Churra (Murcia)

Churra is a district belonging to the municipality of Murcia (Spain). It has a population of 8,917 inhabitants (INE 2021) and an area of 5.6 km². Its distance from the center of Murcia is 3.5 kilometers and it is located at an altitude of 57 meters above sea level.

In the territory of the district there is the Ikea Murcia shopping center, as well as the Thader and Nueva Condomina centers, with the Enrique Roca stadium.

Geography

The district is located at a distance of 3.5 km north of Murcia. It occupies an area of approximately 5.6 km². The average altitude is 57 meters above sea level.

Limited by a municipality and three districts of Murcia:

• North: municipality of Molina de Segura
• East: Torres Head
• West: The Puntal
• South: Santiago and Zaraiche

The main centers of the district are Churra, El Castellar, Senda de Granada and Torre Alcayna. The La Ladera urbanization and the new neighborhoods around Juan de Borbón avenue north of Santiago and Zaraiche (Ortiz de Zárate square, Cubos square...) are also located on land in the district.

Climate

Churra's climate is semi-arid Mediterranean, since it is located very close to this sea. It stands out with mild winters (with an average temperature in January of 10 °C) and hot summers (the average temperature in August is almost 27°C).

History

Most of the History of Churra is closely linked to Murcia and its Huerta from the moment of its foundation.

Foundation

Churra was founded in the Middle Ages, during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. The founders gave it the name Sharat (in Arabic, شرات), which in Arabic means saw. Like many other Murcian districts, it was born from one of the numerous agricultural plots that began to be populated after the foundation, in the IX century , from Mursiya (in Arabic: مرسجة), present-day Murcia. Sharat, initially referred to the entire area that Churra, Cabezo de Torres and Espinardo cover today. The area where the Segura and Guadalentín rivers meet, where Murcia and all the surrounding districts extend today, was an uninhabitable area in the 8th century. , when the Muslims arrived on the Peninsula. It was the invaders who, through an advanced irrigation system (which continued the one already started by the Romans), managed to convert the area into fertile and habitable lands. This is how various small, eminently agricultural towns began to appear. The origin of the urban center was in what is known today as the Acequia de Churra la Vieja. This was a smaller irrigation canal that came from two more important irrigation canals: Aljufia and Alquibla, both coming from al-Azud, near the current town of Javalí Viejo.

9th-15th centuries

Under Andalusian rule, the core continued to be inhabited by a few settlers grouped around the Acequia Churra la Vieja. The period of greatest splendor of Murcia and its orchards was reached during the reign of Ibn Mardanis, The Wolf King, who ruled the kingdom of Mursiya until 1172.

The Infante Alonso of Castile conquered Murcia from the Muslims in 1243. According to the treaty of Cazorla, the reconquest of Murcia had fallen to the Castilians, although ratification was necessary in 1244, through the treaty of Almizra. In 1304 Churra was It became the dividing line between the lands given to Christians who came especially from Aragon and those granted to the Muslims who already inhabited the area. During the 14th and 15th centuries Churra was a transit center for anyone who wanted to go from Cartagena to Molina and enter La Mancha to Toledo. A first-rate road passed through Churra that over time, and in the entire area around Murcia, ended up being known as Camino de Churra. This road was used by the Catholic Monarchs on their way to Granada in 1488.

The entire Huerta de Murcia experienced a period of prosperity with the defeat of the Kingdom of Granada in 1492 and the unification of Spain. Churra experienced a significant increase in population due to the increase in farmland and the construction of farmhouses. Added to this was the reform of the Segura River bed, which ensured the constant flow of water in the ditches.

16th and 17th centuries

Churra enjoyed another great demographic and economic increase throughout the XVI century thanks to the growing importance of the silk, which reached great importance in the town. At the beginning of the XVII century, the Moorish population had flourished thanks to the development of this industry, which lived peacefully with the Christians who came from other kingdoms of Spain and even Europe. However, Churra, like the entire region, was affected by the numerous Moorish revolts that developed especially at the end of the century XVI and early 17th century and which culminated with the expulsion of the Muslims in 1609. Some of the Muslims of Churra moved to the Ricote Valley from where the Moors had not yet been expelled.. This expulsion caused a significant population decline that, together with the various plague epidemics and natural disasters (San Calixto flood, for example) in the middle of the century, led to the decline of the industry. Much land had to be abandoned due to lack of labor, although the population of Churra once again became eminently agrarian.

18th century

To alleviate the decrease in inhabitants and the decline of the economy in the area, numerous works began to be carried out that improved the infrastructure. Churra benefited from the works when the Churra bridge was built in 1701. Throughout this century, a gradual recovery of the population began, which led to the greater economic importance of the town. According to the census carried out in 1787 by Floridablanca, Churra had 1,495 inhabitants. In 1785 it was named Village of Realengo and was directed for the first time by a pedestrian Mayor. From then on it appeared as part of the parish of San Miguel de Murcia.

