Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia

Irrigators' tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia
Irrigators' tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Country	Spain
Reference	00171
Region	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2009 (4th session)
List	Representative

Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia
Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia
Date(s)	Thursdays
Frequency	Weekly
Venue	City Hall of Murcia
Location(s)	Murcia, Spain
Inaugurated	1848

The Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia (Spanish: Consejo de Hombres Buenos, pronounced [konˈse.xo ðe ˈom.bɾes ˈβwe.nos]) is a customary court which is responsible for resolving irrigation conflicts in the plain of Murcia (Huerta de Murcia).

In 2009 it was chosen along with the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.^[1]

Council function

The judgments of the Council of Wise Men are oral, being usual that a scribe records the statements.

The Council of Wise Men's aim is to rule on and resolve issues outlined in the ordinances of the plains. These include issues such as the repair of irrigation systems.^[2]

It consists of five full members and five attorneys. It is chaired by the Mayor or his delegate. He has a decisive vote in case of a tie, as rulings are decided by simple majority, and is responsible for carrying out the resolutions.^[3] He also has the authority to fine members who do not attend the meetings.

The Council holds its hearings in public every Thursday in the salon of the city hall of Murcia, from nine until noon.

References

^ "Irrigators' tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia". Culture. UNESCO. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
^ "The Council of Good Men". The Urban Activist. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
^ "National specialised courts | European e-Justice Portal". e-justice.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 June 2025.

External links

Official website (in Spanish)

[1] "Irrigators' tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia". Culture. UNESCO. Retrieved 27 August 2014.

[2] "The Council of Good Men". The Urban Activist. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.

[3] "National specialised courts | European e-Justice Portal". e-justice.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 June 2025.

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UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Spain
Mystery Play of Elche Patum of Berga Irrigators’ tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia Whistled language of the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands), the Silbo Gomero Chant of the Sybil on Majorca Flamenco Human towers Festivity of 'la Mare de Déu de la Salut' of Algemesí Fiesta of the patios in Cordova Valencia Fallas festivity Tamboradas drum-playing rituals Wine Horses Manual bell ringing Asturian cider culture
Shared	Mediterranean diet Summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees Art of dry stone walling, knowledge and techniques Talavera pottery and Talavera de la Reina pottery Falconry, a living human heritage Timber rafting Knowledge, craft and skills of handmade glass production Transhumance, the seasonal droving of livestock
Good Safeguarding Practices	Centre for traditional culture – school museum of Pusol pedagogic project Revitalization of the traditional craftsmanship of lime-making in Morón de la Frontera Methodology for inventorying intangible cultural heritage in biosphere reserves: the experience of Montseny Portuguese-Galician border ICH: a safeguarding model created by Ponte...nas ondas!