Portray of the Destination
Lorca is a monumental city. The visitor will not take long time to notice all the advantages and the attractive sights of this town in Murcia which offers not only beaches and common tourism but also history, archeology, unique streets, festivities and cultural offers, a particular Holly Week, rural tourism and many other possibilities.

This region provides a high level of hotels and restaurants, bars of “tapas that testify its wide gastronomy, pubs, discotheques and other important activities which are a complement for visitors and its own citizens. Due to the vast and varied territory, Lorca gives the possibility of making tourist routes in mountains, places of historical interest and coastal areas and at the same time admiring its rich fauna and flora with its protected places.

Holly Week requires a special remark: these are days of great religious fervour, processions, cultural appointments and strolls around the city, and then, transmitting all the passionate bible processions. Lorca also offers remarkable cultural activities, leisure and free time having magnificent theatres, cinemas, and conservatory, libraries and exhibition halls. Here it is also possible to find theater and dance shows, current films and the best exponents.

We would like to thank the "Excelentísimo Ayuntamiento de Lorca" (City Council) for the text and photographs provided.



Geography
Lorca is situated in the south-western part of the Murcia region. It presents an irregular perimeter and its administrative borders rarely coincide with the natural ones, due to the socioeconomic and politic variations along its history. The main relief characteristic is the contrast between morphological features, in such a way that hills, valleys and interior depressions follow alternatively, culminating in the eastern coastal part. The transitions between the different spaces are made generally through large slopes and mount feet. All these determine a series of features and climatic contrast that flow from the major rate of humidity in the mountainous area to the aridity of the valleys and depressions that look to the east, through the inland raised continental plain.

Lorca is located around the fluvial axis of the River Guadalentín, a course able to provide a great water volume, and then stay during years completely dry. However this water is not enough to supply a very populated area so reservoirs have been constructed, and subterranean waters are been used as well as they had to appeal to the contribution of the Tagus river.

Climate
The climate is typically Mediterranean. The coldest month is January, and 6 degrees below zero can be reached above 700 m. The hottest months are July and August, with average temperatures of 25 ºC (77ºF).

When to go
Due to the varied tourist agenda of Lorca, the leisure activities that its cultural and natural spaces offer, and the incessant fests that constantly live up the city, and as temperatures are not extreme, this city is a good destiny to be enjoyed throughout the year.

History
During the Roman Empire Lorca was known as Eliocroca, in the Antonio Itinerary and in the Via Augusta that joined Tarragona with Jaén. We do not have many references about the Visigoth period of Lorca. In 713, the Agreement of Theodimir was signed and the place name Lurga appears in it, the population turned into an autonomous territory administrated by Theodomir until his death and the reorganization of the Muslim state.

In 1224, Alfonso X conquered Lorca. During the Reconquest, Lorca was a dangerous border city, dominated by the kingdom of Castile and the Moorish kingdom of Granada. When the war of Granada finished and the Muslim domination ended, Lorca changed its appearance, urban development was carried out, the commerce and the exploitation of the land was continuously developed. In the 17th century, Lorca started to take shape as a modern metropolis, but it did not neglect its defensive positions, particularly in the coast, due to the continuous threat of the Turkish and Berbers.

The 18th century had a vital importance for the city, it was one of the favored regions by the Bourbon reform. The population increased and expanded in the periphery neighborhoods of San José and San Cristóbal. The wall disappeared, which was an indication of higher security. At the beginning of the 19th century, Lorca counted on a socioeconomic model of a pre-industrial community characterized by the predominance of the primary sector and a great increase of the population. But the breaking off of the Dam of Puentes, in 1802, the Independence War, the yellow fever as well as drought seasons brought famine and the emigration of twelve thousand of citizens.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the intense exploitation of mines in the littoral area caused an economic growth. The civil war resulted, paradoxically, in the beginning of the demographic recuperation.

Traditions
Since the 19th century, Holy Week processions take place in Lorca. These celebrations are fabulous by its environment, it is a mixture of festivity and popular devotion. Roman Soldier and quadrigas coexist with baroque images of saints and the representation of biblical and historical figures like Cleopatra, Nero and the devil.

Other important festivities in Lorca are:

The Carnival, the Lorca Fair, also called the big fair, and it is celebrated in the last 10 days of September in the exhibition area of ‘La Rueda’, there, all the fair attractions are founded, the popular chiringuitos and musical concerts make Lorca the right place for the entertainment.