19th century

During the Liberal Triennium (1820 – 1823), Churra separated from the Murcia City Council and obtained its own mayor. This also happened in many other districts in the area. The split took place on November 5, 1821, although it did not last long due to the economic difficulties that the town was experiencing. On April 21, 1834, by Royal Decree, Churra, together with Cabezo de Torres, became dependent on Espinardo, abandoning the Administration of Murcia. However, in 1848 the Espinardo City Council lost its independence, joining that of Murcia. Since then Churra has not stopped being a Murcian district.

Pascual Madoz described the district of Churra in the Geographical-Statistical-Historical Dictionary of Spain and its Overseas Possessions of 1850 as a district about 6 km from Murcia. It was inhabited by 1,838 people and extended over 1,959 tahúllas of land (approximately 2.2 km²). The economy was based on irrigated agriculture and the main plantations were mulberry, wheat, corn, pepper, oil and legumes. The silk industry also maintained a certain strength.

Throughout the century Churra suffered, along with Murcia, numerous altercations. At the beginning of the century he contributed several men to the front of the Spanish War of Independence against the French. Later, with the persecution of the liberals, it also suffered various scuffles and confrontations between monarchists and liberals.

In 1897, Cabezo de Torres, which until then had depended on Churra, was segregated under the name of Cabezo de Churra.

20th century

The population of the district of Churra was quite irregular throughout the entire 20th century. Although during the decades of the 40s, 50s and 60s there was a significant demographic increase, the same had not happened in the first third of the century. In the 1980s it suffered a demographic decline. With the economic growth of Murcia throughout the century, Churra was relegated to the background. While a bourgeois population flourished in the city, Churra, like many other districts, remained a small nucleus of farmers. With the arrival of democracy, Churra remained a district belonging to Murcia and democratically elects the mayor of this city, who appoints the district mayor.

Heritage

In Churra three notable buildings stand out: The old irrigation canal, the new irrigation canal and the Alcayna Tower.

The old irrigation ditch

The Churra la Vieja irrigation canal originates in La Ñora, near the famous Rueda, in the mother Aljufía irrigation canal. In addition to Churra, it runs through the districts of Guadalupe and Espinardo and Cabezo de Torres, before concluding in the Azarbe district of Monteagudo. It dates back to the period of Islamic domination and coincides with the founding of ''Mursiya'' by Abd al-Rahman II in the year 825. It took on great importance in the century XII when its waters were used to irrigate a series of palaces and castles: El Castillo del Cabezo, Castillejo, Castillo de Larache and Castillo de Monteagudo. That is why it was so important, since it had a double function: irrigation and supplying the area's defenses with water. During the Modern Age and the 19th and 20th centuries it was essential in the great development that citrus and vegetable crops achieved. The importance of this growing area is such that, given the need for a greater volume of water in the XVI century, the Churra la Vieja irrigation canal will be helped by the construction of Churra la Nueva.

The new irrigation ditch

The origin of the new irrigation canal dates back to Roman rule, although its current form and the hydraulic constructions that can be seen today come from the Muslim era. This irrigation canal nourishes the entire orchard of Murcia and is located in the Greater Northern Estate, crossing, in addition to Churra, the districts of Javalí Viejo, La Ñora, Guadalupe and Monteagudo. The first written document in which the irrigation ditch appears dates from the year 1436. In that document The irrigation ditch is used to delimit land. The waters that circulated through the irrigation ditch were the cause of numerous conflicts among the irrigators in the area. This practice was so common that it was necessary in the 15th century for the Council to dictate rules against water theft. It is believed that the New irrigation canal with its 60 branches may be the result of rectifications of the route of the old irrigation canal to modify the path of the water. It should be noted that the water distributed by the irrigation ditch comes directly from the river, which is why it has been damaged by the numerous floods of the Segura River. For this reason the other irrigation ditches are protected by the Weir whose function is to retain these flows.

Alcayna Tower

The Casa de Torre Alcayna is located on the Avenida de los Pinos, so called because it is where some of the town's famous ancient pine trees are planted, the place where the Catholic Monarchs arrived in Murcia in 1488, constituting a place cataloged within the Historical and Natural Heritage of the Region of Murcia. It is next to the Parish of Our Lady of the Incarnation.

Torre Alcayna is a house that dates back to the 18th century. It is made up of several two-story parts, above which a roof with beautiful wrought iron railings stands out. The walls of the building are made of stone without ornamentation except for the windows, protected by elegant bars. The entrance door uses a semicircular arch. The entrance area is made of wood, glass and wrought iron. Inside it houses a chapel, whose tower can be seen from the outside, near the main façade. The upper part must have housed a bell, lost today. In the garden of the house we can find a great variety of native flora. Currently, the house is abandoned and in poor condition, as is the case with the pine trees, due to the negligence of the municipal authorities.

Nature

Churra is located in the northern area of the Huerta de Murcia, so the most notable nearby landscape is the orchard itself, very typical throughout the Region. Between the area occupied by the orchard and the fords of centuries-old ditches, the ancient Churra pines stand up to twenty meters high. The stone pine specimens can be admired in the vicinity of the Church of the Virgen de la Encarnación and the Alcayna Tower.

