The Plaza de España, the main square in the centre of Bullas

The Plaza de España in Bullas has changed its name frequently over the last 200 years

The Plaza de España is one of the focal points of activity in the wine-making municipality of Bullas in the north-west of the Region of Murcia, and is home to various of the most important and impressive buildings in the town.

These include the Town Hall, the parish church dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Rosario and the palatial Casa de los Melgares, which has now been renovated and houses the Casa de Cultura and the Bullas auditorium.

Anyone exploring the older quarter of Bullas is bound to be drawn to this central location, and it is a must-see item on any walk around the picturesque narrow streets in the higher part of the town and through the main shopping streets of this district. Visitors are also frequently drawn to the nearby Plaza Vieja and the Plaza del Castillo, where the popular Zacatín arts and crafts market is held on the first Sunday morning of every month.

The plaza is also used for a number of cultural activities throughout the year and is, essentially, the heart of the town.

The history of this square is an interesting one: it was first created in the early 19^th century following the constitutionalization of the Spanish monarchy, and was given the name of “Plaza Constitucional de Isabel II”, but this name was to change various times, reflecting the turbulence of the period in Spain.

After Isabel II was removed from the throne by the revolution of 1868 it became the “Plaza de la Libertad”, and returned to being the “Plaza Constitucional” after the restoration. It has since been named the “Plaza de Perea”, “Plaza de la República”, “Plaza del Generalísimo”, and finally (for the time being at least!) the Plaza de España!

For more local news, events and other information go to the Bullas section of Murcia Today.