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Heritage
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church
![Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Church - [Click to enlarge]](img/iglesia_gd.jpg)
It is a National Monument since February 1982 and it is located in the central square of Bullas (Plaza de España). Its construction began at the end of the 17th century and its first phase was ended in 1723. The tower (baroque), the side naves and the sacristy (neoclassic) were finished in 1803, after the needed enlargement and reformation works. The Tabernacle Chapel, in Neo-Gothic style, dates from 1905.
Most of the temple's furnishings disappeared or were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, although the parish archives (with documents dated back to the 17 th century), several images (like that of Saint John which dates from 1925 and belongs to the Salzillo's School) could be saved. The new image of the Patron Our Lady of the Rosary that dominates the main altar arrived to Bullas in the early 40's and the beautiful golden wood altarpiece was made with the help of the people's funds in 1949.
Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower)
The Clock Tower is also called Tower of Santiago (Saint James' Tower) and it was built in 1900 in one of the highest points of Bullas. Since the Town Council did not have enough funds to repair the public clock, the construction of this tower was a private initiative of the Mayor of Bullas Joaquín Carreño Góngora, who wanted to cover the need of regulating the irrigation time in the near orchards (he was the main landowner in the town). The tower was inaugurated on the 25 th of July, Saint James' Day, so the tower and the street in which it was situated were named after the saint.
The clock was assembled in Switzerland and Moisés Díaz from Palencia was commisioned for its installation. The owner Joaquín Carreño donated the building to the Municipality in 1916.
Together with the church's tower, this one gives to Bullas its characteristic outline.
Culture House (Melgares House)
This noble house was built in 1925 on the site of an ancient inn. It belonged to one of the richest and most powerful families of Bullas, the Melgares. It was the see of several unions and parties during the Spanish Civil War and also the Amor de Dios religious school between 1954 and 1981. Then the building was acquired by the Municipality to locate there the Youth House (later named Culture House). It is an Art Nouveau noble house, with some interesting elements typical of the Arabic style and also a beautiful balustrade. The Public Library and the Municipality's Historical Archives are situated in this building, too.
Castle's remains
There are very few preserved remains of the ancient Castle of Bullas. Only part of a tower and several big projecting stones can be seen in Peseta Street . The houses situated under the old fortress still keep some parts of the old wall as big stones located underground.
Plaza Vieja (Old Square)
Although commonly known as Old Square, it is officially named 'Teniente Flomesta', after a local hero of the Morocco Wars in the 1920's. It is one of the town's original areas. We can highlight its well known arch, traditionally supposed to be the main entrance of the ancient castle of Bullas. The colourful façades create an unsurpassable environment where two much important events take place: the 'Encuentro' (Meeting) of Easter Morning and the street market 'El Zacatín' every month.
Carreño House
This building belonging to one of the local landowner families (the Carreños) is located in Tercia Street. It was built in the first third of the 20th century and it is specially noted by some elements in its façade, such as the grilles that remind those from Castile in the 16th century.
Blas Marsilla's House
Another house belonging to the traditional powerful families of Bullas (the Marsilla – Melgares) is located behind the parish church. It was reformed in 1900 by Don José Marsilla, commonly known as 'Don Pepe' and it was inherited after his death by his son Don. Blas Rafael, being the house still named after him. With a simple look, the building is divided into two parts, a noble one (living area of the owners) and another one dedicated to the different works and also for the servants living. It has a big wine cellar, perfectly preserved. The decoration of the main rooms of the noble part is in the Art Nouveau style. This building holds now an ethnographic museum.
More information about the house.
Balsa Street Wine Cellar
A traditional wine cellar, recently acquired and restored by the Town Council for tourist uses, is located in Balsa Street ('Balsa' means 'pool' as there was a very big and old pool which collected the water coming from the town's main channel). Originally from the 19th century, this cellar was reformed in 1959, acquiring some machines to modernize the production's process. The ground floor was exclusively dedicated for this use as wine cellar and the first one was the owners' living area. Today it is the official see of the Regulating Council of the Origin Denomination (D.O. or 'Denominación de Origen') of the Bullas wines.