurants.
• Tourist Office: more information about the Cathedral, Bishops Palace, Seminary of San Miguel, Saint Domingo’s School, Sanctuary of our lady of Monserrate, Museum of the Reconquest, Rubalcava Palace, Museum of Sacred Art, Museum of Miguel Hernandez (Poet), Easter Museum, Archaeological Museum, the City Walls Museum, the Casino, the Teatro Circo and its many, many churches.
• El Palmeral Park: with over 10,000 palm trees.
• Rio Segura walking & cycling route: to the coast through, Benejuzar, Algorfa, Formentera, Rojales and finishing at the Marina in Guardamar or to the city of Murcia.
• Ociopia: small shopping mall.
• Pinar de Bonanza Natural Park: picnic tables and wooden log cabins which are for rent as well as walking and cycling routes.
Ideas of things to do in Orihuela
• Enjoy a long leisurely lunch in any of the traditional restaurants, sampling some typical food of the region. , if you are feeling really energetic you can walk up to the Seminary of San Miguel for some stunning roof top views!!
• Start off your day with a walk or cycle along the banks of the Rio Segura in either direction inland to Murcia or to the coast and the villages of Benejuzar, Algorfa, Formentera, Rojales and Guardamar. Reward yourself at the end of your day with a cerveza or vino and tapas in one of the many eateries in Orihuela.
• Immerse yourself in culture by visiting some of Orihuela’s museums and churches, many of which are free, then drive to the Pinar de Bonanza natural park to enjoy a picnic and relax under the pines.