March 12 to 15 Segureño lamb fair in the Caravaca village of Archivel

A celebration of the unique meat quality of the Segureño lamb in north-western Murcia

The 9^th annual Fair of Segureño Lamb and cattle farming is being held from 12^th to 15^th March in the village of Archivel, not far from Caravaca de la Cruz, showcasing a breed whose adaptation to the sometimes harsh conditions in its natural habitat contribute to the outstanding quality of its meat.

The breed is native to the mountains near the source of the River Segura in the provinces of Granada, Murcia, Albacete, Jaén and Almería, and it is officially different from the “Manchego” breed which lives in much of Castilla-La Mancha. Protected Geographical Indication status was awarded by the EU in 2013 and the overall population hovers at around 150,000, producing some 450,000 for slaughter every year.

This is enough to generate economic activity of some 60 million euros annually in the five provinces, and within the Region of Murcia the most productive area is to be found in the north-western municipalities of Moratalla, Caravaca de la Cruz, Bullas, Cehegín and Calasparra. In consequence, there are delicious offerings of roast lamb, lamb stew and the “tartera” of Caravaca at many local restaurants!

In Archivel the fair is taking place at the local showground with the aim of raising awareness of the unique qualities of Segureño lamb through exhibitions, guided visits and gastronomic and entertainment attractions, with the programme for the weekend including the following:

Wednesday March 11

The flocks arrive at the showground.

Thursday March 12

9.00: The animals go on display.

10.00: Schoolchildren visit to learn about the breed and receive guidance from vets belonging to ANCOS.

Friday March 13

9.00: Exhibition of sheep and goat herds.

10.00: Schoolchildren begin a guided visit to learn about the Segureña breed and how to look after the animals, as well as taking part in a cheese-making workshop.

21.00: Screening of the documentary “Luzas y Morras” at La Muralla in Archivel.

Saturday March 14

9.00: The venue opens for the day,

12.00: Official opening ceremony and exhibitions begin of the Segureña breed, mountain goats and the white “Celtibérica” breed.

Workshops are held with activities such as esparto grass weaving, “bolillos” embroidery, knitting, shearing and the making of cattle bells.

Children’s games are installed for the day.

12.30: A guided tour of the cattle area.

14.00: Lunch is on offer, not surprisingly consisting of Segureño lamb dishes.

16.00: Live music from Orquesta La Movida Electric Band.

20.00: DJ music for the evening.

Sunday March 15

9.00: The venue opens for the day.

12.00: Prizegiving ceremonies.

13.00: A display of horse breaking by José Muñoz Ruiz ‘El Patilla’.

14.30: Paella for all. The ingredients are not specified on the programme but it’s a fair bet that lamb will be among them…

15.30: The cattle are removed before the fair ends at 16.00.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.

Address

Calle De Las Monjas, 19, 30400 CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ

Tel: 968 702424 / 968 701003

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Caravaca de la Cruz tourist office

More information about the places of interest which can be visited in the municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz, along with what's on and local news can be found in the Caravaca Today.

Caravaca de la Cruz, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, is one of only 5 Holy Cities in the Roman Catholic world, a centre of pilgrimage, along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Santo Toribio de Liebana, and is home to the Cross of Caravaca, the Vera Cruz.

The status of Holy City was bestowed by Pope John Paul II in 1998, granting the City a Permanent Jubilee year every 7 years for perpetuity, the first one held in 2003 and the next in 2024.

The strategic and natural advantages of Caravaca de la Cruz have attracted the attention of settlers for more than 800,000 years, the Cueva Negra yielding remains of Homo Heidelbergensis, forbears of the Neanderthals and the municipality also houses important archaeological remains from the Argaric, Iberian and Roman cultures. many of these can be seen in the Municipal Archaeological Museum.

As a border town caught between the Catholic forces of Castille and the last remaining Moorish stronghold in Spain, Granada, Caravaca had a turbulent medieval history, but it was during this period that the legend of the Cross of Caravaca was born, bringing the religious orders which shaped the structure of Caravaca today, with its impressive hilltop castle and eclectic collection of churches and monasteries, religious tourism today being a backbone of the town´s economy.

Caravaca de la Cruz is a municipality with important natural resources, including extensive forests, part of which have protected status due to their wealth of flora and fauna, and due to the abundant water supplies is also a major area for canned fruit production, apricots in particular being an important crop.

Caravaca is renown for its important May Fiestas, held in honour of the Vera Cruz, which also incorporate the Moors and Christians celebrations and the Running of the Wine Horses.

Caravaca de la Cruz is also the home of Europe´s largest collection of ethnic instruments at Barranda, the Museo de Música Étnica Barranda  and is the location of the Barranda festival de Cuadrillas, which celebrates the Region's ethnic music traditions.

The municipality is home to around 26,000 inhabitants and shares boundaries with Moratalla, Cehegín, Lorca, Puebla de Don Fadrique in the province of Granada and Vélez-Blanco in the province of Almería.

Tourist office opening times:

Weekdays: 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30

Saturdays: 10.30 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.30

Sundays and public holidays: 10.30 to 14.00

 

Click for map, Caravaca de la Cruz Tourist Office