CARAVACA

caravaca, a town of south-eastern spain, in the province of murcia; near the left bank of the river caravaca, a tributary of the segura. pop. (1900) 15,846. caravaca is dominated by the medieval castle of santa cruz, and contains several convents and a fine parish church, with a miraculous cross celebrated for its healing power, in honour of which a yearly festival is held on the 3rd of may. the hills which extend to the north are rich in marble and iron. despite the lack of railway communication, the town is a considerable industrial centre, with large iron-works, tanneries and manufactories of paper, chocolate and oil.