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Semana Santa in Lorca, where the festivities have been awarded International Tourist Interest status, has got off to a flying start this year, with visitor numbers at the information points set up increasing by as much as 50 per cent despite the far-from-perfect weather over the weekend.
And especially pleasing is the number of foreign visitors to the “City of the Sun”, helping to lead to a 100% hotel room occupancy rate
From the point of view of the politicians in the Town Hall one of the highlights was the visit of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the opposition in the national parliament of Spain, on Friday April 11, but he presumably was not the reason for the thousands of people who gathered outside the Town Hall in the Plaza de España. Then on Sunday, despite the threat of rain, the Palm Sunday events were extremely well attended, with 180 tons of sand and gravel laid on the streets between the Óvalo and Calle Floridablanca to ensure that they are in perfect condition for the processions later in the week.
At the tourist information points an increase of 102% is reported in the number of enquiries made by non-Spaniards in comparison with the same weekend last year, accompanied by a 25 per cent rise in enquiries from Spaniards. Apparently most of the non-Spaniards were British, French or Dutch.
For more local information, including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Lorca Today.
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. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, 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 and the Teatro Guerra.
Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
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 along difficult tracks or by boat!
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 processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
