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ARCHIVED - Until March 26 Lorca hosts gastronomic events celebrating the rice of Calasparra

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Special menus featuring Calasparra rice at 29 bars and restaurants in Lorca

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Until March 26 Lorca hosts gastronomic events celebrating the rice of Calasparra After the success of last year’s “Jornadas Gastronómicas del Arroz de Calasparra” the city of Lorca is once again hosting the event this March, with a series of gastronomic experiences scheduled in celebration of the unique rice grown in Calasparra, in the north-west of the Region of Murcia.

A total of 29 establishments in Lorca are taking part in the promotion of Calasparra rice, which enjoys recognized Denomination of Origin status and is extremely highly regarded for its quality, taste and nutritional value. In fact, this is one of only three D.O. rice-growing areas in the whole of Spain, the others being the Ebro Delta and Valencia.

Each of the restaurants joining in this year offers a special dish with Calasparra rice as the star ingredient, and diners who try at least five dishes are eligible for a prize draw in which the winners will receive trips to the rice fields and tasting events. Further details are available in Spanish here, and the same page also lists the establishments taking part.

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

Address

Plaza de Espana, 30800 Lorca

Tel: 968 441914 (Fax 968 466157)

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

To go to the dedicated Lorca section, Click 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, Lorca Tourist Office 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 inisde the Antiguo Lorca Tourist Office Convento de la Merced on the outskirts of the city beside the river where there is ample parking (paid parking).

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 Lorca Tourist Office 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 Lorca Tourist Office 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.

Click for map, Lorca Tourist Office (NOTE: as of October 2015 both the Tourist Office and Lorca Taller del Tiempo are sharing temporary offices in a rehabilitated fragment of the old city wall at the entrance to the car park, due to imporvements being made to the car park and restoration work inthe Convento itself. The temporary office is just a few metres from the normal one, and opening hours are unaffected).