The 8 of September, the festivity of the Patron Saint of Lorca, Virgen de las Huertas, takes place. Traditions states that the image was brought by Alfonso X in 1244, when the city was conquered.

The 23 of November the festivity of San Clemente (Patron Saint of the town) takes place. It is a fest revitalized in the last years with the presence of Christians and Moorish, organizers of several activities that take place during the whole week.

In Christmas times, a show representing soldiers with classical instruments occupying streets and squares takes place.

The 2nd of February, a traditional and popular procession in the field of Lorca takes place, coming from the zone of ‘La Hoya’ going to the hermitage of Virgen de la Salud. Popular dances and singing are very popular.

Gastronomy
Typical cuisine in Lorca, despite its simplicity, is not exempted from appetizing flavors.

It has abundant vegetables, cereals and meats, specially coming from game, sheep and pork. Within the typical cuisine of Lorca we can find "migas con tropezones", "olla fresca", rice and beans with pork products, Paella with turkey. Turkey casserole with meatballs, "Olla Gitana".

It is pleasantly appetizing the mixing of vegetables and legume with pumpkins, cooked wheat with meatballs, "aletría and gurullos", "gazpacho" (chilled tomato, cucumber and pepper soup), rice with snails, snails with rabbit, snails with tomato and typical products from the slaughtering season such as chorizos, asaduras and other pork products.

Regarding confectionary, delicious products are "alfajores", "yemas cordiales", "picardías", "crespillos" and the popular "chochos". Christmas sweets are "tortas de pascua", "cordiales de almendra" (almond cake) and "mantecados" (shortbread). In holly week "Torrijas" are typical.

Basic Dictionary
YES: si. NO: no. HELLO: hola. GOOD BYE: adios. GOOD MORNING: buenos días. GOOD AFTERNOON: buenas tardes. GOOD NIGHT: buenas noches. PLEASE: por favor. SORRY: lo siento. THANK YOU: gracias. DOCTOR: médico. PHARMACY: farmacia. NUMBERS: 1: un. 2: dos. 3: tres. 4: cuatro. 5: cinco. 6: seis. 7: siete. 8: ocho. 9: nueve. 10: diez. 11: once. 12: doce. 13: trece. 14: catorce. 15: quince. 16: dieciséis. 17: diecisiete. 18: dieciocho. 19: diecinueve. 20: veinte. 21: veintiuno. 22: veintidós. 30: treinta. 40: cuarenta. 50: cincuenta. 60: sesenta. 70: setenta. 80: ochenta. 90: noventa. 100: cien. 1000: mil. DAYS OF THE WEEK: MONDAY: lunes. TUESDAY: martes. WEDNESDAY: miércoles. THURSDAY: jueves. FRIDAY: viernes. SATURDAY: sábado. SUNDAY: domingo. COMMON WORDS: BIG/SMALL: grande/pequeño. HOT/COLD: caliente/frío. OPEN/CLOSED: abierto/cerrado. GOOD/BAD: bueno/malo. NEW/OLD: nuevo/viejo. PUSH/PULL: empujar/tirar. ENTRANCE/EXIT: entrada/salida. LADIES/GENTLEMEN: señoras/señores. FAR/NEAR: lejos/cerca. LEFT/RIGHT: izquierda/derecha. TAXI: taxi. BUS: autobús. MEALS: BREAKFAST: desayuno. LUNCH: comida. DINNER: cena. MENU: menú. WINES: vinos. DESSERT: postre. THE BILL: la cuenta. COMMON SENTENCES: DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?: ¿Habla inglés?. I DON'T UNDERSTAND: no entiendo. WHERE IS IT?: ¿donde está? HOW MUCH IS IT: ¿Cuánto es? WHAT TIME IS IT: ¿Qué hora es? COULD YOU HELP ME: ¿Puede ayudarme?

Currency
Euro. It is divided in 100 centimes. There are banknotes of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Euros. The coins are of 1 and 2 Euros and of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 y 1 centimes of a Euro.

Currency Exchange
1 EUR (Euro) = 1.20 U$D (United States Dollar)
1 EUR (Euro) = 0.66 GBP (Pound Sterling)

Prices
In comparison with other European Union countries, and perhaps due to its high tourist vocation, Spain is one of the cheapest countries. Obviously, prices vary depending on the season being higher during the summer and lower in the winter.

Useful Info

Official name
Lorca
Country
Spain
Time Zone
GMT +1
Official Language
Spanish
Surface area
1,676 km² (647.1 sq. mi)
Population
87,153 inhabitants
Political Regime
Constitutional Monarchy
Public holidays
1st January: New Year's Day. 6th January: Epithany. Holy Thursday and Friday: varies depending on the year. 1st May: Labour day. 9th June: Festivity of Murcia. 15th August: Assumption of the Virgin. 12th October: Spanish National Day. 1st November All Saint's Day. 6th December: Day of the Spanish Constitution. 8th December: Immaculate Conception day. 25th December: Christmas Day.
Religion
Lorca is mainly catholic, and this is reflected even on the city calendar. But plurality and freedom of worship is also permitted.
Religion
90 % Catholics, 8 % Muslims and 2 % Jews
Arrival / Departure
Land and air connections in Lorca are currently in a great moment, the region is very well connected in a fast and effective way. The traveler will find a great variety of options, by train, by bus or flight.
Safety
As in all Spain security is a priority for the forces of law and order. In this area the institutions count on several services whose main aim is to make the coexistence easier and to help at times of emergency. Local Police: 092.

Nevertheless, tourists must consider every recommendation and general advices. For that reason we suggest travelling with the necessary money in each outing, in the same way, precautions should be taken in crowded places to avoid every kind of theft.
Visa
The European Union tourists do not need visa to enter Spain. Neither those citizens of the United States, Argentina, Mexico nor the rest of the Latin American countries. However a return ticket must be bought. Travelers from Australia, Anguilla, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, South Korea, Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Israel, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saint Helena, Singapore and Turk & Caicos do not either need visa provided that they do not stay more than 90 days in Spain.
Clothing
There are no rules for clothing, it depends on the season. The Spanish people love to wear comfortable and casual clothes. In the case of Lorca, it is advisable to wear comfortable and thin clothes in summer and warm clothes in winter.
Electricity
220 volts, 50 mhz. Sockets take two round plugs.
Radio and Television
The main radio Stations in Lorca are: Cadena 40 principales, Cadena 100, , Cadena Azul Música, Cadena Dial, Cadena Elite Archena, Cadena Cope, Kiss FM, Loca FM, Onda Cero, Onda Regional de Murcia, Punto Radio, Radio Amistad, Radio Calasparra, Radios 1, 3 and 5 (Spain National Radio), Radio Clásica , Radio Sol, Somosradio.

With regard to TV, the national TV channels are: (Tele5, Antena3, Cuatro, TV1 and TV2). And Murcia counts on: Television Murciana, L’Aguilica TV, Television Totana 47, Television Alcantarilla – TVA, Canal 6.
Telephone
The Spanish phone code is 34 and Lorca Code is 968. To make a phone call to another country you must first dial 00 and then the international code of the country you would like to call to and finally dial the subscriber phone number. For phone calls within Spain a special code is not required.

The most important phone operators are Amena – www.amena.com-, Movistar/Telefónica Móviles -www.movistar.tsm.es- and Vodafone-www.vodafone.es-. Telephone booths are very common along the streets and they work with coins or phone cards. There are also the called locutorios, they are establishments with many phone booths, where coins or cards are not needed, just pay in cash the phone call after the conversation. In many of this kind of places it is also possible to send and receive faxes and there are computers with internet connection as well.
Police
092
Ambulance
902 222 292
Fire Brigade
080
Tourist health care services
061 - 112
Newspapers and Magazines
Apart from national newspapers like ‘Abc’, ‘El Mundo’, ‘El País’, ‘La Razón’ y ‘La Vanguardia’, and Murcia newspapers like ‘La Verdad’ (www.laverdad.es), ‘La Opinion’ (www.laopiniondemurcia.es), ‘El Faro de Murcia’ (www.elfarodemurcia.info), ’20 minutos Murcia’ (www.20minutos.es/murcia) and ‘Nueva Linea’ (www.diariolinea.com), Lorca counts on ‘El Faro de Lorca’.

Regarding magazines: “Época”, “Semana”, “Interviú”, “Primera Línea” and “Tiempo de Hoy”.
Postal Service
The Spanish postal service is efficient. Letters within Europe usually take 3 to 5 days. A special delivery costs a minimum of 2.5 euros. Lorca counts on two main postal offices:

-Crtra. Granada, 59. Telephone Number: +34 968467112. Schedules: from 8:30 to 14:30 on weekdays, Saturdays from 9:30 to 13:00. Sundays and public holidays closed.

-Av. Juan Carlos I, 82. Telephone Number: +34 968461062. Schedules: from 10:00 to 22:00 on weekdays, Saturdays from 12:00 to 22:00. Sundays and public holidays closed. Customer care of Correos: +34 902 197 197. For more information visit www.correos.es
Health Care Services
Lorca health care centres, as in all Spain, offer a permanent care to all the population of the area. They count on services that ensure a direct and comfortable attention for the patient.

The main hospitals and clinics are:

Hospital Rafael Méndez, Carretera Nacional 340, km 598. Telephone Number: +34 968445500.

Centro Médico Virgen del Alcazar de Lorca, Alameda de los Tristes. Telephone Number: +34 968468600.
Airport
Highways allow a fast connection with the airports of Alicante, Almeria and San Javier with Lorca, the nearest airport is situated 105 km (65 mi) from Lorca.

Almeria Airport, 156 km (97 mi). Connection: Highway E-15. Average Time to get there: 90 minutes.
Alicante Airport, 120 KM (74.5 mi). Connection: Highway E-15. Average time to get there: 80 minutes.
San Javier Airport (Murcia) 105 km (65.2 mi). Average time to get there: 90 minutes
Public Transport
Lorca counts on a bus network that connects all the interesting places in an effective and fast way.

Lorca bus station is located in Almda Menchirón. Telephone Number: +34 968 469 270.

Taxis are also available, and the most important company is: Radio Taxi, Telephone Number: +34 968 471 110.
Railway
A fast and effective service of suburban trains facilitate the connection between Murcia and Lorca. This allows the visitor arriving from the central area to get off without losing time and make a journey of about 45 minutes to Lorca.

For the people traveling from Alicante, Valencia, Castellon, Barcelona and other cities there is a long distance train that links directly all these cities with Lorca. The municipality counts on halts and one station ‘Lorca Sutullena’, located in the central area.
Bus
Lorca counts on a bus network that enables a fast and comfortable connection with the main Mediterranean and Southern cities of the Spanish territory. The main companies are:

Acoma-Etnacar: This company offers services along the Mediterranean. Seven buses with a stop in Lorca, join the city with Barcelona, Tarragona, Castellon, Alicante, Almeria, Granada, Malaga and Algeciras.

Alsina Graells Sur: this company connects cities like Granada, Seville and Cordoba to Lorca.

Andreo: Connect Almeria, Mojacar, Vera and the interior of the province of Almeria with Lorca.

The bus station of Lorca is situated in Almda Menchiron. Telephone Number: 968 469 270.
Car
The Autopista del Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Motorway), former N-340, is the real axis connecting Lorca. This motorway separates Lorca from the capital city of Murcia in a route of about 39.15 mi. For those arriving from the centre of Spain and Mediterranean regions, there is an easy connection with Murcia. And it is also a fast connection with the airport of Alicante (74.56 mi), San Javier (65.24 mi) and Almeria (74.56 mi).

The regional road C-3211 connects Lorca to the North-western part of the region. The Road C-3211 is the one that connects Lorca to the Southern coast, and to the coastal town of Aguilas. The N-322 leads to the Coast, (Puntas de Calnegre), Mazarrón, Cartagena and San Javier Airport. The connection between Lorca and Andalusia is comfortable and fast. From Almeria and its airport (93.21 mi) the road is a motorway. The highway N-342 connects Granada (132.35 mi) with Lorca.
Car Rentals
Car rental agencies require a minimum age of 23 and a driver’s license since at least one year. Some agencies require a minimum age of 25 for specials vehicles, minivans and luxury cars. All companies demand full payment in advance and a deposit. The main credit cards are accepted: VISA, Master-Card, American Express, etc.

The main offices are:
Rent a car LG: Telephone Number: +34 968 470 747.
Murcia Rent a Car: Avenida Cervantes, 12. Telephone Number: +34 968 471 447.
Avis Alquile un Coche, SA: Calle Curtidores, 18. Telephone Number: +34 868 925 205. Web: www.avis.es
Ship
In Cartagena is situated the nearest seaport for passengers.
Cartagena Port: Heroes de Cavite, Cartagena. Telephone Number: +34 968 325 800. Web: www.ap.es
Destination Tourism Office in Spain
 
Spanish embassy in the destination
 
Taking pictures
There are no restrictions for taking pictures.
See climate
www.worldweather.org
Currency converter
www.xe.com/ucc
A dinner
20 - 30 €.
A coffee
1 euro
The Bus
1 euro
The taxi
Initial fare: 1.10 euros (standard). 1.44 euros (night fare) and 1.65 euros (public holidays)