Lorca

Lorca is a Spanish city and municipality belonging to the Region of Murcia, located in the Alto Guadalentín region, in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the third most important town in the Region of Murcia after Murcia and Cartagena, with 96,238 inhabitants (INE 2021); Of these, 62,479 inhabitants corresponded to the urban area and the rest to its numerous districts, distributed throughout the 1,675 km² municipal area, the second largest in Spain after Cáceres, with a population density of 57.01 inhabitants per km².

Lorca is known for its castle, its baroque architecture and its Holy Week processions, declared a festival of international tourist interest.

Thanks to its dense heraldic heritage, it is also called "the city of one hundred shields", a name given to it by the former mayor José Antonio Gallego, while its original name (Eliocroca) takes the title of city of the sun. Its old town and the castle grounds were declared a historic-artistic complex on March 5, 1964, being the first in the Region of Murcia with this distinction.

Toponymy

There are numerous legends that narrate the origin of Lorca. Most have a mythological character. According to Méndez Silva (1649), a Trojan prince named Elio, along with a Greek character named Crota, were the founders of Eliocroca, which was called Lorca in Roman times. Father Morote, on the other hand, grants the foundation of Lorca to the Trojan prince Elio-Urzues, navigator on the "Mare Nostrum". Espinalt wrote in 1778 that "in the year 4018 of the creation of the world", a Trojan prince named Elio founded a city which he called Ilorci. A combination of the words Helios (sun) and Kraton (government) was also thought to form the name Eliocroca (city ruled by the Sun).

Undoubtedly, the current name of Lorca comes from the Arab period, when the medina was known as Lurqa, a term that is already reflected in the Pact of Teodomiro, signed in the year 713. The meaning of this denomination would be "the battle", probably because it was in this city where the confrontation between the Christian troops of Teodomiro and the Arab forces that invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the VIII.

Symbols

Night panoramic of the high districts of Lorca with the castle at the bottom

Persecución de coches

A menudo se dice que la película contiene una de las mejores secuencias de persecución de automóviles en la historia del cine. La persecución involucra a Popeye requisando el automóvil de un civil (un Pontiac LeMans de 1971) y luego persiguiendo frenéticamente un tren elevado, en el que un asesino a sueldo intenta escapar. La escena se filmó en Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, pasando aproximadamente por debajo de la línea BMT West End (actualmente el tren D, luego el tren B) que pasa por una vía elevada sobre Stillwell Avenue. 86th Street y New Utrecht Avenue en Brooklyn, y la persecución termina justo al norte de la estación de 62nd Street. En ese momento, el tren llega a una parada de tren, pero va demasiado rápido para detenerse a tiempo y choca con el tren de delante, que acaba de salir de la estación.

In the azure field, a castle appears on the shield, which refers to the Castle of Lorca. Above this the figure of King Alfonso X "El Sabio" armed with a sword in her right hand, symbolizing the city's means of defense against enemies, and in her left holding the key to the city, both made of gold. To the right of the castle there is a vertical sword, made of gold, and to the left also a vertical key, also made of gold. Above the shield appears a crown. Around the shield appears the motto of the city in Latin:

"Lorca solum gratum, castrum super astra locatum, ensis minans pravis, regni tutissima clavis"
"Lork, of gravel soil and cloaked castles, sword against evil and of the secure key kingdom."

At the end of 2008, the City Council renewed its corporate image with a redesign of the official shield where this motto appears in the background. The new image is used in internal documents and external communication of the consistory. Thus, the previous image, which was 15 years old and consisted of the silhouette of the City Hall building, was replaced.

Flag

The flag of Lorca forms the shield of the City in the center, with the figure of King Alfonso X "El Sabio" with the key to the city and the sword of the conquest of the Very noble and loyal city of Lorca on a crimson red background.

Anthem

The official anthem of the city has been, since 1994, the March of Ministriles and the Toque de Cabildo.

Geography

Cauce of the Guadalentin River as you pass through the city

Lorca is located in the southwestern part of the Region of Murcia, in the region called Alto Guadalentín, 70 kilometers from the provincial capital. Its municipal term is divided into 39 districts; some of them are more than 40 kilometers away from the urban area, being the second largest municipality in Spain (1675 km²), after Cáceres.

The enormous extension of the municipality of Lorca, located in a geologically very complex area at the eastern end of the Betic mountain ranges, allows us to differentiate up to three morphological zones.

