Beniaján

Beniaján
Seal
Beniaján Location in Spain
Coordinates: 37°59′N 1°04′W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Region of Murcia
Province	Murcia
Comarca	Huerta de Murcia
Government
• Mayor	Francisco Hernández Quereda
Area
• Total	13.924 km2 (5.376 sq mi)
Population  (2010)
• Total	11,233
• Density	810/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Demonym	Beniajanenses
Time zone	UTC 1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC 2 (CEST)
Website	Official website

Beniaján is a village located in the Region of Murcia (Spain), beside the mountains that close the Valley of Segura. It has a population of around 11,000, and is not far from the region's capital, Murcia.

Beniaján is known for the abundant production of citrus fruits that its factories export around the world; this is the most important economic activity in this city.

The town was founded during Roman times. Since before the 18th century, the Virgen del Carmen has been the Patrona (patron saint) of Beniaján. A statue is carried in procession annually in celebration of her feast day.

Main sights

• San Juan Bautista's church and Patrona's Chapel (17th-20th centuries)
• Villanueva's church, Virgin of Azahar
• Mirador de San Antón (viewing point)
• Puntarrón Chico, a rocky spur commanding the city, home to an Argaric archaeological site
• Parque Regional de El Valle y Carrascoy (mountains and natural spaces with special protection)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 18th-century statue

Festivals

These are the main festivities of the town:

• San Antón, 17 January
• Carnival
• Easter
• Virgin of Azahar, 1 May
• Virgen del Carmen, Patrona (patron saint) of Beniaján, 16 July

See also

• El Argar

External links

• Beniaján - Portal Ayuntamiento de Murcia(in Spanish)
• Beniaján - Región de Murcia Digital (in Spanish)