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Date Published: 01/12/2023

17th century cloisters of Santo Domingo in Lorca reopened to the public

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Another stop for sightseers on tours of the historic city centre of Lorca

17th century cloisters of Santo Domingo in Lorca reopened to the public After a total expenditure of almost half a million euros the old cloisters of the church of Santo Domingo in Lorca are now another visitable monument in the historic city centre of Lorca, restored at last after the devastating earthquakes which struck Lorca in May 2011.

The restoration work on the religious complex of Santo Domingo has now been completed allowing the recovery of three separate building areas, the cloisters, the church and the chapel of what used to be a Dominican monastery.

The cloisters of Santo Domingo have a long history, having been designed by Pedro Milanés as long ago as 1646, and the stonework has now been treated to avoid further deterioration in the future. Their reconstruction represents a considerable achievement after 560 pieces were collected from the earthquake rubble in 2011, but fortunately the foundations were located below ground level and it has been possible to reconstruct the magnificent structure.

Traditional methods have been used throughout the restoration, according to the works foreman Teo Campoy Martínez, who highlights the use of hydraulic limestone and other materials which were in common use in the 17^th century. However, the cloisters will be illuminated by rather more modern methods than those used at the time of their construction, allowing the building to become another stop on sightseeing tours both by day and at night.

For more local events, news and visiting information please 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, 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.

Lorca Tourist Office 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 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.