1. The mountainous arches of the northern part of the municipality, where the highest altitudes of the region are located, which reach 1200-1500 meters. These mountainous arches include, from west to east, the Giant Sierra (1493 m), the Sierra del Pericay (1369 m), the Sierra del Almírez (1128 m), the Sierra del Madroño (1287 m) and the mountains of the Cambron (1506 m) and Ponce (1529 m). These reliefs are separated by small indoor depressions filled, used for the cultivation of secano, where the hydrographic network of the head of the Guadalentín River is located, formed by numerous branches and tributaries such as the Luchena River or the Turrilla River.
2. The Guadalentin valley in the central area. It is a tectonic pit drained by the river of the same name and that transcends the municipal boundaries of Lorca, running between the border with the province of Almeria to its mouth in the Segura river. Its land has great fertility as sediments are deposited in the creeds and avenues of the river and adjacent branches; on them has been installed orchard of Lorca. Flanqueando a este valle se encuentra las sierras costas al sur (Sierra de la Carrasquilla598 meters, Sierra de Almenara879 meters), the Sierra de la Torrecilla (includes the Sierra de Peña Rubia: 1069 m) west and Sierra de la Tercia (970 m) north.
3. The coastal sector. It extends from the coastal mountain ranges to the coast, abrupt and acantilated but grounded from some natural coves, open to the sea, in the southernmost area of the municipality.

The urban area of Lorca is located at the foot of the castle hill, also called Sierra del Caño, a foothill belonging to the Sierra de la Peña Rubia, just at the point where the river Guadalentín enters the valley of the same name, also called the Murcian pre-coastal depression. The riverbed divides the city.

The altitude oscillates between the 1529 meters of the Morrón del Ribazuelo (Sierra de Ponce) and the sea level on the coast. The urban nucleus rises to 353 meters above sea level.

Map of the municipality

---

Interactive map — Lorca and its municipality

Neighboring municipalities

Northwest: Vélez Blanco (Almería)	North: Caravaca de la Cruz y Cehegín	Northeast: Mula
West: Vélez Rubio (Almería)		This: Aledo and Totana
Southwest Port Lumbreras, Orércal-Overa (Almeria) and Pulpí (Almeria)	South: Eagles and Mediterranean Sea.	Sureste: Mazarrón

Climate

Lorca has a semi-arid climate typical of the southeast of the peninsula. The characteristics of this climate are due to the situation of the municipality in the southeast, which does not reach the Atlantic storms. The humid fronts from the west discharge the water when colliding with the Betic mountain ranges, which separate the area of Lorca from the Guadalquivir depression, through which the humid winds from the Atlantic penetrate. Rainfall is usually torrential, falling mostly on a few days in autumn or spring, with very dry summers. Even so, there are significant differences in rainfall depending on the area of the municipality in question, given its breadth and complex orography, the record being higher in the mountainous areas of the northwest and northeast of the term and in the high districts than in the Guadalentín valley itself and the pre-coastal mountain ranges and the coastal zone, where the rains are considerably less.

The predominance of sunny days throughout the year makes Lorca the "City of the Sun". In general, it enjoys a warm climate, with an average annual temperature of between 17 and 18 °C. Winters are usually mild, with average temperatures not less than 9 °C (being lower in the mentioned mountainous areas and in the high districts). Summers are hot; The maximum temperature of 36 °C in July and August is common, sometimes reaching more than 40 °C.

Average weather values in Lorca.
Climate	Ene	Feb	Mar	Abr	May	Jun	Jul	Ago	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dic	MEDIA
Average temperature (°C)	9	10	13	16	19	25	27	27	23	19	13	10	17.6
Average precipitation (mm)	13	22	29	33	13	10	0	4	10	21	39	38	232

Lorca beaches

Legend
	Protected natural landscape
	Support post
	Catalogue with blue flag

The beaches of Lorca are located in the coastal districts of Ramonete and Garrobillo.

View of Calnegre Beach.

• Playa Puntas de Calnegre
• Playa Calnegre
• Playa Baño de las Mujeres
• Playa de San Pedro
• Ciscar beach
• Cala Honda
• Playa Cuartel del Ciscar
• Playa Junquera
• Cala de la Gruta
• Cala Leña
• Playa de Los Hierros
• Cala Blanca

Nature

Cauce near the birth of the Luchena River, on the high pedaniahs of Lorca.

The municipality of Lorca has various natural spaces, some of them protected. In the northern zone, the massif of the Sierras del Cambrón and Ponce stand out (maximum height of the municipality with 1529 masl, declared ZEPA), the Sierra del Gigante and the Lomas del Buitre-Río Luchena, declared ZEPA and LIC. Aleppo pine, holm oak, broom, juniper, rockrose and various species of thyme abound in these spaces, with maples, gall oaks and mostajos in the highest areas of the Sierra del Cambrón. Within the fauna, the wild boar, the mountain goat, the eagle owl, the Bonelli's eagle, the peregrine falcon stand out, with the presence of the griffon vulture in the Gigante, Culebrina and Luchena canyons, as well as the recent return of the black vulture..

