CARAVACA, a town of south-eastern Spain, in the province of Murcia, near the left bank of the river Argos, a tributary of the Segura. Pop. (193o) 21,306. Caravaca is dominated by the mediaeval castle of Santa Cruz, the 17th century chapel which has a miraculous cross celebrated for its healing power, in honour of which a yearly festival is held on May 3. The hills to the north are rich in copper, marble and iron. Though over 15m. from the nearest railway station, Calasparra, the town is a con siderable industrial centre, with large ironworks, tanneries and cloth, paper, oil and chocolate factories.