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Date Published: 13/11/2025

Lorca Castle to open new pedestrian access in 2026

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The new eastern path will cut the walking distance from the city to the fortress by one kilometre

Lorca Castle to open new pedestrian access in 2026

Work has begun on a new pedestrian access linking Lorca Castle with the neighbourhood of Santa María. The €2.8 million project, which includes restoring the castle’s eastern gate, is expected to be completed between June and July 2026. Once open, the new path will reduce the distance from the city’s medieval museum (ciuFRONT) to the Fortaleza del Sol from 1.3 kilometres to just over 300 metres.

Luis Torres del Alcázar, president of the foundation managing the museum, welcomed the move, saying it will boost tourism in the area.

“When visitors come to Santa María and ask how to get to the castle, it’s clear that it’s too far away. With this access, everything could be connected in just a few steps,” he said.

The restored eastern gate, once used before the fortress became a tourist site, could also revive traditional events such as the procession of the Virgin of Las Huertas up to the castle. “It would improve access and bring the castle closer to the city,” added Torres del Alcázar.

However, the new access is unlikely to be open permanently. Councillor for Culture Santiago Parra explained that keeping it staffed all year round may not be feasible: “Opening it on specific dates, such as Saint Clement’s Day, while maintaining the current reception area, seems the most practical solution.”

Safety improvements are also underway on the castle hill, including replacing damaged safety screens and removing obsolete ones that blocked access. Meanwhile, reforestation work is being carried out to enhance the area’s appearance and biodiversity.

Since April, the Town Hall has planted around 1,500 trees, and the BosqueO2 association is adding about 50 more on the northern slope.

“Restoring the natural landscape brings the castle to life and promotes environmental awareness,” said BosqueO2 head Pedro Quiñonero. The project uses native, drought-resistant species and includes two years of technical monitoring and irrigation to ensure their survival.

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

Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca

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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. 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.

Lorca Tourist Office 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!

Lorca Tourist Office

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.