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Lorca | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Latitude | 37.41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Longitude | -1.42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Population | 87,153 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Driving distance to nearest airport (Km) | Murcia Airport - 61 Km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Lorca
sits in the south-west of the region of Murcia and is one of the most
extensive municipalities in Spain (1,676 square kilometres). It has mountains to a height of 1.500m in
the north-west, an 8 Km. coastline and the surrounding area is covered with
vineyards. The town is located approximately 120 Km. from Alicante airport, 61 Km. from San Javier airport and 150 Km. from Almería airport. |
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| Town Photo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| How to Find | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fr. Murcia Airport | Take Puches Rd for 600 metres, and then take Roso Rd for 200 metres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (San Javier) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continue on Casas Rd for another 700 metres; take N340A for about 1 Km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Take E-15 / A-7 for 53 Km to Alhama de Murcia, exit on Km 595 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Take exit 1 on roundabout, continue on Ctra. de Caravaca for 3.4 Km to Lorca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lorca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | The
region around Lorca was already inhabited by the Iberians during the Bronze
Age and was probably called Eliocroca by the Romans and Lurka by the Arabs.
The old part of the town, made up of narrow streets and alley-ways, achieved
its present shape under Islamic rule. During the Christian/Moorish War Lorca was a dangerous border town, caught between the Spanish kingdom of Castile and the Moorish kingdom of Granada. The square tower of the city fortress can be seen from many points of the town. It was named Torre Alfonsina after King Alfonso X of Castile. During the 18th Century a number of baroque churches were built in Lorca. Together with the noble houses in the old town, which are currently being restored, they make up a decent set of historical monuments. Mention must be made of the numerous archaeological sites, the Columna Miliaria dating from Roman times, the Espolón Tower and the Alfonsina Tower, a Christian construction dating from after the Reconquest; the 'Porche de San Antonio', the gate through the old wall that surrounded the city (in the 10th century), the numerous churches and convents dating from different periods and built in different styles (15th Century to the 18th Century), the baroque palaces and stately homes, such as the Guevara Palace, the Palace of the Counts of San Julián or Casa de la Mula, the military fortress built on the site of an impregnable medieval castle, or the paved streets around Plaza de España, with popular architectural buildings imbued with strong traditional character, such as La Zapatería y La Cava. |
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| Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lorca
sits in the south-west of the region of Murcia and is a town of contrasts,
blending its historical heritage with modern life. It is also an important
commercial centre, being probably the most important tourist centre in the
region and to this end has a well designed network of roads, rail and
communications. The town has a wealth of historical buildings including
churches, Roman villas, palaces, monuments and works of art, however, the
city is dominated by the hilltop castle. Among Lorca's important churches are The Church of San Francisco built in 1561; very little of the original building remains, having been rebuilt in the 17th Century. The interior is interesting because of its fine collection of Baroque altarpieces located in the gallery. The Convent of the Virgen de las Huertas dedicated to the patron saint of the town dates from the 15th Century, although the original building was destroyed by floods and a new building constructed before the 18th Century. At this time it was the most important religious centre in the town. On almost every street corner you will find works of original historic architecture and every building has a decoration of some kind, reminding you of the civilisations that have lived here. Lorca is also proud of its squares and patios, all neatly decorated with pots and exotic plants, statues and water features. It is a friendly and hospitable town that offers recreation, shopping, unique gastronomy and a wealth of fiestas to be enjoyed by the visitor and local alike. |
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| Lorca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Essential Nºs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Town Hall | Tel: | 968 479 700 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ambulance Emergency | Tel: | 968 443 333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Local Police | Tel: | 968 443 392 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Guardia Civil | Tel: | 968 467 008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fire Brigade | Tel: | 968 466 080 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rafael Méndez Hospital | Tel: | 968 445 500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Useful Nºs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tourism Office | Tel: | 968 466 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal Library | Tel: | 968 473 127 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxi | Tel: | 968 471 110 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bus Station | Tel: | 968 469 270 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Health Centre | Tel: | 968 463 522 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Post Office | Tel: | 968 467 775 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Costa Living | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The stretch of Murcian coastline known as the Costa Cálida stretches for 250 Km. from the border with Almería to the beach at El Mojón on the boundary with Alicante and is blessed with 315 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 17 degrees. It is known locally as the ‘Market Garden of Spain’ as the rich soil, irrigation techniques and warm climate makes ideal conditions for growing all types of salad vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, rice and of course grapes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lorca | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This
is an ideal place to spend time relaxing both in winter and summer with two
seas to choose from! The Mar Menor and the Mediterranean are divided by a
paradise of infinite beaches, soft sandy sea beds, crystal clear waters and
an excellent hotel infrastructure. From the fishing town of Águilas to the white dunes of the beach of El Mojón in San Pedro del Pinatar, stretch kilometre after kilometre of beaches and deserted coves awaiting the arrival of the bather, the sailor, the diver or the fisherman. In addition, there are delightful picturesque fishing villages, like La Azohia or Cabo de Palos where you can lose yourself for a few days; ports like the one in Mazarrón where you can spend a lively evening and enjoy its magnificent gastronomy after a day on the beach; heavenly areas of natural beauty, unique in the whole Mediterranean, at the beaches of Calblanque and Calnegre, and one of the most highly considered tourist complexes in the Mediterranean: La Manga del Mar Menor.. The area offers a diverse selection of sporting activities for the visitor including hiking, hill-climbing, horse-riding and much more. Fans of water sports will find one of the best places in the world for practising sailing, canoeing, swimming, water-skiing, jet-skiing, fly surfing, windsurfing, catamaranning, and every other type of water sport activity in its numerous clubs, ports and sailing schools. |
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| Special Dates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Clemente Festival | / | 23rd November | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virgen de las Huertas Festival | / | 8th September | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Lorca Fair | / | 16th September | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carnival Parade | / | 25th February | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Attractions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Ex-Collegiate Church of San Patricio | Tel: | 968 466 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Guevara Palace | Tel: | 968 466 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virgen de las Huertas Convent | Tel: | 968 466 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Embroidery Museum | Tel: | 968 466 157 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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