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June 10 Guided tour of the magnificent Ex-Collegiate church of San Patricio in Lorca

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A chance to admire the superb architecture and artwork and climb the belltower of the most iconic church in Lorca

June 10 Guided tour of the magnificent Ex-Collegiate church of San Patricio in Lorca Among all the magnificent buildings in Lorca arguably the most remarkable is the Ex-Collegiate Church of San Patricio, which was built and named following the epic Battle of Los Alporchones on 17^th March 1452.

Considerable restoration work has been completed following the earthquakes which hit Lorca in May 2011, and the naves, chapels and crypt are now visitable again, providing insights into the art and architecture in southern Spain from the Renaissance to the baroque period. In addition, it is possible to climb to the top of the belltower and admire the views out over the city and the Guadalentín valley, the skyline punctuated by the other domes and towers of the churches of central Lorca.

June 10 Guided tour of the magnificent Ex-Collegiate church of San Patricio in Lorca The 75-minute guided tour on Saturday June 10 is held in Spanish and begins at 12.30 at the tourist office in the Plaza de España. Online bookings can be made here and further information is available from the tourist office and the visitors centre in Puerta de San Ginés (telephones 968 479003 / 968 959646, email [email protected], [email protected]).

Registration costs 9 euros for those aged over 13 (7 euros for holders of the Lorca y Tú card, free for under 12s), or 14 euros if the option of climbing the belltower is required (12 euros for holders of the Lorca y Tú card, free for under 12s).

NOTE: The stairs are not easy and this visit is not recommended for visitors with limited mobility.

For more local events, news 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).

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