Discover the Camino de Levante: A Pilgrim’s Path
Set off on an exciting adventure along the Camino de Levante, starting in the historic town of Orihuela.
This remarkable route leads you through the striking, arid landscapes of Alicante and Murcia before culminating at the breathtaking Caravaca de la Cruz.
The year 2024 brings added significance to this journey, as Caravaca celebrates its Jubilee Year—a rare occasion occurring once every seven years, filled with vibrant festivities and special events.
As we trek, shimmering views unveil themselves beyond clusters of pine trees.
My guide, Inma, beckoned me to gaze at the distant horizon, where a majestic sanctuary stood proud atop a rocky summit overlooking Caravaca de la Cruz.
This remarkable building represents not only our destination but also the end of a soul-stirring 118 km pilgrimage, steeped in the beauty and spirituality of southern Spain.
While the renowned Camino de Santiago draws large crowds of pilgrims, the Camino de Levante offers a tranquil escape, enriched by Vatican-endorsed cultural and spiritual sites alongside delightful Mediterranean cuisine.
Starting from Orihuela, this journey purposely veers off the common paths.
It utilizes a Via Verde—former railway lines now transformed into peaceful walking and cycling routes, while occasionally intersecting with bustling roads.
Each leg of the trek reveals a stunning array of landscapes, promising an unforgettable experience.
For the physically fit, this journey can be completed in five days; e-bike adventurers might finish in three.
Envision lush lemon groves heavy with fruit, prickly almond trees, gnarled ancient olive trees, and fragrant pine forests.
You’ll traverse neglected railway bridges spanning lush valleys and savor sweeping vistas of majestic mountains and picturesque hilltop villages, each topped with grand churches.
Similar to the Camino de Santiago, pilgrims walking or cycling are rewarded with stamps and a certificate upon reaching the Caravaca sanctuary.
However, unlike its more popular counterpart, the Levante route provides a more intimate experience, often allowing you to enjoy the tranquility without crowds of travelers nearby.
Experiencing Murcia on the Camino de Levante
Every stage of your pilgrimage culminates in lively towns filled with charming accommodations and attractions.
In the throbbing heart of Murcia, narrow streets and vibrant plazas brim with bustling outdoor cafes and restaurants.
Inma noted that Murcians thrive outdoors, readily embracing the sun rather than staying confined indoors.
On one lively Monday afternoon, we found ourselves in the lively Plaza de las Flores, where locals reveled in refreshing cañas and indulged in the beloved tapa known as ‘marinera’—a crunchy breadstick lavishly topped with a creamy potato, tuna, and mayo salad, finished with a savory anchovy.
At the restaurant El Secreto, we savored delectable offerings like rich croquetas and perfectly grilled mushrooms dripping with melted cheese.
The intricately crafted cathedral, made of golden-hued sandstone, stands as a testament to architectural brilliance across numerous eras, presenting an engaging mix of Gothic details and Baroque embellishments that captivate the onlookers’ attention.
After exploring, Inma introduced me to the local drink, café Asiático, at Drexco bar.
This misnamed ‘Asian’ coffee surprises with its unique blend of espresso, Licor 43, port, condensed milk, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of cinnamon—truly a one-of-a-kind wake-up call.
Our culinary voyage continued at La Diligente, where we tasted exquisite regional wines, including the robust and fruity Gémina, produced from Monastrell grapes that boast an impressive lineage of over 40 years, untouched by the invasive phylloxera pest.
The Grand Finale: Caravaca de la Cruz
Caravaca de la Cruz serves as the grand finale to this pilgrimage, expected to draw nearly a million visitors during the Jubilee Year.
The town’s spiritual focal point is the Santuario de la Santísima y Vera Cruz, a former castle that has been transformed into a basilica housing the historic remnants of the true cross within an intricately designed case shaped like the Caravaca cross, noted for its unique double horizontal arms.
Throughout the Jubilee, daily masses invite worshippers to receive blessings from the cross fragments.
On weekends, the outdoor services expand to accommodate the influx of pilgrims eager for connection and spirituality.
In the town center, charming shops display beautifully crafted gold and silver replicas of the Caravaca cross, offering unique keepsakes for those touched by the experience.
Every year on May 3rd, Caravaca celebrates the Baño de la Cruz, a remarkable event commemorating the 1384 moment when the cross cleansed the town’s waters, ending a locust plague.
Building up to this celebration is the captivating Los Caballos del Vino (Wine Horses) festival, recognized by UNESCO, featuring spectacular horse races and competitions showcasing elaborately decorated horses.
At the Wine Horses Museum, I marveled at stunning embroidered costumes painstakingly crafted by artisans over months.
Inma shared that these encasing costumes often depict renowned local figures, allowing artisans to showcase their skills through intricate likenesses.
In Caravaca, the culinary adventure doesn’t disappoint.
At El Horno, I reveled in a delightful array of dishes, from creamy mushroom and black truffle croquetas to refreshing tuna tartar and a vibrant prawn salad adorned with mango and avocado.
As my enriching pilgrimage reached its conclusion, I enjoyed a night under the stars, engaging with Astroversia to explore celestial wonders just as our ancestors once did.
This wondrous end to a week immersed in nature, far from urban clamor, left a profound and uplifting impression that will resonate for years to come.
Source: Euronews