Mula is situated to the northeast of the lovely Sierra Espuña Natural Park, 34km from the city of Murcia and easily reached by the autovia. The river of the same name forms a wide basin and large plots of land round the town are used for various crops. This area was inhabited by the Moors for many centuries and the castle of Mula which sits on a hilltop overlooking the town is a reminder of these times. The Moors fought hard to maintain their hold on the Kingdom of Murcia, and here in Mula, they were very determined.
The Spanish were equally determined to win back their lands and they besieged the castle. King Alfonso el Sabio sent a message to Alboazen Boely who had his troops stationed within the castle with an ultimatum
to surrender. The reply to this threat was, “You will win back the town
when the mule gives birth.” As mules are sterile, the implication was clear.
However on 23rd May 1243, King Alfonso and his men breached the defences and won back the castle, freed over 1,000 captive Christians and repossessed the castle and the town. He then returned to Toledo, leaving 80 knights to guard and keep order. These men were from Leon, Viscaya and Castilla and interestingly, their northern surnames are common in this area today.
The Plaza Mayor is the heart of the town and the Town Hall, called the Audencia del Marqués de los Vélez and built in the 16th Century is located there. The Baroque church of San Miguel with its slim Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) is also in the square and in the middle stands the monument to
the Tambourine Players, who, on the Tuesday of Easter Week can be heard in every corner of the town.
Other fiestas include Saint Isidoro during April, which features a procession through the orchards and allotments near the town. on the 22nd September every year a pilgrimage to the nearby hamlet of El Niño is held in honour of El Niño Jesus de Balate.
There are more historic buildings to be seen in Mula and these include:-
The Monastery of the "Encarnación", a majestic 17th Century building and within it the church treasures its chapel in honour of the Virgin and is proud of its beautiful renaissance tower. The Convent of the "Purísima" is a mixture of baroque and renaissance architecture and has lovely cloisters. The Patron Saint of Mula is the Virgen del Carmen and she is venerated in a hermitage of the same name.