Lorca is a large town in the province of Murcia with a population of around 80,000 and an area of 1,676 km².
Declared a historic and artistic site in 1964, Lorca is known as the “Baroque city” given the important Baroque monuments in its historic centre.
Lorca won the European ‘Heritage Europa Nostra Award’ for working to preserve its heritage with the renovation of six churches in the historic centre after the 2011 earthquakes. The town also strives to become a sustainable tourism destination.
It is believed that the first human settlers arrived in the Palaeolithic era and Lorca’s urban development was particularly significant during Roman rule.
Due to its diverse cultures and settlers throughout its history, Lorca retains several archaeological sites such as the Roman milestone, and the Espolón and the Alphonsina towers, among its historic remains. Another key site is the Porch of San Antonio, which once formed part of the old city walls.
The town’s monumental architecture includes churches and convents from various eras and in an array of styles and palaces and mansions in the Baroque style, such as the palaces of Guevara and the Counts of San Julián Palace and the Mula-family House.
The most representative military architecture includes the restored medieval fortress, which is now a visitors’ centre.
The town’s popular architecture is also interesting, especially the buildings on the cobbled streets around the Plaza de España.
Lorca’s Holy Week is renowned for its intense forms of expression. Devotion, talent, colour and music surprise all who wish to commemorate the Passion of Christ in Lorca.
This celebration is also known as the “Whites and Blues” given the rivalry between the two main brotherhoods. Although there are many more brotherhoods in Lorca, the “Blue Paso” and the “White Paso” are by far the most important. On HolyThursday and Good Friday, the town is an explosion of gold and silver during the Baroque procession where the Blue and White Brotherhoods do everything in their power to surpass one another. The whites group together around the Virgin Mary of Sorrow, while the blues’ patroness is the Virgin Mary of Dolours.
The spectacle takes place on a vast thoroughfare in the city, which is lined with seating and known as “La Carrera”. The participants represent Roman soldiers, Egyptian troops and Greco-Roman characters re-enacting scenes from the Old Testament on large floats, atop impressive steeds and in remarkable horse formations. Elaborately embroidered silk costumes are inspired by the scenes in which the character being represented appears. The most awaited floats include Cleopatra, carried on the shoulders of the Egyptian troops and the Antichrist with its demonic appearance.
Lorca’s Holy Week was awarded International Tourist Interest status in 2007.
