Castle and Basilica-Sanctuary of the Holy Cross

They rise on the top of a high hill from which surpass the whole city. We can differentiate two main areas which complements each other to form the most visited monument of the city, since in it we can find the patroness of Caravaca: the Holy and True Cross. On the one hand, we can see the wallet enclosure of Islamic origins that withholds important testimonies of the medieval times of Caravaca and within said enclosure we find the Basilica and Sanctuary of the Holy Cross, work of the XVII century, with an impressive baroque front of the XVIII century, which can be included in the international Baroque.

The walled area, with remains of the XII century and structure of the XV century, has undergone many changes through the centuries and today it has 14 towers of different shapes and sizes, being the most ancient and traditionally Arabic built the so-called Torre Chacona, considered in the XV century the tribute tower of the fortress. The fort belonged to the Order of the Temple and later to the Order of Santiago, being used as a military fortress in different historical periods.

The Islamic tradition, gathered inside these walls, merges with the Christian tradition because the Basilica/Sanctuary of the Holy Cross was built inside in the XVII century, being the city history characterised by both traditions.

The temple, started in 1617 with the drawing of Carmelite Brother Alberto de la Madre de Dios, architect that worked mainly for the Duque of Lerma, and finished in 1703, date in which was opened with the moving of the Holy Sacrament. However, the building was fully finished in the late XVIII century, once given the finish touch of the red and black marble front. This building has three naves, with a transept not outstanding, tribune and a dome over the transept. Other rooms of the Basilica/Sanctuary are Capilla de la Cruz (the Chapel of the Cross), in which the Patroness of the city is kept and can be visited every day, Capilla de la Aparición (the Chapel of the Apparition), Capilla de los Conjuros (the Chapel of the Spells), Mirador de la Reina (the Viewpoint of the Queen), Torre Chacona (Chacona Tower) and Muslim Aljibe (cistern).

The museum of the Vera Cruz is located in this enclosure.

The aforementioned joint was declared National Asset of Cultural Interest in 1944.

Opening hours for the Castle Complex and the Basilica-Shrine:

Monday to Saturday: 8.00 am to 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm (Masses: 8.30 am and 12 noon)
Sundays and public holidays: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm (Masses: 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm)

Vera Cruz Museum Opening Hours: