Lorca () is a municipality and city in the autonomous community of the
Region of Murcia
The Region of Murcia (, ; ; ) is an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain located in the southeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean coast. The region is in area and had a popul ...
in south-eastern Spain, southwest of the city of
Murcia
Murcia ( , , ) is a city in south-eastern Spain, the Capital (political), capital and most populous city of the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia, and the Ranked lists of Spanish municipalities#By population, seventh largest city i ...
. The municipality had a population of 95,515 in 2020, up from the 2001 census total of 77,477. Lorca has the second largest surface area of municipalities in Spain, , after
Cáceres. The city is home to
Lorca Castle and to a
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons, a non-monastic or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, headed by a dignitary bearing ...
dedicated to
St. Patrick.
In the Middle Ages Lorca was a frontier city between Christian and Muslim Spain.
Earlier, during the Roman period, it was the ancient Ilura or Heliocroca.
The city was seriously damaged by a magnitude 5.1
earthquake
An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...
on 11 May 2011, killing at least nine people. Due to a shallow
hypocenter
A hypocenter or hypocentre (), also called ground zero or surface zero, is the point on the Earth's surface directly below a nuclear explosion, meteor air burst, or other mid-air explosion. In seismology, the hypocenter of an earthquake is its ...
, the earthquake was much more destructive than usual for earthquakes with similar magnitude.
History
Prehistory and Antiquity
Archaeological excavations in the Lorca area have revealed that it has been inhabited continuously since Neolithic times, 5,500 years ago. The earliest permanent settlement is in the
Guadalentín River
Guadalentín is a river in Spain. It is a tributary of the Segura (river), Segura.
The Guadalentín River flows in the southeastern region of Spain. The Guadalentín River Basin is one of the largest in Spain. The Guadalentín Basin is a flat ...
valley, likely because of the presence of water sources, mineral resources, and the strategic positiom along a natural communication route with Andalusia. On the hillside below the castle and the town archaeological digs have revealed the remains of an important population of the ''
El Argar'' culture during the
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
.
During the Roman period, a settlement here was called ''Eliocroca'',
detailed in the
Antonine Itinerary
The Antonine Itinerary (, "Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus") is an , a register of the stations and distances along various roads. Seemingly based on official documents, possibly in part from a survey carried out under Augustus, it describes t ...
and located right on
Via Augusta. Elicroca was important enough to become a bishopric,
suffragan
A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations.
In the Catholic Church, a suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese; the diocese led ...
of the primatial Metropolitan
Archbishopric of Toledo, but this status would be lost under Islam.
Feudal and modern era
In 713, the Teodomiro Pact was signed,
referring to the city and its domains with the name "Lurqa". Under this pact, the population was integrated into an autonomous Christian state, along with six other cities, governed by
Theudimer (Teodomiro). These political arrangements lasted until his death. Then a Muslim reorganization of the state took place, carried out by Abb-al-Rahman II, who turned the territory into a
Córdoba dependency. This led to the formation of the Taifa kingdoms,
with the
Taifa of Lorca
The Taifa of Lorca () was a medieval Islamic Moorish taifa kingdom centered in what is now southern Spain.
The taifa was founded in 1042, when Lorca declared its independence from the emirate of Valencia. Its first governor was Ma'n Ibn Sumad ...
as one of these kingdoms, first created in 1042,
when Lorca declared its independence from the
emirate of Valencia. Its first governor was
Ma'n Ibn Sumadih, its power extending from the city to
Jaén and
Baza. During the Arab period it was known as ''Lurka'' and the old part of the town, made up of narrow streets and alley-ways, achieved its present shape under Moorish rule. The eminent scholar of the Almoravid-era,
Ibn Atiyyah Andalusi of Granada died in the town in the year 542A.H corresponding to around the year 1147.

The taifa was shortly recreated in 1228, after the fall of the
Almoravids
The Almoravid dynasty () was a Berber Muslim dynasty centered in the territory of present-day Morocco. It established an empire that stretched over the western Maghreb and Al-Andalus, starting in the 1050s and lasting until its fall to the Almo ...
