Lorca Today

Introduction to Lorca

Lorca has the largest surface area of any municipality in the Region of Murcia (1,676 km²) , with a population of around 92,000 (Padrón 2011).

Lorca lies within the Guadalentín Valley in the area known as the Comarca del Alto Guadalentín.

This is an area of rich, flat, agricultural plains, Lorca (the word comes from the Arabic for mud ) which have been cultivated by mankind since pre-history, and still are today, agriculture and livestock farming still being the backbone of Lorca economic activity. Tanning, tourism and service industries are other vital components, the opening of a Parador in 2012 adding an additional tourism impetus.

The city has played an important part in the history of Murcia, with continuous habitation from the Neolithic era. It was a major Argaric settlement, and played a strategic role during the period of Moorish occupation, before becoming an important border town during the process of the Christian Reconquist in the 13^th century.

Lorca The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern City has built its tourism industry. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen, Teatro Guerra etc.

Unfortunately Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28^th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11^th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.

Lorca Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of, Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only through agricultural exploitations.

However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, ( Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites ( paso planco) and blues ( paso azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of san Clemente, a Feria and has a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.

Where is Lorca?

Lorca Lorca is on the bottom South-west corner of the Region of Murcia, in southern Spain and borders with Almería. Within the Region of Murcia it has the municipalities of Caravaca de la Cruz and Cehegín to the North, Mula, Aledo, Totana and Mazarrón lying to the east, Águilas to the south and Pulpí, Puerto Lumbreras, Huércal-Overa, Vélez Rubio and Vélez Blanco on its eastern flank. The main connection to Murcia is via the A-7 ( 70 km) and the city of Lorca is 90km from San Javier airport.

The main population centres in the Lorca municipality are: La Paca, Palm Zarcilla, Avilés, Coy, Doña Inés, Don Gonzalo, El Pardo, La Canaleja and Zarzadilla de Totana.

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What's on Lorca Fiestas Lorca Lorca news Food & Drink Lorca Lorca Accommodation Lorca Special Visit Offers Tourist Info and what to visit Parking in Lorca Public Transport Monuments and Historical Buildings Historical background Semana Santa Lorca Cultural venues and public spaces Religious Lorca Police, Town Hall, Useful Numbers Street map and orientation Shopping and markets Parking in Lorca

Lorca tourist office to re-open in the Palacio de GuevaraThe refurbished palace welcomes back Lorca tourist office After the long refurbishment and restoration of the monumental Palacio de Guevara in Lorca the tourist office will be moving back to the building, offering services not only to those visiting the.. 31/08/2023

Until October 1 Marinera tapas routes in different areas of the Region of MurciaThis typical Murcia and Cartagena tapa is among the most representative of the Region Among the most popular tapas in the Region of Murcia is the emblematic “marinera”, which consists of a generous portion of Russian salad balanced on a “..

Historic water mill in Lorca could be converted into a hotel and leisure complexThe infrastructures around the Molino del Escarambrujo in Lorca date back to the times of Moorish rule in the 13th century The historic flour mill known as the Molino del Escarambrujo, approximately a kilometre to the west of the city of Lorca, which.. 24/08/2023

7 of the spookiest haunts in the Region of MurciaLocations to send chills down your spine even in the heat of the Costa Cálida summer! The Region of Murcia is renowned for its sunshine, the warmth of its climate and its people, the good living and the delicious food, but even the Costa Cálida..

5 days out with a difference in the Region of Murcia!Treasures not far from the beaches of the Costa Cálida, selected by the Murcia tourist board We all know that the most common reasons for visiting the Costa Cálida are the warm climate, the fabulous beaches and the clear waters of the Mediterranean.. 29/05/2023

The village and outlying district of Zarcilla de Ramos in the municipality of LorcaA small agricultural village in the vast countryside of northern Lorca Zarcilla de Ramos is village with around 1,000 residents in the “Tierras Altas” area of the vast municipality of Lorca, and is in fact one of the most heavily populated of the..

Where is the finest view in the Region of Murcia? The regional tourist board names 17 favouritesThere is a huge variety of views, from Yecla in the north to Águilas in the south, but is your favourite on the list? Choosing the best view in the Region of Murcia is an impossible task, partly because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.. 11/05/2023

Five typical sweet treats for Easter in the Region of MurciaSimple ingredients, simple cooking and simply delightful results to round off your Semana Santa lunches! Many of the gastronomic traditions of the Region of Murcia are highly localized, making use of the ingredients most easily found in different locations..

The village and outlying district of Zarzadilla de Totana in the municipality of LorcaA picturesque village in the mountains on the road between Lorca and Bullas Zarzadilla de Totana is a small village with around 500 residents in the “Tierras Altas” area of the vast municipality of Lorca, located on the MU-503 road which crosses..

The Auditorio Margarita Lozano in LorcaThe new Lorca auditorium is within the IFELOR complex Late 2022 saw the official opening of the new auditorium at the IFELOR trade fair and congress centre in Lorca, completing a project which occupies an area of almost 15,000 square metres and which was..

Walking in the Lorca countryside, the Rambla de Las Calaveras route in AvilésA family-friendly 5-kilometre route in the Tierras Altas area of the vast municipality of Lorca This is a 5-kilometre walk in the environs of Áviles, a small village in the Tierras Altas area of the vast municipality of Lorca, which usually takes around..

Mountain biking in the Lorca countryside, the Los Tornajos route in AvilésA 51-kilometre route in Lorca which reaches around 1,350 metres above sea level This is a 51.5-kilometre bike ride starting and ending in Áviles, a small village in the Tierras Altas area of the vast municipality of Lorca, reaching a maximum altitude..

The Lorca y Tú card offers discounts on guided tours and free entry to the castle and museumsA great way to enjoy 12 months of reduced price admission to most of the major tourist attractions in Lorca The attractions of the historic city of Lorca are so numerous that they are best visited over a couple of days, a week or throughout the year, and the..

5 great guided tours in the Costa Calida this spring and early summerFrom embroidery to medieval castles, from wineries to railway engineering, just some of the fascinating visits on offer in the Region of Murcia With the lifting of pandemic restrictions there has been a huge resurgence of interest in joining guided tours..

Walking in the Lorca countryside, the Calares de Cambrón route in AvilésA 13-kilometre route in Lorca which reaches around 1,350 metres above sea level This is a 13.5-kilometre walk in the environs of Áviles, a small village in the Tierras Altas area of the vast municipality of Lorca, which usually takes around 5 hours..

The village and outlying district of Avilés in the municipality of LorcaA small agricultural village on the high plateau of northern Lorca Avilés is a small village with around 380 residents in the “Tierras Altas” area of the vast municipality of Lorca, located on a huge plateau midway between the city of Lorca..

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Lorca Today

Introduction to Lorca

Where is Lorca?

LORCA