Date Published: 05/06/2020
ARCHIVED - Lorca castle and visitor centre re-open on Saturday 6th June
ARCHIVED ARTICLE Entry to the castle grounds is free of charge and there is an excellent cafeteria on site
Following an enforced closure during the lockdown period, Lorca castle and the Centro de Visitantes de La Merced, located in the former convent of La Merced, will re-open on Saturday 6th June, just in time for the Bank Holiday on Tuesday, the day of the Region of Murcia.
A visit to both of these in one morning is easily achievable and it’s well worth going to the visitor centre, which provides an interesting introduction to the history of the city.
The visitor centre is open seven days a week from 10.30 to 14.30.
The Visitor Centre is next to a large car park which is an ideal place to park for those intending to walk into the city centre and explore or shop.
The Visitor Centre is also the start point for a new tour being offered entitled "Paseando por Lorca" which is available Monday to Friday at 12:00. Group size is limited for hygiene reasons. The tour is only offered in Spanish but Lorca does have an excellent English speaking guide so speak to the tourist office on 968 441 914 which is located in the
Plaza de España (click for map) if you want an English language tour.
The tourist office is also open and a new system has been implemented in the tourist office, castle and visitor centre enabling visitors to download leaflets digitally onto phones and follow pre-set routes via their mobiles in the visitor centre with information in four languages.Click
tourist office
Protocols have been put in place to guarantee the safety of visitors and staff with protective screening, hand gel etc and measures taken to ensure social distancing.
Castle
June opening times for the castle:
Friday evening from 19:00 to 23:00
Saturday mornings: 11:00 to 16:00 and 19:00 to 23:00
Sunday mornings 11:00 to 16:00
Guided tours in the castle:11:00, 12:00h 13:00, 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00.
The format for the castle has changed totally and entry to the actual grounds of the castle is free of charge during June, so visitors can walk around the walls and gardens and take refreshments in the cafeteria without paying anything. The castle covers 52.000m2 so is worth a visit and the views are fabulous out across the Guadalentín Valley.
Access to the closed areas of the castle such as the tower and judería is via guided tours, which are strictly limited to between 10 and 15 people and must be pre-booked. Further information about tours can be obtained from Lorca taller del Tiempo on 968 47 90 03 or via their webpage. Click
webpage.
At the moment the tours are only offered in Spanish, but this will change as the castle gradually adjusts to the “new normality” and what it brings.
In July and August the intention is to extend the opening hours of morning and afternoon to Tuesday to Saturday, as well as Sunday mornings.
Musical events are also planned for summer evenings.