This lush orchard valley in the heart of Murcia includes the villages of Abarán, Archena, Blanca, Cieza, Ojós, Ricote, Ulea and Villanueva del Segura. Ricote is the modern name of the Arabic fortress Rikut, which was the last Moorish settlement in Mediterranean Spain. The thermal springs at Archena were discovered by the Iberians and first exploited as thermal baths by the Romans, who named the town Arxilaxis.

Cultural Attractions

• Arabic Waterwheels (norias) (Abarán)
• Church of St Bartholomew and Holy Cross of Ulea (Ulea)
• Fiesta del Polvorín (1st September)

Interesting facts

• Archena belonged to the order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (the Knights of Malta) until the 19th century
• The town of Blanca (meaning White) was originally called Negra (meaning Black)