The legend of Tomir in Caravaca de la Cruz

A sleeping giant protects the city of Caravaca against invaders!

The legend of the giant Tomir was first recounted by chronicler Manuel Guerrero Torres and tells the story of a colossus who, after the fall of the Titans, sought refuge in the land around Caravaca de la Cruz.

The tale runs that Tomir was remarkable not only for his sheer size and strength but also for his innate fairness and instinct to protect. He was strongly against the violence of the Romans and the Greeks and collaborated in resisting them with local people, valuing their knowledge and skills. He armed himself with a giant helmet and a huge club made with the strongest wood of Atlantis in order to protect their land against invaders and barbarians.

Eventually, he fell in love with a princess, who tricked him with false promises of love and convinced him to set sail for a distant land. During the voyage, Tomir did battle with fearsome sea monsters, and while he was away a group of invaders took control of the town he had sworn to protect.

Once he returned and realized how he had been betrayed, Tomir punished the princess and, with a mighty, deafening roar, destroyed the towers and defensive walls built by the invaders. Ever since then, the legend has it that Tomir has been sleeping under the land of Caravaca, waiting for the moment another enemy attempts to invade the city – his presence can be seen by the bulging mountains close to the city!

This seems to be a rather far-fetched tale, but the Town Hall takes it seriously enough to have incorporated the legend into the urban landscape with the creation of a new children’s play area in Parque Mayrena, between Camino del Huerto and the Fuentes del Marqués beauty spot (click for map).

Parque Mayrena is a new park in one of the most pleasant areas around the city centre and the intention, according to Mayor José Francisco García, is to make at a “living space” in which families can enjoy natural surroundings during their leisure time.

Tomir is present in a large metal structure adorning a walkway, apparently representing the landscape formed by the bulk of the giant lying beneath, and also in a zone of climbing nets called “La Malla del Coloso”. According to the legend, nets were used to capture Tomir after he had sailed away from Caravaca on his voyage.

There is also an information board explaining the legend.

Images: blog.turismoregiondemurcia.es, Ayto Caravaca

For more local news, events and visiting information contact the local tourist office (telephone 968 702424) or go to the home page of Caravaca Today.