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The feast day of San Clemente on November 23 has been observed a local holiday in Lorca since the Saint was adopted as patron of the city. This decision was made because it is said that it was on this date that Lorca was “liberated” from Moorish rule in 1244, despite historians casting considerable doubt on the accuracy of the claim, and nowadays the fiestas in honour of San Clemente are more a celebration of the cohabitation of Muslims, Jews and Christians in the Middle Ages as well as a series of reenactments of supposed historical events.
The program for the 2024 fiestas includes the following:
Saturday November 9
17.00: Free dramatized tour of the myths and legends of Lorca. Click here for further details.
Sunday November 10
10.30: The 44th annual-cross country race up the castle hill. Click here for further details
Friday November 15
20.30: “Anillos para una Dama”, theatre at the former church of Santa María la Mayor, now home of hte ciuFRONT medieval museum of Lorca. Admission free of charge.
Saturday November 16
11.30: Free tour of Lorca, beginning at the La Merced visitors’ centre. Further information and bookings click here.
18.00: Re-enactment of the triumphant entrance of Prince Alfonso of Castilla into Lorca in 1244. The procession begins in Las Alamedas, and procedes along the Alameda de la Constitución, Calles Presbítero Emilio García, Calle Lope Gisbert and Calle Álamo to the Plaza de España.
19.00: The official opening speech of the fiestas in the ex-collegiate church of San Patricio, given by José Francisco García Fernández, the Mayor of Caravaca de la Cruz
Sunday November 17
12.00 to 18.00: Fellowship afternoon of the Federación de San Clemente at the old city wall of La Merced.
November 18 to 21
17.00 to 18.00: Worship of San Clemente in the ex-collegiate church of San Patricio, followed by Holy Mass.
Monday November 18
10.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
Tuesday November 19
10.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
Wednesday November 20
10.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
20.30: Floral offering to San Clemente at the ex-collegiate church of San Patricio.
Thursday November 21
10.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
18.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens in the central streets of Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, calles Santiago, Juan II, Glorieta de San Vicente and Calle Corredera.
20.00: The liturgy of the Miracle of the Cross in the church of San Cristóbal.
20.30: The Bathing of the Cross, a re-enactment of the miracle worked by the Holy Cross of Caravaca in Lorca in 1384, bringing an end to a time of plague and drought. Venue: Plaza de la Estrella in the district of San Cristóbal.
21.00: Torch-lit procession to the castle of Lorca. Route: Plaza de la Estrella Puente de La Alberca, Calle Santo Domingo, Calle Lope Gisbert, Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, Calle Santa María and up to the castle.
The event commemorates the reconquest of Lorca by Christian forces.
22.00: Hot chocolate and sponge cake at the castle.
Friday November 22
11.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens in the central streets of Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, calles Santiago, Juan II, Glorieta de San Vicente and Calle Corredera.
12.00: Re-enactment of a skirmish between Moors and Christians in front of the Torre del Espolón in Lorca castle. Admission free of charge.
12.30: Re-enactment of the capitulation of the Moorish troops in 1244 in the central courtyard of Lorca castle, performed by the theatre company of the Teatro Guerra. Admission free of charge.
13.00: A medieval tourney in the central courtyard of Lorca castle. Medieval knights in valiant combat as they test their fighting skills. Admission free of charge.
14.00: Paella for all after the tournament.
22.00: Live music in the Plaza Arcoiris. Admission free of charge.
Saturday November 23
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens in the central streets of Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, calles Santiago, Juan II, Glorieta de San Vicente and Calle Corredera.
11.00 to 14.00: Fencing display by the SAAXM fencing club in the Plaza de España.
11.00 to 13.30: Open doors day at the ciuFRONT medieval museum in the former church of Santa María la Mayor.
17.00: The procession of the figure of San Clemente begins as the statue leaves the former collegiate church of San Patricio. Route: through the medieval market, Calle Álamo, Calle Lope Gibert, Calle Príncipe Alfonso, joining the rest of the procession in the Plaza del Óvalo.
18.00: The grand medieval history parade of Lorca, commemorating the years between 713 (when the Moors took control of southern Spain) to 1488. Route: Avenida Juan Carlos I, from the Óvalo to Huerto Ruano (Calle Floridablanca). Seats are free of charge but are likely to be taken early!
20.00: The 18th annual “Ciudad del Sol” folk music and dancing festival at the IFELOR venue. Admission free of charge.
20.00: The return of San Clemente to the church of San Patricio, the sculpted figure is carried back to its home along Calle Floridablanca, Calle Lope Gisbert, Calle Álamo and into the Plaza de España, where it enters the church through the main door.
The event is accompanied by music from the Cuadrilla de Auroros de Lorca.
Sunday November 24
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens for the last time in Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, calles Santiago, Juan II, Glorieta de San Vicente and Calle Corredera.
For more local information including news and what’s on go to the home page of Lorca Today.