, until it conquered by the
Taifa of Murcia; in 1244,
Fernando III, King of
Castilla y León
Castile, Castille or Castilla may refer to:
Places Spain
* Castile (historical region), a vaguely defined historical region of Spain covering most of Castile and León, all of the Community of Madrid and most of Castilla–La Mancha
* Kingdom o ...
and his son and heir, Prince Alfonso, the future
Alfonso X of Castile
Alfonso X (also known as the Wise, ; 23 November 1221 – 4 April 1284) was King of Castile, Kingdom of León, León and Kingdom of Galicia, Galicia from 1 June 1252 until his death in 1284. During the April 1257 Imperial election, election of 1 ...
, conquered Lorca.
The main tower of the fortress of Lorca was named ''Torre Alfonsina'' in honour of the King. The city continued to grow, as in Arab times, and became the main town in an emerging rich agricultural region, although the border hindered economic development.
Lorca, known as the city of 100
Coat of Arms
A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...
, is where the
Moors
The term Moor is an Endonym and exonym, exonym used in European languages to designate the Muslims, Muslim populations of North Africa (the Maghreb) and the Iberian Peninsula (particularly al-Andalus) during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a s ...
and the
Visigoths
The Visigoths (; ) were a Germanic people united under the rule of a king and living within the Roman Empire during late antiquity. The Visigoths first appeared in the Balkans, as a Roman-allied Barbarian kingdoms, barbarian military group unite ...
battled for control of the land; initially they both controlled the land up to the border on the north including the city of Larcia while in later years, the
Christians
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...
and the
Moors
The term Moor is an Endonym and exonym, exonym used in European languages to designate the Muslims, Muslim populations of North Africa (the Maghreb) and the Iberian Peninsula (particularly al-Andalus) during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a s ...
controlled the city and the land up to the southern border.
During the late Middle Ages, Lorca was a dangerous border town, spearhead of the Christian kingdom of Murcia (belonging to the Castilian crown) against the Moorish
Emirate of Granada
The Emirate of Granada, also known as the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, was an Emirate, Islamic polity in the southern Iberian Peninsula during the Late Middle Ages, ruled by the Nasrid dynasty. It was the last independent Muslim state in Western ...
. Lorca served as a base for launching raids into enemy territory. The
Battle of Los Alporchones, took place here in 1452, during the reign of
Juan II of Castile, who ten years earlier had granted the Lorca the title of "
ciudad." The Kingdom of Murcia took Granada in 1492.
After the threat of war with Granada disappeared, the city changed in appearance, carrying out a series of urban reforms and developing trade. The numerous public works to be carried out attracted labourers from elsewhere, resulting in an increase in the population to 8,000 people. Among the new buildings include the
College of Saint Patrick, erected in 1553,
which is the religious centre of the city, as well as numerous convents, such as La Merced, Santo Domingo and San Francisco.
In the seventeenth century, Lorca took shape as a modern city, but still had defensive duties due to the Ottoman threat along the coast.
This century witnessed the expulsion of the Moors, the plague, which killed half the population, and droughts and locust plagues. Nevertheless, from 1660 a spectacular recovery and development began; amongst the construction of new buildings was the
Palacio de Guevara, built in 1694 and a fine example of
baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a highly decorative and theatrical style which appeared in Italy in the late 16th century and gradually spread across Europe. It was originally introduced by the Catholic Church, particularly by the Jesuits, as a means to ...
.
The eighteenth century is of vital importance for the city, being one of the regions favoured by the Bourbon reforms. Lorca truly became a modern city, losing its medieval character. The population grew, and urban sprawl began as immigrants settled in the suburbs of San Cristóbal and San José. The defensive wall disappeared, which is indicative of the greater security of the times. The city became a haven for painters, sculptors and engravers.
On 30 April 1802, a great calamity struck the town of Lorca. The walls of a nearby reservoir gave way, flooding the town and destroying many buildings and killing up to 700 people.
In the nineteenth century, the War of Independence and
yellow fever epidemics and recurring droughts brought famine to the region and brought about the emigration of more than twelve thousand people. By 1845 Lorca had become the largest and most populous municipality in Murcia.
Trade declined during the first half of the century, although in 1865 it received its first steam engine, the Sewer-Lorca railway opened in 1885 and the Baza-Lorca railway opened in 1890,
bringing integration of the region in the domestic market, enabling the movement of mineral deposits and people. Restoration in the late 19th century brought with it a period of prosperity and political calm, the roundabouts of San Vicente, the
Teatro y Colón, the
Casino Artístico y Literario in 1885, the
Teatro Guerra in 1861, and the
Plaza de Toros in 1892, etc. were amongst the notable building developments of this time. The 1878 edition of ''The Globe Encyclopaedia of Universal Information'' described Lorca (spelled as'' 'Liorca')'' thus:
: a town of Spain, province of Murcia, on the Sangonera, W. of Carthagena. It has an old Moorish castle, and manufactures of silks, soap, dye-stuffs, leather, paper, etc... Near Liorca are important lead mines. Pop. 40,000.

In the early twentieth century, intensive exploitation of mineral deposits of the coastal zone meant a revival of economic life in the region. The
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War () was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republican faction (Spanish Civil War), Republicans and the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the Left-wing p ...
paradoxically brought about the beginning of population recovery, but in the post-World War II years the population stagnated as a result of emigration. But today the flow has been reversed: the leather, pottery, cement and butcheries make the municipality an agricultural and livestock industrial tone, involving a large percentage of the population. The twentieth century in Lorca has been a technological take-off, with slow and gradual change of social structures, the specialization of the productive sectors, etc.
On October 19, 1973, Lorca and
Puerto Lumbreras
Puerto Lumbreras () is a Spanish municipality in the autonomous community of Murcia. It has a population of 15,780 (2020) and an area of 139 km2 . It is located in the southwestern end of Region of Murcia and is adjacent to Andalusia.
Hist ...
suffered a terrible flood that took more than 50 lives.

In 2002, during archeological excavations of the
Lorca Castle, the old
Judería, or Jewish quarter, was uncovered, including the Synagogue of Lorca, which was one of the few
synagogues
A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...
in Spain that was not converted into a church after the
expulsion of the Jews. Items found during the excavation can be viewed at the Lorca Archeological Museum, including
menorahs and other
judaica.
On January 29, 2005, an earthquake of 4.6 magnitude on the Richter scale with epicentre in the districts of
La Paca (1,068 inhabitants in 2005) and
Zarcilla de Ramos (1,077 inhabitants in 2005), caused damage especially in the structure of various buildings, and in
Avilés
Avilés (Asturian and ;) is a town in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is, along with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main cities in the Principality of Asturias.
The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, partially in a land that belonged ...
,
Coy,
Doña Inés,
Don Gonzalo,
El Pardo,
La Canaleja and
Zarzadilla de Totana. This was however to be topped by worse.
In 2008, Lorca received the annual Honorary Diploma of Europe Awards from the
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE; , CdE) is an international organisation with the goal of upholding human rights, democracy and the Law in Europe, rule of law in Europe. Founded in 1949, it is Europe's oldest intergovernmental organisation, represe ...
.
2011 earthquake

The town was seriously damaged by a magnitude 5.3
earthquake
An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...
on 11 May 2011, killing at least nine people.
The
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), founded as the Geological Survey, is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior whose work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The agency was founded on Mar ...
(USGS) said the larger earthquake had a preliminary 5.3 magnitude, it was so superficial that the magnitude was like a 7 magnitude normal earthquake, and struck south-southeast of Madrid at 6:47 p.m. (1647 GMT, 12:47 p.m. EDT). The quake was about 1 km (0.6 mi) deep, and was preceded by the smaller one with a 4.5 magnitude in the same spot.
Lorca Castle, a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries suffered serious damages to its walls and the Espolón Tower during this earthquake.
Titular see of Elicroca
The Ancient diocese was nominally restored as a
titular see
A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular metropolitan" (highest rank), "titular archbi ...
in 1969.
It has had the following incumbents, of both the lowest (episcopal) and intermediary (archiepiscopal) ranks :
* Titular Archbishop Paul Clarence Schulte (1970.01.03 – 1984.02.17)
* Titular Bishop Héctor Julio López Hurtado,
Salesians
The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), formally known as the Society of Saint Francis de Sales (), is a religious congregation of men in the Catholic Church, founded in 1859 by the Italian priest John Bosco to help poor and migrant youth during the ...
(S.D.B.) (1987.12.15 – 1999.10.29)
* Titular Bishop Manuel Neto Quintas,
Dehonians (S.C.I.) (2000.06.30 – 2004.04.22)
* Titular Bishop Matthias König (2004.10.14 – ...),
Auxiliary Bishop
An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also be titular bishops of sees that no longer exist as territorial jurisdictions.
...
of
Paderborn
Paderborn (; Westphalian language, Westphalian: ''Patterbuorn'', also ''Paterboärn'') is a city in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn (district), Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pade ...
Geography and climate

The town is situated at an elevation of in eastern Spain between
Granada
Granada ( ; ) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada (Spain), Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence ...
and Murcia. It was part of the hura
of
Tidmir in the Muslim period when it became well known for its fertile soil and subsoil, and for its strategic location. It is situated on the southern slopes of the
Siera del Cano mountains. The
Guadalentín River
Guadalentín is a river in Spain. It is a tributary of the Segura (river), Segura.
The Guadalentín River flows in the southeastern region of Spain. The Guadalentín River Basin is one of the largest in Spain. The Guadalentín Basin is a flat ...
flows through the town.
The municipality of Lorca is bound by
Caravaca de la Cruz and
Cehegín to the north,
Mula,
Aledo,
Totana and
Mazarrón
Mazarrón is a Municipalities of Spain, municipality in the Region of Murcia, autonomous community and province of Murcia, southeastern Spain. The municipality has an area of , and a population of 31,562 inhabitants in 2019. A military fort (name ...
to the east,
Águilas to the south and
Pulpí,
Puerto Lumbreras
Puerto Lumbreras () is a Spanish municipality in the autonomous community of Murcia. It has a population of 15,780 (2020) and an area of 139 km2 . It is located in the southwestern end of Region of Murcia and is adjacent to Andalusia.
Hist ...
,
Huércal-Overa,
Vélez Rubio and
Vélez Blanco to the east. The town of Lorca itself is located southwest of the city of
Murcia
Murcia ( , , ) is a city in south-eastern Spain, the Capital (political), capital and most populous city of the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia, and the Ranked lists of Spanish municipalities#By population, seventh largest city i ...
and roughly north of the coastal town of
Aguilas.
Lorca is connected to
Puerto Lumbreras
Puerto Lumbreras () is a Spanish municipality in the autonomous community of Murcia. It has a population of 15,780 (2020) and an area of 139 km2 . It is located in the southwestern end of Region of Murcia and is adjacent to Andalusia.
Hist ...
in the southwest by
European Route 15 (Route A-7) and the village of
Barranco del Prado just to the north. Beyond this the C-3211 road connects it to the city of
Caravaca de la Cruz much further to the north.
Several towns and villages lie in the municipality, including
La Paca,
Palm Zarcilla,
Avilés
Avilés (Asturian and ;) is a town in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is, along with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main cities in the Principality of Asturias.
The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, partially in a land that belonged ...
,
Coy,
Doña Inés,
Don Gonzalo,
El Pardo,
La Canaleja and
Zarzadilla de Totana.
The municipality is very large at and has a range of geographical features, extending from the coastline to the mountainous areas of the northwest and northeast of the municipality. Lorca formed around the
Guadalentín River
Guadalentín is a river in Spain. It is a tributary of the Segura (river), Segura.
The Guadalentín River flows in the southeastern region of Spain. The Guadalentín River Basin is one of the largest in Spain. The Guadalentín Basin is a flat ...
(in Arabic "mud river") in an arid valley. In fact, agriculture heavily depends on water transferred from the
Tagus
The Tagus ( ; ; ) is the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. The river rises in the Montes Universales between Cuenca and Teruel, in mid-eastern Spain, flows , generally westward, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Lisbon.