In the central area is the Sierra de la Torrecilla, also declared a ZEPA and SCI, the Sierra de la Tercia (SCI) and the Sierra de Enmedio (SCI), with the presence of Bonelli's eagle, Pelgrim falcon or the black tortoise, as well as a characteristic vegetation of esparto grass and isolated groups of Aleppo pine, wild olive trees and holm oaks, located mainly in the middle and upper third of the mountains. In addition, there are mastics, kermes oaks, arboreal junipers and scrub, mostly thyme. Vegetation and fauna similar to that of the pre-coastal mountain ranges, where the Sierra de la Almenara (declared ZEPA and LIC) stands out.

In the area of coastline available to the municipality is the regional park of Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre, shared with the municipality of Águilas, one of the most interesting stretches of virgin coastline in the Spanish Mediterranean.

History

As a result of the results of the archaeological excavations that have been carried out, it is known that Lorca has been inhabited uninterruptedly since the Final Neolithic, more than 5500 years ago.

The early permanent settlement of the Guadalentín valley was mainly due to the presence of water sources, mineral resources, and above all to the fact that said valley constitutes the natural communication channel between Levante and Eastern Andalusia.

Within the Guadalentín valley, the hill of Lorca occupies a privileged place, since its orography greatly facilitated defense, and its preponderance in height granted absolute control over what happened in the valley.

These factors accelerated the settlement in Lorca since ancient times, and it is manifested in the abundant archaeological remains that are currently documented in Lorca, which has become the municipality with the most archaeological sites located in the Region of Murcia.

Bronze Age

Miliary column of the Augusta road in the old town of Lorca.

On the hill of the Castle and under the urban area, the existence of remains of a population of the culture of El Argar has been documented. Along with these vestiges there are important evidences of settlements of the Argaric culture of a rural nature scattered throughout the municipal area, such as the towns of Los Cipreses, Cerro de Las Viñas in Coy or El Rincón de Almendricos.

Old Age

Already in the Roman period we find the settlement called Eliocroca, included in the Antonine Itinerary and located in the middle of Via Augusta. In the Lower Empire the current Lorca would become a population of Cartaginense, an agricultural settlement in which the villae predominated. With the Romanization, Eliocroca was undergoing a progressive Christianization, and already in the year 301 two representatives of the Lorca diocese attended the Council of Elvira, in Granada.

Middle Ages

Porche de San Antonio.

We hardly have any news about Visigothic Lorca. In 713 the Pact of Teodomiro (Tudmir) was signed, which included Lurqa, through which the population became part of the Tudmir core, along with six other cities. In the transitional decades between the VIII and IX, Lorca displaced Orihuela as the capital of the region, given its location on the route to the south and the abundance of Arab settlements throughout the Guadalentín valley, which had transformed this region in a strongly Islamized territory compared to the rest of Tudmir. Situation that will remain until the reorganization of the Muslim state carried out by Abd al-Rahman II, which made Murcia the new administrative capital of the area, although Lorca will maintain its primacy as economic center until the X century.

After the dismemberment of the caliphate and the formation of the Taifa kingdoms, the Taifa of Lorca would be one of those that appeared during this first stage, later becoming dependent on the Taifa of Murcia.

The Treaty of Alcaraz of 1243 established the protectorate of the Crown of Castile over the Taifa of Murcia «... with the city of Murcia and all its castles that are from Alicante to Lorca and to Chinchilla...», being King of Castile and Leon Ferdinand III. His son and heir, the infante Alfonso, future Alfonso X the Wise, will conquer Lorca in 1244 (the keep of the Lorca fortress is called Alfonsina in honor of the Castilian king) since the Muslim elites Lorca did not accept the capitulations of Alcaraz, although after the siege of the infant they signed an agreement that replicated the previous one, ceding the castle to the Castilians. At that time, the city will continue, as in Arab times, its role as head of a rich agricultural region and important craft activity, but the border facing the Nasrid territories located to the west of Lorca will hinder economic development.

During the Late Middle Ages, Lorca was a dangerous border city, the spearhead of the Christian Kingdom of Murcia (belonging to the Castilian crown) against the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Thus, Lorca will be the key to the kingdom (something that was reflected in his motto and shield), point of defense and starting point for incursions into enemy territory. It will be the battle of Los Alporchones, in 1452, that put an end to the clashes on the Lorca border during the reign of Juan II, who ten years earlier granted Lorca the title of noble city.

