Roldán, Torre Pacheco, Murcia , Spain

Roldán is a pedanía of the Torre Pacheco municipality, and is part of the geographical zone known commonly as the “Campo de Cartagena” or Cartagena countryside.

The pedanía also includes the village of Lo Ferro, renown throughout Spain for its annual flamenco festival, which draws competitors from across the country to win the prized, “Melón de Oro” , or the gold melon.

This allusion to melons is due to the volume of agricultural activity which takes place not only in this pedanía, but also throughout Torre Pacheco, melons being one of the principal crops, due to the warm climate.

Although there are traces of Roman occupation in the area, and some subsequent farming activity, the area only became noticeable as a village from the 16th century onwards, linked to agricultural activity, the major historical property in the area being the Casa Valderas, built for the Familia Melgarejo, who had been influential in the area from the date of the Reconquist in the 13th century. The modern history of the area has since been dictated by agriculture, although lack of water resources restricted population growth until the arrival of piped irrigation water enabled a considerable agricultural expansion to take place, providing employment in not only agricultural, but also associated, activities.

Today, residential tourism is an important addition to the local economy, the presence of the La Torre Golf resort, built by the Polaris World developers, bringing employment opportunities to the local community, servicing bars and restaurants and creating associated service industry jobs, servicing the needs of the thousands of foreign visitors who live on, or visit, the resort each year.

The two major fiestas associated with the pedanía of Roldán are the Fiestas patronales of San José which are celebrated around the 19th March and the Festival Nacional de Cante Flamenco Lo Ferro, which is held during the last week of August in Lo Ferro.

Where is Roldán?

Roldán is within the Torre Pacheco municipality, close to the borders with Murcia and Fuente Álamo. It is well connected to the main motorway network leading to Murcia and Cartagena, is very close to the new Corvera International Airport and less than a half hour drive from the existing San Javier airport.
Click for map, Roldán