Flora

Apart from the orchard landscape you can find native vegetation.

Mallow and vinagrillo usually appear on the terraces and sisca, elms, poplars and blackberries grow next to the irrigation ditches. All of these are characteristic plants of areas with a lot of water. We can also find quite a few specimens of stone pine, which is the most important natural species outside the influence of the water from the ditches. The pine nuts of these pine trees are consumed by the churros.

Fauna

The fauna that lives in the area is what can be found in any orchard environment. Birds such as hoopoe, greenfinches and blackbirds are the most common in the area, along with doves and pigeons, which find shelter among the ancient pines. We may also notice the presence of some owls that find shelter in the old houses of Churra, although they are more elusive than other birds. On spring and summer nights we will hear the repetitive sound of the owl. Next to the ditches you can also find numerous toads and frogs.

Economy, services and transportation

Like most of the districts surrounding Murcia, Churra's economy has been based on agriculture throughout its history. The most important products have historically been corn, legumes, peppers, oil and silk. The latter was the industrial pillar of the district's economy during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, currently there has been an important change towards the agriculture of fruit trees, especially citrus and peach trees.

In the last decades of the XX century, agriculture has lost a lot of importance, giving way to other sectors such as services, industry and construction. The installation of the Juver factory was very important for the district.

The economy of Churra has been modified in recent years as it has become an important service area thanks to the construction of the two largest shopping centers in the city, Thader and Nueva Condomina, where the new stadium is located. Real Murcia football.

Churra is connected to Murcia and the University through line 1 of the Murcia Tram and lines 44 and 50 of TMP Murcia, as well as with Molina de Segura through Movibus line 32B.

Current demographics

Since the 1980s, the population of Churra began to recover, reaching 3,411 inhabitants in 1996. It currently has more than 8,000 inhabitants. The population is concentrated in the urban center of Churra, in El Castellar, on the Senda de Granada and in Torre Alcayna. In the urban center, the inhabitants concentrate on the “Camino de Churra” to Cabezo de Torres and the Rambla de Churra.

Since 2001, the district has seen its built area and its inhabitants increase considerably with the creation of urbanizations such as La Ladera, or the new neighborhoods around Juan de Borbón Avenue, as part of the expansion of the city of Murcia outside the boundaries of his district to the north.

Neighborhood Associations

Churra has several neighborhood associations:

• Maximino Muñoz Jiménez is the president of the Association of neighbors of Rambla de Graso de Churra.
• In addition, there is a Churra Vecino Association.

Parties

The Churra calendar has numerous events, both religious and secular. The Virgin of the Incarnation is the patron saint of this orchard town and they dedicate their Patron Saint Festivities to her in the month of June, with a multitude of events and a spectacular Float Parade.

During Christmas it offers some of the best events in the municipality of Murcia. The peculiar Nativity scene installed in the Parish Hall and set in ancient places and traditions of the town stands out. One of the celebrations most loved by citizens is the Car of the Three Wise Men, whose antiquity dates back to the century. XVIII. Every afternoon on January 5, a spectacular Three Kings Parade parades. That same night, in the Plaza de la Iglesia, a play of medieval origin is witnessed in which the entire town participates: it is the famous Auto de Reyes de Churra. It is customary in Churra to celebrate the Candlemas Festival on the first Sunday in February, with a busy meal in the countryside.

During Holy Week, the Procession of Cristo del Consuelo is celebrated on Holy Thursday. Walk through the oldest and most traditional streets of the town. In May, the festival of San Isidro Labrador stands out. It is celebrated by taking out the image of the saint in a procession through the streets of the neighborhood of the same name.

Patron Saint Festivities in honor of the Virgin of the Incarnation

The festivities of the Incarnation are celebrated during the week following the first Sunday in June. They stand out for the celebration of numerous musical, sporting and cultural events, the most important moment of which is the Float Parade.

On June 11 in the afternoon, the Cuesta de Piñero de Churra becomes a mosaic of color, with the spectacular Parade of Floats, which reaches the door of the Church. The day concludes with a mass and an offering of flowers in honor of the Virgin of the Incarnation. The next day the Procession of the Virgin of the Incarnation takes place in the Churrera orchard.

Car of Kings

The Auto de los Reyes Magos is one of the most famous and oldest in the Region of Murcia, having been celebrated since the 18th century . The staging takes place outdoors and the actors are the residents of the town (Asociación del Auto de los Reyes Magos de Churra). It narrates the journey of the Three Wise Men following the star to Herod's Palace and how the demon wants the king to order the children born to be killed and the subsequent Adoration of the Three Wise Men.

Initially it was performed first thing on the morning of Epiphany on the Cuesta de Piñero. Currently, Three Kings' Eve is represented in the Plaza de la Iglesia and Three Kings' Day in Plaza Belluga, on the façade of the Murcia Cathedral.