Lorca : Official Murcia Region tourist site

ABOUT

Lorca, whose urban centre was declared -a Town of Historical and Artistic Interest- in 1964, is described as "the baroque city", due to the important baroque heritage of its historical centre, one of the most important in the Region, and the historical events that have shaped modern Lorca from the Iron Age to our time.

Visitors are always made more than welcome in Lorca, and its year-round good weather, restaurants, hotels and first-class tourist infrastructures, all combine to add to the rural tourism on offer in the largest district in the Region of Murcia. The city and its nearness to its many mountain chains and areas of great natural beauty make Lorca a place to really have a good time.

HERITAGE

Mention must be made of the numerous archaeological sites, the Columna Miliaria dating from Roman times, the Espol�n Tower and the Alfonsina Tower, a Christian construction dating from after the Reconquest; the "Porche de San Antonio", the gate through the old wall that surrounded the city (in the 10th century), the numerous churches and convents dating from different periods and built in different styles (15th century to the 18th century), the baroque palaces and stately homes, such as the Guevara Palace, the Palace of the Counts of San Juli�n or Casa de la Mula, the military fortress that restructures the medieval castle on an inexpugnable site, or the paved streets around Plaza de Espa�a, with popular architectural buildings imbued with strong traditional character, such as La Zapater�a y La Cava. Mention must also be made of the spectacular Biblical-Passion Week procession in Lorca, with the fervour of whites and blues, blues and whites; its traditional craftwork, with items still produced using craft techniques, such as ceramics, wall and floor carpets, intricate embroidery and iron forging.

LORCA, WORKSHOP OF TIME

The people of Lorca are the protagonists of, and the driving force behind, the changes that are taking place in the town, and aimed at designing a strategy that will help to interpret, establish themes and communicate its rich heritage, and which will help to bring visitors to the historical, cultural, architectonic and artistic values of Lorca, in an attractive, interesting and unique way.

If you want adventure, then Lorca, "Workshop of Time", will give you as a visitor what you are looking for: the adventure of immersing yourself in everything that Lorca signifies. Its streets, its wealth of monuments and its urban atmosphere can all be appreciated via the following four Cultural Itineraries which when finally completed reveal a multiple, diverse and historical world; "Entre el cielo y el suelo" (Between Heaven and Earth), "Tiempo de contratiempos" (Timed and mistimed), "La ciudad de los cien escudos" (The city of the one hundred coats of arms) and "Tiempo de devoci�n" (A Time for Devotion). Your visit to the Archaeological Museum will bring to fulfillment your knowledge and enjoyment of the rich history of this city.

Lorca, "Workshop of Time" is also proposing a new Visitor Activity Centre in the recently restored Convent of Lorca building. The abundant historical evidence which remains from Lorca's frontier times, from the time of the Moors and Christians, has made Lorca one of the most important historical centres in the whole of Eastern Spain. Its castle, with its imposing appearance, is being converted into a theme area to be known as Fortress of the Sun, where the visitor will be able to live out "an experience through the periods of History". In Lorca centuries's worth of craft traditions can still be enjoyed; expert hands which can transform nature into hand-produced rugs, embroidery and pottery. In addition to all of this, Lorca, "Workshop of Time" savours and learns things from Easter week and other examples from its full annual calendar of traditional festivities: The Feria Chica (Small Fair), in September, homage to the Virgin of the Huertas (the agricultural country around Lorca); the Day and Night Fairs, which greet the end of the summer and fill the streets with local snacks, wine and folklore; the Moors and Christians festival during San Clemente, with its horses, troops, armies and mediaeval markets.