Lorca Today

Introduction to Lorca

Lorca has the largest surface area of any municipality in the Region of Murcia (1,676 km²) , with a population of around 92,000 (Padrón 2011).

Lorca lies within the Guadalentín Valley in the area known as the Comarca del Alto Guadalentín.

This is an area of rich, flat, agricultural plains, Lorca (the word comes from the Arabic for mud ) which have been cultivated by mankind since pre-history, and still are today, agriculture and livestock farming still being the backbone of Lorca economic activity. Tanning, tourism and service industries are other vital components, the opening of a Parador in 2012 adding an additional tourism impetus.

The city has played an important part in the history of Murcia, with continuous habitation from the Neolithic era. It was a major Argaric settlement, and played a strategic role during the period of Moorish occupation, before becoming an important border town during the process of the Christian Reconquist in the 13^th century.

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, 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, Teatro Guerra etc.

Unfortunately Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28^th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11^th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.

Lorca 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 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 series of parades in which the whites ( paso planco) and blues ( paso azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of san Clemente, a Feria and has a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.

Where is Lorca?

Lorca Lorca is on the bottom South-west corner of the Region of Murcia, in southern Spain and borders with Almería. Within the Region of Murcia it has the municipalities of Caravaca de la Cruz and Cehegín to the North, Mula, Aledo, Totana and Mazarrón lying to the east, Águilas to the south and Pulpí, Puerto Lumbreras, Huércal-Overa, Vélez Rubio and Vélez Blanco on its eastern flank. The main connection to Murcia is via the A-7 ( 70 km) and the city of Lorca is 90km from San Javier airport.

The main population centres in the Lorca municipality are: La Paca, Palm Zarcilla, Avilés, Coy, Doña Inés, Don Gonzalo, El Pardo, La Canaleja and Zarzadilla de Totana.

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What's on Lorca Fiestas Lorca Lorca news Food & Drink Lorca Lorca Accommodation Lorca Special Visit Offers Tourist Info and what to visit Parking in Lorca Public Transport Monuments and Historical Buildings Historical background Semana Santa Lorca Cultural venues and public spaces Religious Lorca Police, Town Hall, Useful Numbers Street map and orientation Shopping and markets Parking in Lorca

69-year-old who tied up his girlfriend before beating and raping her in Murcia avoids jailHe was given a two-year sentence suspended for five years for the violent attack in Lorca A 69-year-old man has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting tying up his girlfriend's hands and feet with a hairdryer cable and .. 20/05/2022

Increase in marijuana pollen points to growth of illegal crops in Murcia RegionA “significant increase” in pollen was registered in Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia A study of the amount of cannabis pollen in the Murcian air has detected a “significant increase” of the illegal substance in recent years, indicating.. 16/05/2022

Three cities in Murcia approach the global warming temperature danger zoneLorca has not only exceeded the Spanish temperature increase average, but the global one as well The worldwide effort to halt global warming is falling far short of expectations and nowhere is this more evident than in Spain, where an analysis of.. 16/05/2022

Calnegre beach in Lorca is awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for yet another yearThe Lorca beach is one of 34 Blue Flags to be recognised for their quality in this year’s awards For the sixth year running, Lorca’s Cala de Calnegre beach has been awarded a Blue Flag for the quality of its sand, sea and facilities. &.. 13/05/2022

Lorca remembers the victims on anniversary of the 2011 earthquakes9 people lost their lives to the Lorca earthquakes of May 2011 On Wednesday May 11 Lorca once again remembered the victims of the major earthquakes which struck the city in 2011, causing the loss of 9 human lives and irreparable damage to many residential.. 12/05/2022

400,000 euros to convert the Palacio de Guevara in Lorca into a visitable museumThe Palacio de Guevara is one of the most iconic buildings in the historic city of Lorca The Town Hall of Lorca has announced that almost 400,000 euros are to be invested in restoring the historic Palacio de Guevara and converting it into a museum, the..

Parque Almenara has something for everyone to enjoyWhether you’re looking for food, fashion or fun, Parque Almenara in Lorca is the perfect place for you It’s sometimes hard to find a plan for the weekend to keep the whole family happy. Some people want to go shopping, others just want to sit..

4 historic monuments and heritage sites in Murcia at risk of disappearingThe state of ruin of the structures has prompted their inclusion on the Red Heritage List Four architectural buildings in the Region of Murcia are very different from each other in terms of time period and design, but they share one common trait:.. 18/02/2022

Lorca Castle the Fortaleza del Sol The imposing might of the Fortaleza del Sol in Lorca A visit to Lorca castle makes the centrepiece of a great day out for families or those with an interest in history, its spacious grounds hosting several interesting displays which focus on Medieval..

Lorca beaches: Puntas de CalnegrePopular restaurants right next to the sea at the longest beach in Lorca In general terms it is fair to say that most of the 8-kilometre coastline of the municipality of Lorca consists of rocky cliffs and a series of beaches and coves, some of which are spectacularly..

Lorca beaches: Playa or Cala de CalnegreA Blue Flag beach on the unspoilt Mediterranean coastline of Lorca Playa de Calnegre is one of three coves which are reachable by car via a mountain track close to the long beach of Puntas de Calnegre on the coastline of the municipality of Lorca, and is the..

Lorca beaches: Playa del Baño de las MujeresA charming sandy cove on the unspoilt coastline of Lorca The Playa del Baño de las Mujeres is one of the three beaches in the municipality of Lorca which are accessed by car along a track which is unsurfaced but perfectly manageable (except in times..

Lorca beaches: Cala SiscalA wild sandy beach on the unspoilt coastline of Lorca Cala Siscal is the last of three beaches in the municipality of Lorca which are accessed by car along a track which is unsurfaced but perfectly manageable (except in times of heavy rain), and offers..

Lorca beaches: from Cala de Gruta to Cala Honda and the Cala de San Pedro Spectacular landscapes and an official nudist beach at La Junquera The 9-kilometre coastline of Lorca includes over a dozen beaches, and most of them are characterized by the rugged features of the cliffs and rocks constituting the lower slopes of the..

Lorca beaches: Cala LeñaA wild cove near the southern end of the Lorca coastline Cala Leña is the one of a series of beaches and coves which lie along the coastline of Lorca and Águilas to the north of the imposing headland of Cabo Cope, and one of the northernmost..

Lorca beaches: Playa de los HierrosA long stretch of isolated shoreline on the coast of Lorca Playa de los Hierros is the one of the series of beaches which lie along the coastline of Lorca and Águilas to the north of the imposing headland of Cabo Cope, and is favoured by the kind of..

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Lorca Today

Introduction to Lorca

Where is Lorca?

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