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Date Published: 30/06/2022

ARCHIVED - Lorca castle included in prestigious national palaces and castles network

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The Fortaleza del Sol in Lorca is admitted to the Grandes Castillos y Palacios Turísticos de España brand

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Lorca castle included in prestigious national palaces and castles network The historic castle of Lorca has been officially included in Spain’s national network of tourist castles and palaces, having unveiled the plaque designating it as such this week in a ceremony attended by the president of the Club de Producto Grandes Castillos y Palacios Turísticos de España, Javier Fitz-James Stuart.

This elite club promotes quality tourism and the monuments listed are treated by the Secretary of State for Tourism as a special element within the “Marca España” tourism brand.

According to Deputy Mayor Francisco Morales over 2.7 million euros have already spent on consolidating the castle as the flagship tourist attraction in Lorca, and plans for the future include a renovation of the vegetation inside and around the castle walls and work to make the fortress more accessible by bicycle.

Illumination is also to be improved by the installation of LED and RGB lighting and sustainable vehicles are planned to connect the castle with the old city centre.

For more local news, events 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

To go to the dedicated Lorca section, Click 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, 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.

The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is inisde the Antiguo Lorca Tourist Office Convento de la Merced on the outskirts of the city beside the river where there is ample parking (paid parking).

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.

Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the complex of its historic castle.

Opening hours for Lorca Tourist Office:

Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 19.00. Saturday 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30. Sunday 10.00 to 14.00.

Click for map, Lorca Tourist Office (NOTE: as of October 2015 both the Tourist Office and Lorca Taller del Tiempo are sharing temporary offices in a rehabilitated fragment of the old city wall at the entrance to the car park, due to imporvements being made to the car park and restoration work inthe Convento itself. The temporary office is just a few metres from the normal one, and opening hours are unaffected).