Lorca is the third most populated city in the Murcia region, inhabited by approximately 93,000 people (2018). Placed inland, it's a baroque and renaissance city overlooked by its castle. Its Holy Week processions are renowned, just like its Lorca Rock Festival, also celebrated yearly.

Understand

During the Roman period it was ancient Ilura or Heliocroca of the Romans. In the Middle Ages Lorca was the frontier town between Christian and Muslim Spain.

The city was seriously damaged by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on 11 May 2011, killing at least nine people. Due to a shallow hypocenter, the earthquake was much more destructive than usual for earthquakes with similar magnitude.

Climate

Lorca has a warm climate, typical of southeast Spain, with an average annual temperature between 17 and 18 °C. The characteristics of this climate are due to the situation of the municipality, sheltered from the Atlantic storms. Western wet fronts release water when it hit the Betic Cordillera, which separates the Lorca area of depression of the Guadalquivir, which penetrate the winds off the Atlantic. Rainfall usually occur in torrents, falling mostly in a few days of the fall or spring, with very dry summers. The winters are usually mild with mean temperatures below 9 °C. Summers are hot, 36 °C is the common maximum temperature in July and August, although it sometimes reaches more than 40 °C. Due to the size and topographical fluctuation of the municipality, not all areas report the same rainfall and temperatures.

Get in

There are local trains from Murcia, which is connected to the rest of the Spanish railway network.

See

The Lorca Castle that overlooks the city of Lorca with Alfonis and Espolón Towers

• 1 Lorca Castle (the Fortress of the Sun). The Lorca Castle, which overlooks the city of Lorca from a strategic location, and is distinctly visible from a distance, was built by the Moorish inhabitants during the 13th century. Its history dates back to the Islamic period when it was built between 8th and 12th centuries. (updated Oct 2020)
• Plaza de España (Spanish Square). In the heart of Lorca's historical centre. Containing the Collegiate San Patricio and the Chambers of the Collegiate members, the Casa del Corregidor and Posito, the granary of the 16th century, amongst others. They were built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Plaza has been declared a Cultural Monument. (updated Oct 2020)

Colegiata de San Patricio on the Plaza de España.

• Colegiata de San Patricio. The Collegiate Church of San Patricio is a Renaissance-style building on the Plaza de España. The Collegiate is the only one in Spain which is under the patronage of St. Patrick. The dedication to the Irish saint, has its origins in the Battle of Los Alporchones, fought on March 17, 1452 (St. Patrick's Day) against people of the city of Granada. The church features a baroque façade with Renaissance interiors. (updated Oct 2020)
• Calle Corredera, the main pedestrian street of the city
• The Casino
• The Guevara Palace
• Archaeological Museum
• The Alameda boulevard
• Mount Calvary, a scenic viewpoint
• Porche de San Antonio, a remaining tower of the former citadel
• The Guerra Theatre
• Huerto Ruano country house

Do

There are many beaches in its 8 km (5 mi) litoral stretch of the coast line surrounded by hills with coves with sparse to dense vegetation. Some of the popular beaches are:

• The Calnegre, a sand beach, 1200 m long and 20 m wide, is peaceful with the calm sea.
• Cala Leña, part of the Blana Cove with backdrop of hills covered with good vegetation and facing crystal clear sea water.
• El Ciscar, a gravel beach surrounded by low hills.
• El Muerto beach with volcanic black sand and rock faces.
• La Galera gravel beach in the backdrop of a cove and rock cliffs covered by vegetation.
• Los Hierros, a gravel beach.
• Larga beach, a 500-m-wide gravel beach.
• La Junquera, a small gravely beach with rocky landforms.