Name
T ...
river in Central Spain. Irrigation channels were laid out all over the country by the
Moors
The term Moor is an Endonym and exonym, exonym used in European languages to designate the Muslims, Muslim populations of North Africa (the Maghreb) and the Iberian Peninsula (particularly al-Andalus) during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a s ...
during the
Middle Ages
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...
. These agricultural plains lie to the south of the main town in the valley, a strip which expands into the western part of the municipality. The area to the north is mountainous; to the northeast is the
Parque Natural Sierra Espuna.
Districts of Lorca
Lorca is divided into these districts:
Beaches of Lorca
The municipality of Lorca extends to the Mediterranean. There are many beaches in its 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; and La Junquera, a small gravely beach with rocky landforms.][ Calnegre beach is one of the best beaches in Spain
]
Climate
Lorca has a cold desert climate
The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk'') is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...
(Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
: ''BWk'') closely bordering on a hot desert climate
The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk'') is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...
(Köppen: ''BWh''), with mild winters and hot summers, while precipitation is scarce throughout the year. It is one of the driest cities in Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
and Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
, as well as one of very few areas with a desert climate. During the winter, temperatures below occasionally occur, while on summer temperatures above are common, with peaks above .
Notable landmarks
Lorca Castle
The Lorca Castle, which overlooks the city of Lorca from a strategic location, and is thus 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; some remnants of which are still seen in the form of water systems in the older part of the castle. The Alfonsí Tower is of a rectangular shape which is built in the castle. The castle has a polygonal floor plan. The tower has three sections. Gothic vaulted ceilings are seen in its three sections. It also has the Espolón Tower. During the final stages of Christian reconquest, the Moors had taken refuge in the castle. Alphonse tower was added to the fort defences when Alfonso X had retaken the city in 1243 provided security to the turrets and crenels of the fort. The castle is now a popular place for holding fiestas and civic functions. The castle is also transformed into a theme park with fine display of "dioramas, actors in costumes and various gadgetry."
Plaza de España
The Plaza de España (Spanish Square) is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city, located 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.
Colegiata de San Patricio
The Collegiate Church of San Patricio is a Renaissance-style building situated on the Plaza de España. It was declared a National Historic-Artistic site by decree of January 27, 1941. 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 began construction in 1533 under Pope Clement VII
Pope Clement VII (; ; born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici; 26 May 1478 – 25 September 1534) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 November 1523 to his death on 25 September 1534. Deemed "the most unfortunate o ...
on the spot of the old church of San Jorge. Construction, however, was delayed until 1704. The church features a baroque façade with Renaissance interiors.
Museums
The city has many museums of which the Museo de Arqueologico Municipal maintained by the Plaza de Juan Moreno is popular. There is also an embroidery museum. The city hall has many paintings of battles that were fought in and around Lorca. Paintings of local artists are also on display here.
;Museo Arqueológico
The Archaeological Museum of Lorca is located in the renovated "House of Salazar" which had been built in the early seventeenth century. The museum is a store house of all the archaeological antiquaries found during excavations in several historical areas of Lorca and from other regions in Spain. Limestone statues made in the Lavant area of Lorca decorate the façade. These statues carved are of Mary Natareloo Salazar flanked by figures of two naked female torsos. Inside the museum exhibits are in several sections arranged in a sequence. In the lobby and the first section of the museum the exhibits are: Prehistoric Paleolithic
The Paleolithic or Palaeolithic ( years ago) ( ), also called the Old Stone Age (), is a period in human prehistory that is distinguished by the original development of stone tools, and which represents almost the entire period of human prehist ...
(95000-32000 BC) and Chalcolithic
The Chalcolithic ( ) (also called the Copper Age and Eneolithic) was an archaeological period characterized by the increasing use of smelted copper. It followed the Neolithic and preceded the Bronze Age. It occurred at different periods in di ...
period (32,000 to 9000 BC) finds seen in the flint section consist of antiquaries of scrapers, knives and points used by the hunters and gatherers who lived in Black Hill of Jofré and the Correia in Lorca; utensils arrowheads, axes, polished piece, handmade pottery, beads of people who lived in the region of Lorca during the late Neolithic period (3500 BC); the Copper Age (3000 BC) findings of funerary objects found in the caves of the hills in Lorca; stone architecture of the megaliths
A megalith is a large Rock (geology), stone that has been used to construct a prehistoric structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. More than 35,000 megalithic structures have been identified across Europe, ranging ...
of the Black Hill in Lorca; the later part of the third millennium idols made from clay, bone and stone from the excavations from the Glorieta de San Vicente (Lorca city), one particular item of display is the triangular plate of stone painted in black with schematic rock art painting and other animal on the shoulder blade; the two columns of Emperor Augustus (8–7 BC) and Emperor Diocletian; and the Roman period mosaics, faces of Venus and the nine females of the period.
Other monuments
Lorca is studded with ancient monuments built in baroque architecture, Roman villas, palaces, unique works of art.
In the central part of the town, La Casa de Guevara is one of the ancient baroque buildings built between 16th and 18th centuries by the Guevara family. Another historical monument is the Iglesia de San Mateo, which has an impressive vaulted interior.
*A Roman Milepost of 10 BC of Emperor Augustus
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in ...
period over which a statue of San Vincente erected in the 15th century is an important landmark on the Columnia Milenaria." It is located on the located on the Calle de la Corredera
* Lorca City Hall, built in the 17th–18th centuries, initially as a prison
* Medieval walls and gate or porch of ''San Antonio'' (13th-early 14th centuries) of Arabic origin was the main entrance gate then.[
* Monumental complex of ''Santo Domingo'' (16th–18th centuries), formed by the namesake church, the ''Capilla del Rosario'' and remains of a convent's cloister.
* Iglesia de San Francisco (Lorca) (1561–1735), also known as the temple of San Francisco, is a national monument. It was first built by the ]Franciscan Order
The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent Religious institute, religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor bei ...
in the middle of the 16th century which was later totally rebuilt in the 17th century. It has many baroque altar pieces made by Ginés López in 1694. In the 18th century, Jerónimo Caballero added two high altarpieces of the transept
A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse part of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In cruciform ("cross-shaped") cruciform plan, churches, in particular within the Romanesque architecture, Romanesque a ...
that are dedicated to the Saint Antonio and to Vera Cruz and to the Blood of Christ
Blood of Christ, also known as the Most Precious Blood, in Christian theology refers to the physical blood actually shed by Jesus Christ primarily on the Cross, and the salvation which Christianity teaches was accomplished thereby, or the sacram ...
. In 1941, the 'Virgin de los Dolores' altarpiece made by José Capuz was added.
* Palace of the counts of San Julián, in Baroque-Neomudéjar
Mudéjar were Muslims who remained in Iberia in the late medieval period following the Christian reconquest. It is also a term for Mudéjar art, which was greatly influenced by Islamic art, but produced typically by Christian craftsmen for C ...
style (17th century)
*''Huerto Ruano'' Palace, an urban villa from the 19th century
* Casa del Corregidor, house built in the 18th century
* Pósito de los Panaderos, granary house, built in the 16th century
* Columna Miliaria, Roman structure
* Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Franciscan convent destroyed during a raid in 1653 and rebuilt
* Convento de las Mercedarias (16th century)
* Palacio de Guevara (17th–18th century)
* Antiguo Convento de la Merced
* Antiguo Colegio de la Purísima (18th century), now housing the Conservatorio de Música Narciso Yepes.
* Iglesia del Carmen, 18th-century church
* Iglesia de San Cristóbal (17th–18th century).
* Iglesia de San Diego (17th century).
* Iglesia de San Mateo (18th–19th century).
* Casino Artístico, Andalusian-style building, designed by Manuel Martínez Lorca.
* Teatro Guerra is the oldest theatre in the Murcia Region, inaugurated in 1861.
* Cámara Agrícola (early twentieth century), Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau ( ; ; ), Jugendstil and Sezessionstil in German, is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and ...
building, unusual in this part of the Region of Murcia, designed by Mario Spottorno,
* Puente de Piedra (19th century), bridge
* Puente de la Torta (1910), bridge built in 1910 from concrete
* Plaza de Toros (1892).
