kids encyclopedia robot

Cieza, Murcia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Cieza
Hermitage of the Saint Christ of Consolation.
Hermitage of the Saint Christ of Consolation.
Flag of Cieza
Flag
Coat of arms of Cieza
Coat of arms
Location in Murcia
Location in Murcia
Cieza is located in Murcia
Cieza
Cieza
Location in Murcia
Cieza is located in Spain
Cieza
Cieza
Location in Spain
Country  Spain
Community  Murcia
Province  Murcia
Area
 • Total 365.1 km2 (141.0 sq mi)
Elevation
188 m (617 ft)
Population
 (2018)
 • Total 34,889
 • Density 95.560/km2 (247.50/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Ciezanos
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
30530

Cieza is a town and municipality in Spain. It is located in the Murcia region. Cieza is the main town of the Vega Alta comarca. A comarca is an old type of local area. In 2018, about 34,889 people lived there. The Segura River flows right through the town.

Cieza's economy mainly relies on agriculture. Farmers grow lots of peaches and olives. But industry is also important, with about 4,000 people working in factories. Jobs in the public sector, transport, and tourism also help the local economy.

Discovering Cieza's History

Cieza has been home to people for a very long time. Scientists have found signs of people living here since the Paleolithic Age. This was a time when early humans used stone tools.

Ancient Discoveries

You can find archaeological sites in areas like Almadenes and La Serreta. These are places where experts dig up old objects. They help us learn about the past.

Early Settlements

People from different ancient groups lived here. There are remains from the Iberians, who were an ancient people of Spain. You can also find signs of Romans, Visigoths, and Arabic people.

Medina Siyâsa: An Arab City

The Arabs lived in Cieza from the 11th to 13th centuries. They called the area Medina Siyâsa. They built a strong fortress on a mountain. At the Medina Siyâsa dig site, many beautiful things have been found. These include carved arches and porticos. Colorful ceramics, glass, and metals were also discovered. All these amazing finds are kept safe in the Siyâsa Museum.

Important Buildings and Art

Cieza has many interesting places to visit.

Religious Buildings

The Ermita de la Virgen del Buen Suceso is a small church or "hermitage". It is in an area called Collado de la Atalaya. The main church in Cieza is the Basílica de la Asunción. It was built in the 18th century. Inside, you can see beautiful sculptures and decorated panels called retablos. These were made by famous artists like Rafael Ximeno y Planes.

The Iglesia de San Joaquín dates back to the 17th century. It used to be a monastery for Franciscans. These are members of a religious group. Another important building is the church-monastery of the Order of Poor Ladies (Clarisas). This one is from the 18th century.

City Landmarks

The Plaza de España is a main square in the city center. The modern market building was built in 1929. It was designed by Julio Carrilero. "El Paseo" (The Walkway) is a special place. It has artwork made of glazed tiles by José Lucas. These tiles show different famous writers from Spain. "El Muro" (The Wall) was built in the 19th century. It stands where an old medieval wall used to be.

What Cieza Offers

Cieza has many facilities for its residents and visitors.

Sports and Entertainment

There are several swimming pools, including one that is covered and heated. You can also find basketball and tennis courts. Cieza has two football fields and an athletics track. There are also many gyms for staying active. For entertainment, Cieza has several theaters. Some of them also show movies. These include the Auditorio Aurelio Guirao and Teatro Capitol.

Learning and Health

Cieza has two secondary schools and seven primary schools. There is also a music college and a special education school. Many nursery schools are available for younger children. The town has two Catholic schools and two schools run by private companies. These private schools get money from the regional government.

For health care, Cieza has a public hospital. This hospital helps people from Cieza and nearby towns. There are also two public clinics and some private ones.

Local Government and Museums

Cieza is the main town for a "judicial district". This means it has courts where legal cases are handled. The town also has several museums and art galleries. The Casa Efe Serrano is a well-known art gallery. The most popular museum is the Medina Siyasa Museum. It displays objects that tell the story of Cieza's history.

Cieza's Economy

About one-third of the land in Cieza is used for growing crops. The most common crop grown here is the apricot.

Fun Celebrations

Cieza is famous for its special events and festivals.

Main Festivals

The Holy Week celebrations are the most important festivals. These are big processions that happen during Easter week. They are so important that they are called Fiestas of National Tourist Interest. This means they are recognized as major national festivals. The Saint Bartholomew fiestas are also very important. Another popular festival is the Moros y cristianos. This festival re-enacts historical battles between Moors and Christians.

Towns Cieza is Connected To

Cieza has special connections with two other towns:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cieza para niños

kids search engine
Cieza, Murcia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.