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Whether you like it or loathe it, there is little room for doubt that broccoli is one of the heathiest vegetables available, and figures show that the expansive fertile farmland of Lorca makes the municipality one of the prime producers of the crop not only in the Region of Murcia but also in the whole of Spain.
In a marked change from the preferences of a generation ago, market surveys show that around 60 per cent of Spanish households are regular consumers of broccoli, and the Region of Murcia has become one of the main suppliers. This year has seen a bumper crop amounting to 21% more than in 2023, reaching 224,000 tons, grown on an area covering a total of 14,000 hectares (13.35 per cent more than last year).
As well as domestic markets, the Region also exports some 205,000 tons of broccoli at a total price of an amazing 316 million euros, accounting for 70 per cent of all Spain’s broccoli exports.
Of those 14,000 hectares more than 5,000 lie within Lorca, and they account for around half of all broccoli grown in Murcia. The main concentration is around La Hoya, where the local football team won a certain degree of fame a few years ago as the “Clockwork Broccoli” after a strip portraying the vegetable saw a change of luck that resulted in the side being promoted to the second division of the national league!
On the back of this agricultural success, the “+Brócoli” association, which was formed in 2010 to promote broccoli consumption, has launched an initiative called “Mejor con brócoli” (Better With Broccoli), aiming to create the use of the product in everyday dishes as a nutritious extra. The TV campaign features a 90-year-old grandmother who has moved into modern times and recommends simply boiling broccoli for 5 minutes as a tasty and healthy addition to any meal.
Meanwhile, over a million broccoli florets from Murcia are going on sale in supermarkets all over Spain, including supermarket chains such as El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Lidl, Consum, Eroski and Aldi, and between now and the end of the month various activities and events are taking place to promote sales.
So get on board the Better with Broccoli campaign and support the vegetable farmers of Lorca!
Image 2: Twitter.com
For more local information, including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Lorca Today.
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.
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
