It is a common misconception among native English speakers that the word “casino” refers exclusively to a place for gambling, but in Spain these institutions first emerged as a place in which members of the upper classes, almost always men, could meet, gather and discuss important ideas as well as promoting the spread of cultural activities and education.
This was the purpose of the Casino of Lorca, construction of which began in 1885 on the site of the former Hospital de San Juan de Dios, and the result was a fine example of eclectic architecture. The dance hall was not completed until 1916, and once work was finished the designs of Manuel Martínez had provided a grand entrance lobby, a marble staircase and an opulent interior to suit the tastes of the day with motifs related to the world of theatre, dance, music, love and youth.
But the history of the “Casino Artístico Literario de Lorca” goes back 40 years further, to the year 1845, when the society which eventually created the building was constituted. The statutes of the society state that the objective was to provide a venue for dances – at Christmas, New Year, Three Kings, Candlemas and during Carnival - meetings and concerts, and also, as was customary at the time, that women were to be allowed in only on special occasions and only in the company of their husbands.
Eventually such an antiquated concept, similar to that of the Victorian gentlemen’s clubs which proliferated in London, fell out of favour, and by the late 20th century the casino was in decline until it was revitalized and became the venue for conferences and other cultural events which it is today. There are now almost 300 members, who can enjoy card games, dominos and other diversions in the lap of luxury, as well as the facilities in the billiards room.
The interior decorations were largely the work of four artists: Blas Latorre (plasterwork reliefs and modernist designs), Sánchez Carlos (allegorical paintings), Luis Tornero (other artwork) and Francisco Cayuela (the painting on the ceiling of the main “salón”).
Address: Calle Pío XII, 30800 Lorca, Murcia
Telephone: 968 466030
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