Tucked away in the north-west of Murcia in the land of castles, templar traditions, popular fiestas, appreciated wines and rich cuisine, you will find the Hotel Cenajo.
Lying in the mountains north of Moratalla, bordering the townships of Hellin and Isso, it is a perfect spot to seek refuge. The hotel has a fresh, calm atmosphere were everything in comfortably prepared for your wellbeing. The area is rich in archaeology and traditional agriculture, where the green mountains and valleys are enriched by the traces of legends and traditions, where the loudest sounds you will hear are bird songs and the breeze through the pine forest.
The Cenajo area dates from prehistoric times largely due to the presence of
water and the fertile countryside which was advantageous to the settlers
when hunting was plentiful. It is almost certain that there was a Neolithic
presence born out by the 150 plus cave areas in the Moratalla district
containing rock art particularly the less common PETROGLIFOS of the CENAJO
which date from the Bronze Age (the location of these petroglifos are kept
secret for their protection). In the summer of 2006 it is intended in the
township of Moratalla to inaugurate a Center of Interpretation of the Rock
Art.
To show examples of these diverse cultures it is necessary to emphasize the deposit of the Tolmo de Minateda, (33 km from Cenajo, near Hellín). It was occupied in the Bronze Age (around 1500 BC) and in Islamic times (10th Century AD). The city took the name of llunum in Roman times and Eio or Elo by the Visigoths, whereas the Arabs knew it as Madînat Yyih. In the year 1307, the Templars were arrested and killed in all Europe due to the greed of Philip IV King of France and the Pope Clement V, who wanted to have their Treasures, and was in Murcia where they resisted 10 years more. The castles of Caravaca de la Cruz, Bullas and Cehegín are a stark reminder against the outrage.
In the beginning of the 19th century an important industry opened up.
Sulphur and coal mining began in the Cenajo area and continued until the
mid-20th century. The smelting furnaces are still in a good state of
conservation and well worth a visit. They can be found on the left side of
the river alongside as a number of "troglodyte" houses (cave houses cut into
the rock.) The preliminary plan for building the dam at Cenajo was worked
out in 1,928 due the catastrophic floods that took place regularly, but it
was not finished till 1.963. In this year Franco came to inaugurate the dam
and slept in the building that today is the Hotel Cenajo.
With large open spaces all around the hotel you soon feel at one with nature and in the surrounding pine forest and mountains there is an abundance of wild life including peregrine falcons, golden eagles, sparrow hawks, wild goats, wild boar, foxes, otters, tortoises, squirrels, quail and pheasant. With such a range of wild life, quite naturally the whole area is protected. Medium and short distance walks, alongside the river Segura at the foot of the dam, onto the neighbouring mountain to visit the huge cross, or visit the fish farm.
The hotel offers a wide range of sport and leisure activities, such as
tennis, squash court, gymnasium, indoor heated pool and saunas, billiards,
table tennis, children's play park, board and card games, and mountain bikes
all free for the guests.
The Hotel has an Special Offer Free Accommodation from Sunday to Thursday till 14th December and again on 11th February till 29th March (not included bank-holidays), To claim this free accommodation all you need to do is mention the ThisIsSpain website. So why not enjoy a few days of peace and quiet in he wonderful surroundings of Cenajo?
As a guest said: "If you are looking for heaven, I have found it here". For reservations ring 968 721011 or e-mail info@hotelcenajo.com
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