ARCHIVED - July 22 Guided tour of the Torre Alfonsina in Lorca castle

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The tower was built on the orders of Alfonso X in the 13^th century when Lorca was a frontier city

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - July 22 Guided tour of the Torre Alfonsina in Lorca castle One of the most iconic elements of the historic castle of Lorca is the tower which was built under the orders of King Alfonso X “El Sabio”, who expelled the Moors from what is now the Region of Murcia in 1243 before inheriting the Crown of Castilla from his father, Fernando III.

Following those events Lorca was a frontier city for around 250 years, until the Moors were also expelled from the Kingdom of Granada in 1492, and during that time the castle of Lorca remained impregnable with the “Torre Alfonsina” at the heart of its military strength.

This guided visit takes in the military area of the castle with the Torre Alfonsina the centre point, as visitors climb the staircase to admire the view out over the city below.

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - July 22 Guided tour of the Torre Alfonsina in Lorca castle The tour on July 22 begins at 21.15 with tickets priced at 10 euros for over 13s and 8 euros for children aged 5 to 12. Toddlers under the age of 5 are admitted free of charge.

Those taking part are asked to gather at the reception of Lorca castle (the Fortaleza del Sol) 15 minutes beforehand.

Bookings can be made online here or here, and further information is available from the tourist office in Lorca.

Images: Murcia Turística

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

Address

Plaza de Espana, 30800 Lorca

Tel: 968 441914 (Fax 968 466157)

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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.