The Plaza de San Vicente is the name given to the square between Calle Corredera and Calle Lope Gisbert in the historic centre of the city of Lorca, alongside which stands the Casa de los Marín Ponce de León and a statue of San Vicente Ferrer.
The statue is placed on top of a replica of a Roman milestone which previously stood alongside the Via Augusta, marking the distance covered from Cartagena towards Eliocroca (Lorca): the original stone is one of three which can be seen in the entrance lobby of the Lorca archaeological museum.
Click to see the history of Lorca relating to the period of Roman occupation of the Lorca municipality.
A curious anecdote surrounds this figure of San Vicente, a missionary and theologian who is the patron saint of the city and region of Valencia. In the early 15th century Vicente was preaching in Lorca, close to the border between the Christian kingdoms of Spain and the Moorish kingdom of Granada, in an attempt to convert the unfaithful and the Jews, but met with little success and soon became disenchanted with the place.
On departure it is said that he shook the dirt from his sandals and declared “I shall not even take the dust from this town”.
To gain their revenge, when the townsfolk erected a statue in honour of the saint after his canonization in 1455 they did so alongside the busiest thoroughfare at the time, the Calle Corredera, so that passing horses, carts and carriages would cause him to be as dusty as possible!
In the past there was also an inn named after San Vicente in this square.
Today the plaza is a pleasant, leafy area in which refreshments can be enjoyed in the centre of the city.
Click for more information about visiting Lorca, including what's on agenda, what to visit and tourist information: LORCA TODAY
