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September 23 Guided tour of fun and games in the Sephardic Jewish quarter of Lorca castle

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How did children play in the Jewish quarter of Lorca in the 13^th and 14^th centuries?

September 23 Guided tour of fun and games in the Sephardic Jewish quarter of Lorca castle Various guided visits and tours are being held during September 2023 in Lorca to coincide with the annual celebration of Jewish cultural heritage throughout Europe, a tradition which the “City of the Sun” has been keen to embrace as it celebrates the importance of the Sephardic Jews in its medieval history.

In fact the medieval synagogue and Jewish quarter which were discovered during excavations close to the castle in 2003 are among the most important Jewish remnants dating from the Early Middle Ages in the whole of Spain, a sign that the Sephardic Jews coinhabited peacefully with North Africans and Christians in Lorca until both the Moors and the Jews were officially expelled from the country by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 (and four years later from Portugal, on the orders of King Manuel I.

One of the guided tours is a family event entitled “Jugando en Sefarad” in which visitors receive information about how the residents of the Jewish quarter in the 13^th and 14^th centuries enjoyed themselves, with a particular focus on children’s games. The visit begins at 18.30 and participants are asked to arrive at Lorca castle at least 20 minutes beforehand.

Prior registration is required online here and is priced at 10.50 euros for over 16s and 8.50 euros for those aged 5 to 16 (free for under-5s).

Further information is available from Lorca Taller del Tiempo (Convento de la Merced, Puerta de San Ginés, telephone 968 479003 / 968 959646, email info@lorcatallerdeltiempo.com).

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

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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. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.

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 Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!

In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) 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 and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.

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 Tourist Office Lorca also has an area of inspoilt 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.