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Date Published: 31/10/2024

Work continues on Murcia Old Jail to create cafe and exhibition rooms

The second and most ambitious phase of the renovations on the iconic Murcia landmark is set to begin next month

Murcia City Council has given the green light to the second phase of a major renovation project that will transform the city's Old Jail (Cárcel Vieja) into a vibrant hub of art, culture and leisure. The historic building, which has been out of use since 1980, is set to be reborn as a thriving community centre, complete with public areas, exhibition spaces and a cafeteria.

Set to begin in a month and with a budget of 3.7 million euros, the latest and most ambitious stage of the project will restore the internal section, creating public areas with several multipurpose rooms. The building will be restructured to replace the dark, dank cells designed to hold unfortunate prisoners with large, open spaces, perfect for a variety of activities.

Over the coming weeks and months, the surrounding area will also be transformed, with the removal of the perimeter wall and the old prison courtyards facing Calle Torre de la Marquesa, making way for new spaces for visitors to enjoy. The project is expected to take approximately 14 months to complete, and the result will be a thriving cultural centre that will put the old jail back on the tourist trail map.

As the large-scale renovations are ongoing, the City Council has been opening sections of the jail to the public as they are completed. Back in 2022, an exhibition on the history of the building was unveiled in June alongside an exhibit entitled 'Ethereal Walls' showcasing the architectural project which has made the renovation of the iconic landmark possible.

As the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Development and Heritage, Rebeca Pérez, explained, this is a "definitive push" to give the old prison a new purpose.

In other news: Murcia, Valencia and Alicante transport: Trains not running, roads closed

Image: Ayuntamiento de Murcia

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