BULLAS

The history of Bullas is inextricably linked to wine culture, a tradition dating back two millennia, as confirmed by archaeological findings such as the sculpture of the “Boy of the Grapes,” belonging to the Roman villa of Los Cantos.

Beyond its renowned Protected Designation of Origin, Bullas stands out for its natural richness, unique gastronomy, and distinctive people you won’t find anywhere else.

We invite you to discover Bullas, a territory of deep tradition, flavor, and vitality.

GET TO KNOW BULLAS

Bullas is a municipality with its own identity, shaped by wine. A winemaking legacy that defines its landscape and the character of its people.

This culture is experienced firsthand through the Bullas Wine Route, certified since 2007 as one of Spain’s Wine Routes. An itinerary that serves as a common thread to discover the municipality’s natural and cultural richness, touring vineyards and wineries and connecting each stop with its history and flavors.

And, beyond wine, Bullas is recognized for its festivals: unique celebrations and deeply rooted traditions that are lived here with authentic passion, year after year.

Heritage and ancient history

During the Roman era, Bullas’ territory had a notable presence, although a city as such never existed: the landscape was organized around villas and rural estates dedicated to agriculture. The most prominent was the Roman Villa of Los Cantos, where valuable findings, such as the sculpture of the Boy of the Grapes, representing the seasonal genius of autumn, were discovered.

After a less documented period, the Muslim domination promoted the construction of Bullas Castle between the 11th and 12th centuries, the origin of the current old town. By the 14th century, Bullas and its region passed into the hands of the Order of Santiago, under whose dominion they remained for more than five centuries. Political independence arrived in 1689, when King Charles II granted the privilege of villazgo (town status).

Today, part of that history is still present in monuments such as the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the imposing Clock Tower, and the D. Pepe Marsilla House Museum, among others.

Bullas boasts an extensive and vibrant festive calendar, where centuries-old celebrations coexist with more recent proposals that have already become tradition.

The Patron Saint Festivities, dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary, are held on the first Sunday in October and fill the week with must-see events such as the performance of the Tío de la Pita, Migas Night, the Diana (with flour and eggs), and the popular float parade. In spring comes the hugely popular San Marcos Festival, on the last weekend of April, a true celebration of rural life that culminates in the parade of dozens of traditional floats and the Blessing of the Fields in the La Rafa area.

Holy Week is also one of the municipality’s most widely attended celebrations: five brotherhoods take part in four processions, with the most moving and colourful moment on Easter Sunday, during the traditional Encounter in Plaza Vieja. And at the end of September, coinciding with the grape harvest, the Wine Festival (started in 2001) is held, with demonstrations, routes, concerts, food experiences, and the annual appointment of the Wine Master.

The calendar also makes room for magic: on St John’s Night (23–24 June), “walnut wine” is made and the legend of the Moorish woman of Castellar is reenacted, as she descends from this mythical hill to the Salto del Usero. And in the hamlet of La Copa, deeply rooted traditions are kept alive, such as San Antón in January (tasting pork products, an auction, and the “bidding dance”) and the Immaculate Conception in December, with the auroros’ procession.

Our traditions and festivals

Patron saint, Virgin of the Rosary, Bullas

El Zacatín Market

El Zacatín Traditional Products Market is a fundamental tourist attraction and a benchmark in Bullas. It is the pioneering market of its kind in the Region of Murcia and the only one that maintains its activity throughout the year.

It is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, in the picturesque setting of Plaza Vieja and Plaza del Castillo, in the old town. Anyone can enjoy the display and sale of a wide range of typical local products and crafts.

El Zacatín is a lively cultural experience, as each edition includes parallel activities such as craft demonstrations of traditional trades, product making and tastings, street entertainment, and guided visits to old wineries.

The wine culture in Bullas is a millennial heritage that, over time, has shaped the landscape, heritage, and social life of the municipality.

Its roots go back to Roman times, as shown by finds such as sculptures of children representing the seasons of the year, including the Grape Boy. And that history is still visible today: in the town centre alone, more than 200 traditional wineries are preserved, in whole or in part, most of them built between the 18th and 19th centuries.

This tradition is strengthened by the Bullas Protected Designation of Origin, granted in 1994, which guarantees the quality and personality of its wines. Furthermore, the D.O.P. extends to several municipalities in the region, making viticulture a bond that unites and identifies us.

And in 2007, the Bullas Wine Route was created, which is one of the 37 wine routes in Spain integrated into the Spanish Wine Routes Product Club.

Bullas Wine Route and the Wine Culture in the Town

Nature and unique landscapes

Bullas brings together a surprising variety of climatic, geological, and botanical nuances, largely thanks to a marked and changing orography. The landscape is defined by the contrast between hills like Garci Sánchez and El Castellar, which reach almost 1,000 meters, and the intramontane depressions where a mosaic of traditional dryland crops is drawn: vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees.

Within this natural heritage, the great jewel is Salto del Usero, a picturesque spot in the upper stretch of the Mula River. Cataloged as a Place of Geological Interest, it stands out for its unique natural arch: the water cascades down and forms a deep pool, especially popular in summer.

The rest of the natural environments can be enjoyed through the trails included in the Bullas Short-Distance Trail Network, approved by the Mountaineering Federation of the Region of Murcia.