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ARCHIVED - Sunday 19th January Guided tour of the Virgen de las Huertas convent in Lorca
The church contains spectacular murals and the remains of a 10th-century Moorish palace
Please note: commentary on this tour is in Spanish.
One of the most interesting, yet lesser known of the monuments in the city of Lorca is the convent church of the Virgen de las Huertas just outside the main city centre.
The convent and Sanctuary of the Virgen de las Huertas are devoted to one of the patrons of the city, a legendary apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1244, when Prince Alfonso of Castilla, later Alfonso X “El Sabio”, was camped in this area outside Lorca as he prepared to conquer the city from the Moors. The story runs that he benefited from a thick fog which kept the movements of his troops hidden from the enemy and that in his tent was an image of Mary, and in gratitude for her supposed intervention he decided to build a shrine so that she could stay in this location.
The original church, which was built by the Franciscans in 1467, was destroyed by flooding in 1653, although local tradition has it that the remains were used as the basis of the new construction and its tower. In reality, though, it seems that building had to start from scratch again, and this was a long process, lasting until the 19th century.
Further importance was added to the site in the year 2000, when archaeologists gained permission to excavate inside the convent and church and discovered the remains of a 10th-century Moorish palace. When repairs were made necessary by the earthquakes which hit Lorca on 11th May 2011 further elements of the palace were uncovered, and these Moorish remains, as well as the Christian church above them with its fabulous collection of mural paintings, can now be visited under the terms of an agreement between the Franciscan Order and the Town Hall.
The one-hour group visits are held on the first Saturday of every month at 12.30, although additional sessions can be added if there is sufficient demand and the maximum group size is exceeded.
The cost of joining the tour is 4€ per head (free for under-12s or 1 euro for friends of Lorca Taller del Tiempo), and prior reservation is essential at www.lorcatallerdeltiempo.com or call 968 47 90 03 for more information.(Click here for link, NB Click Comprar entrada individual to purchase ticket and make a reservation.) or via the tourist office.
Oficina de Turismo de 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, 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 on Calle San Patricio near the church.
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 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.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
See what's on in Lorca:
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina
Condado de Alhama
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig
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