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ARCHIVED - Free guided tour in Spanish of the historic city centre of Lorca: October 15
This Spanish language tour highlights various beautiful buildings in the centre of Lorca
Route name: El Casco Antiguo de Lorca: Visita gratuita en español
N.B. The tourist office is able to arrange English-language tours for groups by prior arrangement and offers this visit in English from time to time (see the What’s on section of Lorca Today for scheduled dates).
Lorca is a city rich in history, its strategic position above the Guadalentín Valley having attracted human settlers for thousands of years. The municipal archaeological museum shows a wide selection of artifacts dating back into prehistory, tracing the various settlements which left remains in Lorca: The Argarics, Iberians, Moors, Jews and Christians. The imposing medieval castle dominates the skyline, the 15th-century Jewish synagogue just below it still survives intact, and the city at its foot filled with ornate Baroque buildings.
On this tour an official regional tour guide shows visitors the most important historical buildings in the old quarter of central Lorca, including those in the Plaza de España and the Plaza del Caño, such as the Ayuntamiento, the ex-Collegiate Church of San Patricio and the Casa del Artesano.
The tour is in Spanish, but there is plenty to see, leaflets are available in English from the tourist office, and once armed with a map and this basic orientation, the city can be revisited at any time and the locations explored at leisure.
The 90-minute visit leaves from outside the Tourist information point in the Plaza de España at 5.00pm, and booking is essential as places are limited, so contact the Tourist Office if you’d like to go or book directly using the booking system which can be found here.
For more information about what to see, what to do and where to eat and drink in Lorca visit the home page of Lorca Today.
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
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. Among 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 two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 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 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 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 along difficult tracks or by boat!
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.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
See what's on in Lorca:
