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The Bishop of Cartagena, Mons. José Manuel Lorca Planes, and the dean of the Cathedral, Juan Tudela, presented this morning the plan of action in religious and cultural tourism launched by the Cabildo under the name "Know to preserve", a program, with three lines of action, which aims to bring the religious, artistic, cultural, architectural and historical heritage of the cathedral complex to the public in an original, surprising and interactive way.

"Knowing the heritage" is the first line of action of this program of musealization of the Cathedral. The visit will begin by entering through the door of San José (the one on the right of the main facade of the Cathedral of Santa María de Murcia), there you can request an audio-video-guide, of the latest generation, which will allow visitors to know and understand the value of the religious, artistic, cultural, architectural and historical heritage of the cathedral complex (Cathedral and Museum), thanks to the story and images that reveal its most relevant details.This general ticket will cost 5 euros and has several reduced prices for people over 65, school groups, families and children.The residents of the Region of Murcia will have free access and will only have to pay 2 euros if they request an audio-video-guide, visitors will find 27 informative points along the itinerary that runs through the Cathedral and the Museum, which includes

also a stop in the center of the Plaza del Cardenal Belluga to expose the details of the Tower.

Similarly, visitors may request a guided tour of the Tower - as it was being done so far - at the price of 5 euros, also with reduced prices for some groups.

Residents in the Region of Murcia will find a reduction in this price from now on.

As explained by the CEO of DNA Tourism and Leisure, Francisco Javier Castillo, the musealization project also aims to "meet visitors" to improve management, order visit flows and provide information to the Tourist Observatory of the Murcia region.

The last line of action, "Becoming known", aims to disseminate both the activities of the cult and the heritage to encourage the visit of different audiences.

In addition, a new web page (cathedralmurcia.com) has been created that will be operational next Tuesday, the day on which visits to the Cathedral will begin.

Users can find on the web information about the Cathedral and its heritage;

the schedules of masses and confessions;

and the rates for visits.

"It's about everyone knowing better this treasure that is the Cathedral and, at the same time, having tools that allow us to preserve the heritage of all Murcia," said Bishop Lorca Planes.

Visits will not affect the cult

The dean of the Cathedral recalled that the first purpose of the Cathedral is "worship, liturgy, prayer, silence, meeting God, celebrating the sacraments, pastoral activity and welcoming of people."

For this reason, the visits will not affect the cult that takes place in the cathedral temple.

So, from 7:00 to 10:00 hours, the faithful will be able to access the Cathedral through any of its doors and the celebrations of 7:15, 8:30 and 9:00 will continue to be held at the Chapel of Los Vélez.

At 10:00 hours, the faithful who attend the celebrations or pray will have to enter the Cathedral through the door of San Juan Bautista (the one on the left of the main facade), since the masses of 10:00 and 12:00 hours will be held in the Baptistery Chapel (the first entering through the door of San Juan Bautista).

Several confessionals have been placed next to this chapel for people who want to confess.

At 5:00 p.m., the visits will end, so all the access doors to the temple will be opened again and the 7:30 p.m. Mass will be held in the Velez Chapel.

Masses on Sundays and holidays keep their schedule and will continue to be performed at the main altar.

“This will allow us to win in silence, in order, so that people can enjoy the Cathedral, making both things compatible.

The schedule of worship is not altered, the main purpose of the Cathedral is not altered, which is the liturgy and all its pastoral activity and both are compatible, �explains Tudela.

The Dean has also pointed out that this project will not affect the stay of the Virgin of Fuensanta either twice a year that goes down to the Cathedral, nor the weddings and baptisms that are held on weekends.

Source: Obispado de Cartagena