October 2011 Issue - Costa Calida Chronicle

Once again the weather has caused havoc
with the crops in the area. There were
reports of hail stones as big as golf balls,
crashing down and shredding the leaves
on the trees, knocking almonds, fi gs and
olives to the ground. The rest of the time,
the weather has been hotter than usual
and we have enjoyed using the swimming
pool to keep cool. Those who went back
to the UK to escape the heat during July
and August, came back to nearly as hot
weather.
The fi estas in the area continue into October,
with Bullas celebrating their Wine
Festival.
BULLAS
Bullas celebrates its main Feast honouring
Our Lady of the Rosary, on October 7th,
but according to an old tradition, the actual
Feast’s day falls on the fi rst Sunday
in October. The popular character who announces
the arrival of the Feast is a typical
musician called commonly “el Tío de
la Pita”.
The Friday’s night celebration is called
“Migas Night”, when everybody enjoys
the “Migas”, a typical Spanish dish from
Bullas, which is basically fl our, oil and water
cooked in a huge pan with various pieces
of meat and/or fi sh added. Saturday’s
dawn marks the beginning of the popular
“Diana”, a very original parade where noone
of the participating people can escape
from going dirty with fl our and eggs which
are thrown in gay abandon.
Apart from the two processions with the
image of Our Lady of the Rosary, there
are parades and the fl oral offerings,
where many people accompanied by music
bands carrying fl owers for the Holy Virgin’s
image that stands at the Church.
Bullas celebrates the Wine Festival every
last weekend in September just before the
Patronal Feast. Activities include the Wine
Route’s guided tours, tastings by the
Master of Wine that every year is awarded
to a person devoted to the viticulture
and oenology. Some other events are held
in the central square of Bullas on Sunday
morning, such as the Inauguration of
the Wine Fountain, the traditional grape
treading and the First Juice’s Blessing
that can be sampled by the people. Mu-
sic and traditional dances are also present
during these special moments.
Some other initiatives such as the Tapas
Fair make this festive climate more exciting
during these days when Bullas’ star
product, the wine, is celebrated.
There’s plenty to see and do in and around
Bullas including:
Museo del Vino, Bullas
This Museum illustrates the historical implications,
culture and socioeconomic effects
of the wine industry. It is located in
one of the few traditional wineries that
have survived in perfect condition, with its
brick vaults and jars partly buried in the
ground along its halls. English audio guide
available. At Avda. de Murcia, s/n. 30180,
Bullas, Murcia. Open Tuesday to Saturday,
10:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:00. Contact
968 657 211.
Don Pepe Marsilla House Museum
Every Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
This wonderful house has been restored
and preserved to recreate the lifestyle
of Don José Marsilla Melgares de Aguilar
(1854–1930). This old noble house is located
in Bullas’ Rosario Street, just behind
the parish Church. Don Pepe was a rich
and powerful landowner and mayor of Bullas.
There is an audio guide of the building.
El Zacatín
Craft Fair
Held in the
Plaza Vieja
and the Castle
area in
the centre of
town on the
fi rst Sunday
of each
month, this
handicraft
fair sells
products and
crafts from
the region.
Different activities
are arranged each month including
guided visits, demonstrations of traditional
trades.
General Market
This market offers fresh fruit and vegetables
and some household goods every
Tuesday morning in Gran Via Manuel Lopez
Carreno and surrounding streets. 08:30-
14:00pm
Cehegin Scene
In October the artisan market “El Mesoncico”
says hello to its monthly events until
next June. We celebrate the market the last
Sunday of the month in Plaza del Castillo
at the heart of the old town from 10.00 to
15.00pm. There you will fi nd more than 50
craftsmen of the area with stalls displaying
such products as cured meats, hams, pottery,
cakes, wines, cheeses, etc. Each of
the monthly markets has a different theme
showing traditional and local crafts. You
will be able to taste and enjoy the foods
and products most typical to this area.
October is the start of the Artisan Market
“El Mesoncico” with many new activities.
On this occasion we can see the proccess
of pressing of the grapes as it has
been since the XIX century. Furthermore,
it will be possible to taste wines
from the bodegas of Cehegin in the
denomination of Bullas together with
cheeses of the area.
Free parking is available at the Marble
Technology Centre situated in Carretera
Murcia, approached from the West. A free
bus service is operated to the market place
every 20 minutes
Every weekend you can visit the Ecological
Park opened to visitors from 9am until
6.00pm at weekends; everybody is welcome.
For visits during the week however,
a reservation is required by telephone to
696 775 783.
If there are any further enquiries please
contact the Cehegin Tourist Offi ce at 968
723 550 or visit our tourist website www.
turismocehegin.es
Santiago Leo
Cehegin Tourist Offi ce
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