How to visit the Real Casino of Murcia: history, schedules, prices

Before traveling to Murcia city with the purpose of living the environment of the eastern with its unique processions of the Coloraos and the Salzillo, I already knew that the most notable places to visit were its great cathedral…and the casino.

Was the first time visiting Murcia, and knowing the splendid building of the Casino for the Alcala street en Madrid, I was not surprised that in said Levantine city there could be a building of special interest.

Being of very different characteristics from the aforementioned Madrid, and as a reference of the interest that it actually has, I tell you that the Murcia Casino It has become the most visited civil building in said autonomous region.

I also tell you that it is a cultural casino, not from a gambling establishment.

Therefore, it is a meeting point for gatherings and cultural activities developed by its more than 1.500 members, as well as a place to celebration of events in the city.

Curiosities history of Real Casino de Murcia

The building of the Royal Casino of Murcia Construction began in 1847, and is actually the result of the successive purchase and accession of several adjoining buildings.

With an eclectic architecture, the different rooms and corners of the Murcia Casino They show very different styles.

Located the main entrance in the center Trapería street, very close to the Murcia cathedral, its façade was built in 1902 by the Murcian architect Pedro Cerdán Martínez, author of other notable buildings in the city such as the Veronicas Market.

With a voluptuous decoration reminiscent of modernism, on both sides of the door you will see two large windows that show two interior rooms known as the fish tanks.

That's where the casino members sit to watch the busy Trapería street…and to be seen.

The building where the casino began to be installed was the palace of the Marquis del Vado, whose access gives to the Lucas Street, and where another door remains.

What to see when visiting the Casino del Murcia

After climbing the stairs that separate the two Fish tanks, you will reach perhaps its most splendid room, the Arabic courtyard inspired by the Alhambra of Granada, and whose walls are covered with more than 35.000 gold sheets.

With a starry vault made of iron and colored glass, as a curiosity I will tell you that on its walls an inscription in Arabic is repeated that says “Nothing greater than Allah”.

In this reception room there is a ticket office, because although it is a private institution, currently the Murcia Casino is open to public visit, leaving the second floor reserved for the private use of the members.

In the highly recommended visit to the Murcia Casino, from the Arabic courtyard you access the Central Gallery, which is arranged with a long glass vault and is covered on the floor and walls by marbles of Macael.

This gallery serves as a meeting point for the different rooms that you can see, all with a different architectural style.

The largest and most splendid dependence on murcian casino is Dance room, which is accessed through the little congress, a meeting corner for clubs whose decoration highlights wood and silk.

In French-inspired baroque style, the aforementioned Dance room It was built in 1875, and since then it has become the great hall for numerous festivals of Murcian society.

In its decoration, the paintings on the ceiling will catch your attention, with allegories of the arts and exotic landscapes, and, above all, the five huge gilded bronze and crystal lamps de Baccarat coming from Paris.

As an anecdote, it is said that, originally, they were manufactured to be sent to the emperor's palace. Maximilian I of Mexico, but after being deposed and shot, the lamps were finally bought by the society of the Murcia Casino.

You will be surprised that they are located very low, which is understandable when you know that they were initially used to support candles, and it was after their arrival in Murcia that electricity finally arrived and light bulbs were installed.

Other notable corners are the Pompeian courtyard, neoclassical style and where some sculptures are displayed.

At Hall of Arms You will be struck by its numerous mirrors, which is because it was once the fencing room of the casino.

El Powder room It is another corner with great decoration in which the profusion of mirrors and silk curtains stand out.

Of course in the Murcia Casino You can also see another room dedicated to a library.

Made in 1913, it is a English Library, which has an upper wooden tribune supported by iron in the curious shape of pelicans, and in which up to 20.000 volumes from between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries are preserved.

The most recent renovation of the Murcia Casino It was completed in 2009, the year in which the King Juan Carlos I awarded him the title of Real.

Murcia Casino visit schedules

The Murcia Casino visiting hours They are every day of the week, from Monday to Sunday, from 10,30:19 a.m. to 10,30 p.m., and in the month of August from 14,30:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., and is closed to visitors on Sundays and holidays.

The Murcia Casino ticket prices They are, generally, 5 euros; and the reduced price for students, retirees and the unemployed, 3 euros.

The ticket includes a audioguide which allows you to continue the visit, and on Sundays, from 19 to 21 p.m., you can visit the Murcia Casino for free.