Santomera -
Santomera is situated on the N-340 where the independent communities of Valencia and Murcia both finish and begin. It is said that you arrive more by a sense of smell than a visual sense as there is a magnificent landscape of orange and lemon trees and the wonderful smell that these blossoms produce.
The town is known as 'The Limonar of Europe' because the quality of lemons that are grown there are par excellence and they are exported both far and wide. Santomera recognises that it is not merely the growing of the fruit that supports the economy, but also the packers, the truck drivers and the necessary administrative staff, and by employing so many local people, they like to boast that they have zero unemployment.
The very name of the town is shrouded in mystery as the origins of the name Santomera are still somewhat obscure, with theories put forward by many people, but there is no documentation that exists which can define the name conclusively. Some think that the area's name of Sant has been added to the word Omera, which is of older origin and could relate to the foundation of the town by the Omar who inhabited Murcia during medieval times. Another theory is that it is from the Greek 'Omero', meaning the site of a convention. However the most likely would seem to be that the name derived from some of the earliest settlers who arrived from France and Belgium and that the name for cultural or religious reasons was actually derived from the original Saint Omer.
Although the town has a history going back to the earliest centuries, including its development as a mining town, it was not until 1272, following the conquest of Murcia by King Sabio in 1243, that Santomera is first mentioned in official documents. Following this, there were various wars and conquests over 3 centuries and the real shape and character of Santomera did not start to take place until the mid 1500's. Two things happened between 1548 and 1558 which formed the basis of the town's future stability. One was the irrigation of the land and the other was the invitation to aristocrats, landowners and monks to aquire land in the area, which provided the impetus for the early development of the present town.
Following this, in the 15th century there was a resurgence of the mining activity, mainly copper, that had been operated many centuries beforehand. This inevitably led to an increase in the population of Santomera and brought with it the wealth that was so needed.
Santomera has had to deal with many hardships and difficulties to bring it the lively town that it is now. Not least of these was the great floods, which had such devastating effects, with the worst taking place in September 1878, when so many lives were lost that it was declared a day of mourning, not just in Santomera but throughout Spain and Europe. It is odd that one constant throughout the history of this and many other villages should be the one thing that caused such devastation, the River Segura. The last great flood took place in 1947 and after that plans were made, and in 1960 dams and channels were completed to take the force of the water, but damage to the town had been great.
Another hurdle which the previous generations had to overcome was the question of independence. Joining with its near neighbours Siscar and Matanza, Santomera sought independence in 1971, but their request was refused by the City Council of Murcia. Such was the indignation and malaise of the people following this refusal, that they appealed to the Minister of the Interior and after many proposals and counter proposals, Santomera finally gained its independence on the 29th September 1978.
Now when you walk through the town there are signs of prosperity and pride, the streets and shops are busy, though there are still wonderful building of the past to see, quiet squares to sit and watch the world go by and plenty of restaurants to enjoy a delicious meal.
Well worth a vist is the Casa Grande, a beautiful elegant house, a former palace built in the 19th century in pure Italian Neo-Renaissance style, today it is used as the Cultural Centre, the Parochial Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Dominican Convent and the water mill at nearby Siscar.
A visit to this delightful town will not be disappointing and you do get a sense of the pride the local people have in their independence.
Santomera is located on the N-340 between Murcia and Orihuela.
Santomera Map
Do you have property that you would like to sell or rent in the Santomera area? Why not advertise with us? - For more details follow this link:- Advertise Santomera Property or e-mail Steve to ask for more information:- needahandspanishproperties@yahoo.co.uk
Santomera is situated on the N-340 where the independent communities of Valencia and Murcia both finish and begin. It is said that you arrive more by a sense of smell than a visual sense as there is a magnificent landscape of orange and lemon trees and the wonderful smell that these blossoms produce.
The town is known as 'The Limonar of Europe' because the quality of lemons that are grown there are par excellence and they are exported both far and wide. Santomera recognises that it is not merely the growing of the fruit that supports the economy, but also the packers, the truck drivers and the necessary administrative staff, and by employing so many local people, they like to boast that they have zero unemployment.
The very name of the town is shrouded in mystery as the origins of the name Santomera are still somewhat obscure, with theories put forward by many people, but there is no documentation that exists which can define the name conclusively. Some think that the area's name of Sant has been added to the word Omera, which is of older origin and could relate to the foundation of the town by the Omar who inhabited Murcia during medieval times. Another theory is that it is from the Greek 'Omero', meaning the site of a convention. However the most likely would seem to be that the name derived from some of the earliest settlers who arrived from France and Belgium and that the name for cultural or religious reasons was actually derived from the original Saint Omer.
Although the town has a history going back to the earliest centuries, including its development as a mining town, it was not until 1272, following the conquest of Murcia by King Sabio in 1243, that Santomera is first mentioned in official documents. Following this, there were various wars and conquests over 3 centuries and the real shape and character of Santomera did not start to take place until the mid 1500's. Two things happened between 1548 and 1558 which formed the basis of the town's future stability. One was the irrigation of the land and the other was the invitation to aristocrats, landowners and monks to aquire land in the area, which provided the impetus for the early development of the present town.
Following this, in the 15th century there was a resurgence of the mining activity, mainly copper, that had been operated many centuries beforehand. This inevitably led to an increase in the population of Santomera and brought with it the wealth that was so needed.
Santomera has had to deal with many hardships and difficulties to bring it the lively town that it is now. Not least of these was the great floods, which had such devastating effects, with the worst taking place in September 1878, when so many lives were lost that it was declared a day of mourning, not just in Santomera but throughout Spain and Europe. It is odd that one constant throughout the history of this and many other villages should be the one thing that caused such devastation, the River Segura. The last great flood took place in 1947 and after that plans were made, and in 1960 dams and channels were completed to take the force of the water, but damage to the town had been great.
Another hurdle which the previous generations had to overcome was the question of independence. Joining with its near neighbours Siscar and Matanza, Santomera sought independence in 1971, but their request was refused by the City Council of Murcia. Such was the indignation and malaise of the people following this refusal, that they appealed to the Minister of the Interior and after many proposals and counter proposals, Santomera finally gained its independence on the 29th September 1978.
Now when you walk through the town there are signs of prosperity and pride, the streets and shops are busy, though there are still wonderful building of the past to see, quiet squares to sit and watch the world go by and plenty of restaurants to enjoy a delicious meal.
Well worth a vist is the Casa Grande, a beautiful elegant house, a former palace built in the 19th century in pure Italian Neo-Renaissance style, today it is used as the Cultural Centre, the Parochial Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Dominican Convent and the water mill at nearby Siscar.
A visit to this delightful town will not be disappointing and you do get a sense of the pride the local people have in their independence.
Santomera is located on the N-340 between Murcia and Orihuela.
Santomera Map
Do you have property that you would like to sell or rent in the Santomera area? Why not advertise with us? - For more details follow this link:- Advertise Santomera Property or e-mail Steve to ask for more information:- needahandspanishproperties@yahoo.co.uk
Santomera
Places to Visit - Santomera
Santomera
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