History of San Esteban de Mendigo

The History of San Esteban de Mendigo (Page 36)

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San Estaban de Mendigo is the area surrounding the 5 Star Golf and Sports Resort “ Mosa Trajectum” and it is rich in heritage and history.

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The first notion we have of Murcia and its surrounding areas is that it was founded by the Caliph of Cordoba Abderraman 11 in 825. At least this is what the ancient chronicles and stories about Murcia tell us.

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Apparently the name BANOS Y MENDIGO was originally known as BANOS since that is how it appears on al the ancient maps. Abderraman and his Arabian successors used BANOS as the location of several important Arabian Baths over a long period that runs from the year 825 until December 22nd 1248 (a period when Murcia defended itself from the Christian invasion led by the future Alfonso “ El Sabio”).

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Afterwards the name of Banos was replaced by LOS BANOS, a name found on maps created during the Middle Ages. The country house of “ SAN ESTEBAN DE MENDIGO” belongs to the district of BANOS Y MENDIGO, and is located only 12 Km. From the city.

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A legend handed down for generations, tells the tale that in the Middle Ages a pilgrim (just like those pilgrims from all over Europe who performed “EL Camino de Santiago) arrived in the country house. He lived there for some time in a cave that no longer exists. The pilgrim was a very poor person, and managed to get by only thanks to the kindness he received from local people.

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He sheltered himself in the cave and dedicated himself to San Esteban always keeping images and medallions of the Saint close to him. One day the beggar, considered a saint, disappeared without trace.

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This legend is the basis of the current name of the area “San Esteban de Mendigo” (“mendigo” means beggar, since this pilgrim was a real beggar).

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It is also thought that the family that owns the country house moved to this place for the first time around the centuries XV11/X1X (it is impossible to establish the exact date). They first built the main house for themselves and then some smaller houses for the farm workers who worked under them. These arm workers created a sort of extended family with their stables, granaries and adjoining buildings, dedicated to the cultivation of the land and cattle grazing.

The history of San Esteban de Mendigo (Page 38)

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It is said that one day, the penultimate Friday of September (some time during the 19th century), a very strange phenomenon took place. As strange as it may sound there was an intense snowfall. On that day the landlords of “San Esteban de Mendigo” decided to build a chapel in “bAnos y Mendigo”. They crowned the place with an effigy of the Virgin Mary, naming the chapel the “Virgin of the Snow”. Since time immemorial every Friday of the penultimate week of September, a religious pilgrimage has been celebrated. The entire village, including people from the surrounding areas, came to attend this event. Thus on the flat area in front of the landlords’ country house the “Virgin of Rosario” heads a procession, with the “virgin of the Snow” also proudly on display. Hundreds of people then offer their prayers in an open-air Mass. The chapel is open for worship, and numerous commemorative events and family weddings of members and friends have taken place since.

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Nowadays this country house has been turned into a luxurious parador here you can enjoy the delicious food prepared in the local tradition; you can also sleep in the charming rooms built according to the original design. This parador now forms part of the central plaza at the 5 Star Golf and Sports Resort Mosa Trajectum