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August 17 Guided tour of the Sephardic Jewish heritage of Lorca

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Moors, Christians and Jews lived alongside one another in Lorca in the Early Middle Ages

August 17 Guided tour of the Sephardic Jewish heritage of Lorca Among the many remarkable aspects of Lorca during the Early Middle Ages is the long-lasting co-existence of three distinct religions and cultures. The Islamic Moors, the Christians and the Jews, and in fact the remains of one of the most important medieval synagogues have been found within the compound of Lorca castle.

This guided tour on 17^th August, entitled “Lorca Sefardí: Ayer y Hoy”, explores this Jewish heritage during a visit to the fascinating municipal archaeological museum, which houses many of the artefacts and relics discovered in the old synagogue including ceramics, metal utensils, glassware, documents and numerous others. The tour then continues to two of the Semana Santa embroidery museums to see the close ties between the images depicted on the elaborately decorated shawls and references to the Jews in biblical texts.

The tour starts at 11.30 at the visitors centre in the former Convent of la Merced and lasts approximately 2 hours, costing 12 euros for adults and 10 euros for those aged 13 to 16 and other groups entitled to discounts. Children under 13 may join free of charge, and prior booking is required online here.

Further information is available from Lorca Taller del Tiempo (968 479003 / 968 959646, info@lorcatallerdeltiempo.com / recepcion.fortaleza@lorca.net).

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

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, the Jewish Quarter of the castle and Synagogue, Lorca Tourist Office 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 an earthquake which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 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.

Lorca Tourist Office The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is on Calle San Patricio near the church.

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 Lorca Tourist Office 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 Lorca Tourist Office series of parades 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.