Economy
After most of the land and water supplies had been held for centuries by a minority of landowners and by Roman Catholic religious orders
A religious order is a subgroup within a larger confessional community with a distinctive high-religiosity lifestyle and clear membership. Religious orders often trace their lineage from revered teachers, venerate their founders, and have a d ...
, Lorca began a period of sluggish economic growth during the 1960s.
Still today, its economy is largely based on agriculture and stock breeding (pigs and brown cows), although its service industries make it the commercial capital of the surrounding area. The economy of the town is thus dependent largely on export of pork products and textiles. It also has saltpetre, gunpowder, and lead-smelting works. In recent years, Lorca has experienced a population growth because of peasant immigration, mostly coming from Ecuador
Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...
and Morocco
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to Algeria–Morocc ...
.
Lorca has launched a programme to boost its economy by attracting local, national and international industrial houses to set up base in the city and its precincts by identifying land for allotment to set up industrial parks, Research and Development (R&D) projects. Some of the important recent actions taken by the Lorca City Hall relate to allotment of of land for development through 60 local entrepreneurial projects, to promote investments that would create employment and maximize the Lorca economy, allotted to Turkish investors to develop corporate projects, approval of land programmes for development of Serrata Industrial Park by the Lorca Land and Housing firm (SUVILOR) to develop five parks, setup Health Sciences University Campus for the 2010–2011 under agreements with Israel
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...
i firms. Further advantages cited for firms to set up their establishments in Lorca are the approved plans for the allotment of land of in Hoya in Purias and the identification of land for Zarcilla de Ramos, Zarzadilla de Totana, La Paca and Almendricos for development of industries.
The Region of Murcia
The Region of Murcia (, ; ; ) is an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain located in the southeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean coast. The region is in area and had a popul ...
, the City Council of Lorca, the Chamber of Commerce of Lorca and the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of the Region of Lorca (Ceclor), as a consortium, have formed the LORCATUR to develop cultural tourism of Lorca. The emphasis is on promoting urban tourist circuits and thematic itineraries. To this end, plans have been taken up to conserve, preserve and restore the built heritage of the city, regenerate urban areas for residents and tourists, and diversify the historical and cultural heritage.
Cultural activity

Holy Week
The Holy Week celebration popularly known as the Semana Santa
Semana Santa is the Spanish for Holy Week, the final week of Lent leading to Easter. In Spanish speaking cultures as well as Holy Week in the Philippines, the Philippines this becomes an annual tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by ...
. Semana Santa festival has been popularised since 1855. It is said to be the best festival held anywhere in Spain where two brotherhoods vie with each other to display two colours namely the Azul (blue) and Blanco (white) for the highly competitive festive display of cloaks. Each of the brotherhood in Lorca, on this occasion, carries an image of Virgin Mary
Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...
– one draped in a blue cloak and another in white cloak with a banner and a museum. Music played on this occasion is of a different rhythm is reverential and vigorously mixing the story of Old Testament
The Old Testament (OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew and occasionally Aramaic writings by the Isr ...
and the New Testament
The New Testament (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity in the 1st century, first-century Christianit ...
. Apart from this annual festival, there are four small museums where exhibits of Semana Santa costumes are on display. These costumes are finely embroidered on silk and depict historical and religious scenes; some of these cloaks are as long as .
Other Fiestas
Fiesta celebration for La Virgen de Las Huertas is held on 8 September every year.
Education
Centres of education in Lorca:
Healthcare
The public health system that exists in Lorca is managed by the Servicio Murciano de Salud (SMS). In February 2010, Rafael Méndez Hospital was accredited University General Hospital.
Hospitals
* Hospital General Universitario Rafael Méndez
* Hospital Virgen del Alcázar
Health centres
The health centres below are placed in the municipality:
* Centro de Salud Lorca-San Diego
* Centro de Salud Lorca-Sur
* Centro de Salud Lorca-Centro
* Centro de Salud La Paca
* Centro de Salud Sutullena
Clinics
The primary care health centre with the fewest functions below are located in the municipality:
* Consultorio La Torrecilla
* Consultorio Morata
* Consultorio Coy
* Consultorio Zarzadilla de Totana
* Consultorio Las Terreras
* Consultorio Tova-La Parroquia
* Consultorio Campillo
* Consultorio Escucha
* Consultorio Ramonete
* Consultorio Cazalla
* Consultorio Zarcilla de Ramos
* Consultorio Doña Inés
* Consultorio La Campana / Pozo Higuera
* Consultorio Aguaderas
* Consultorio Campo López
* Consultorio Avilés
* Consultorio La Hoya
* Consultorio Marchena
* Consultorio Puente La Pía
* Consultorio Purias
* Consultorio Tercia
* Consultorio Consejero
* Consultorio Almendricos
* Consultorio Torrecilla
Sports
Sports teams
;Athletics
* Atletismo Eliocroca, an athletic club participating at the regional level (cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, route, half marathon, marathon
The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of kilometres ( 26 mi 385 yd), usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There ...
, 100 km).
;Football
* Lorca FC, football team previously based in the hamlet of La Hoya which is currently active in Tercera División
Tercera División () was the fourth tier of the Spanish football league system. Until 1977, it was the third tier of the Spanish football league system. Founded in 1929, it was below the ''Primera División'' (also known as La Liga), the ''Segund ...
.
* CF Lorca Deportiva
Club de Fútbol Lorca Deportiva is a Spanish football club based in Lorca, in the autonomous community of the Region of Murcia. Founded in 2012, the club play in . Lorca holds it home games at '' Estadio Francisco Artés Carrasco,'' which has a ...
, football team in Segunda División B
Segunda División B (English: second division B) was the third tier of the Spanish football league system containing 102 teams divided into five groups, until it was replaced by the new structure in 2021. It was administered by the Royal Spanish ...
* Lorca Deportiva CF (2002–2010)
* Lorca Atlético CF (2010–2012)
* Unión Deportiva Zarcilla, football team which is active in the Preferente Autonómica de la Región de Murcia.
;Rugby
* Club Rugby Lorca
;Futsal
* Ciudad de Lorca Fútbol Sala
;Basketball
* Indigo Química, basketball team that plays in the Primera Autonómica.
;Handball
* Club Balonmano Lorca, team that plays in the Segunda División Nacional Masculina y Femenina.
* Asociación Deportiva Eliocroca, team that plays in Segunda División Nacional.
;Volleyball
* Asociación Deportiva Eliocroca, team which plays in the Liga FEV.
;Swimming
* Club Natación Lorca.
Sports stadiums and venues
* Estadio Francisco Artés Carrasco
* Complejo deportivo Europa
* Ciudad deportiva de La Torrecilla
* Pabellón municipal de San José
* Pabellón municipal San Antonio
Pabellón or Pabellon may refer to:
Places:
*Pabellón de Arteaga, city in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes
*Pabellón de Arteaga (municipality), municipality in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes
*Pabellon Island, the southernmost of two isla ...
* Pabellón municipal de Almendricos
* Pabellón municipal de Las Alamedas
Notable people
* Joaquín Arderíus
* José Luis Munuera (1972–), comics artist
* Juan de Toledo, architect
* Juan Zurano (1948–), retired professional cyclist
* Narciso Yepes
Narciso Yepes (14 November 19273 May 1997) was a Spanish classical guitar, guitarist. He is considered one of the finest virtuoso classical guitarists of the twentieth century.
Biography
Yepes was born into a family of humble origin in Lorca, ...
, guitarist
* Rafael Maroto, (1783–1853) military general
* Ramiro de Lorca (1452–1502), condottiero
See also
* List of municipalities in the Region of Murcia
References
Sources and external links
GigaCatholic on Elicirca bishopric, with titular incumbent biography links
Ayuntamiento de Lorca
Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Lorca
Museo Arqueológico Lorca
Viva Murcia
community info/photos from Lorca town
{{authority control
Municipalities in the Region of Murcia