The Renaissance

St. Patrick's cohort.

Once the Granada War was over and the Muslim danger had disappeared, the city changed appearance, leaving its walls and expanding towards the valley; urban reforms will be carried out and trade and the exploitation of the countryside will be developed continuously. The numerous public works that were carried out attracted workers and stonemasons from other places, producing a considerable current of immigration that increased the population to 8,000 inhabitants, making it the second most populous city in the Kingdom of Murcia.

Among the new constructions stands out the Collegiate Church of San Patricio, built in 1553, which will be the religious center of the city, but also numerous convents such as those of La Merced, Santo Domingo and San Francisco.

Hard Times

With the 17th century, Lorca is taking shape as a modern city, but it does not neglect its defensive positions, especially on the coast, since the Turkish and Barbary danger continuously threatened the coast, sowing desolation and captivating the inhabitants of the area.

This century will witness the expulsion of the Moors, the plague epidemic, in which half the population died, and droughts and locust plagues. Despite this, from 1660 a spectacular takeoff began and we witnessed its recovery. Proof of this is the construction of new buildings, among which the Guevara Palace stands out.

Towards modernity

The 18th century is of vital importance for the city, as it is one of the regions favored by Bourbon reformism. Lorca is configured as a modern city, losing its medieval characters. The population grows, spreads and settles in the peripheral neighborhoods of San Cristóbal and San José. The wall disappears, which is indicative of greater security. The barrilla trade led to the establishment of important commercial houses in Lorca and in the port of Águilas, which would develop the bureaucracy and the civil service, and a good number of public works, making the city a refuge for painters, sculptors and engravers. who display their artistic activity there.

Pantano de Puentes engraving after its breakage in 1870.

At the beginning of the XIX century it will have a socioeconomic model that will be that of a pre-industrial community characterized by the predominance of the sector primary education and the strong increase in the population. But the rupture of the Puentes reservoir on April 30, 1802 (destroying the lower part of the city, the so-called Puerta de San Ginés and almost the entire suburb of San Cristóbal), the War of Independence and the yellow fever epidemics, as well as the persistent droughts in times of the regency of Espartero, brought with them hunger and the emigration of more than twelve thousand people. In addition, the disappearance of the barrilla trade deprived the region of one of its most healthy sources of income.

In this century the municipality of Lorca will undergo considerable variations: if at the beginning of the century it encompasses the municipalities of Águilas, Puerto-Lumbreras and part of Mazarrón, at the end of the century it is configured with the same extension that it has currently. In 1865 the first steam engine arrived in Lorca, a reflection of the industrial development that the city experienced.

General view of Lorca in History of Spain in the nineteenth century

Another relevant event of these years was the arrival of the railway, which will allow the connection of Lorca with other Spanish regions through this means of communication. In 1885 the Alcantarilla-Lorca line was inaugurated, followed by the connection with Almendricos and Águilas five years later and the Lorca-Baza line in 1894. All of them will suppose the integration of the region in the national market, making possible the movement of minerals from coastal deposits and inland sulfur and manganese mines. For many years Lorca had two railway stations, San Diego and Sutullena, which actually belonged to two different companies. The one in San Diego was the terminus of the Alcantarilla-Lorca line while the one in Sutullena was the head of the railway from Lorca to Baza and Águilas. Within the municipal term there was another station, that of Almendricos, which constituted a railway junction where the Lorca-Baza and Almendricos-Águilas lines forked.

The Restoration was accompanied by a period of prosperity and political calm; The city will be embellished with the roundabouts of San Vicente, the Teatro and Colón, with the construction of the Artistic and Literary Casino in 1885, the Guerra Theater in 1861 and the Bullring in 1892.

The 20th century

At the beginning of the XX century, the intense exploitation of the mining deposits of the coastal zone came to strengthen economic life of the region would go into frank decline, something that from 1920 would already be irreversible, with a sudden population decline. The Civil War will paradoxically bring with it the beginning of the demographic recovery, although from 1950 there will be stagnation as a result of emigration to other areas of the country.

On October 19, 1973, Lorca, along with Puerto Lumbreras, suffered terrible floods that caused more than 50 deaths. After this flood, the Santa Rosa de Lima regional hospital was inaugurated, which would close after the inauguration in 1990 of the new Rafael Méndez Regional Hospital.

Since the 1980s and especially the 1990s, Lorca has undergone a great expansion: tanning, pottery, cement, butcher shops and above all industrial agriculture constitute the main economic activities of the municipality, to which a significant percentage of the population is attached.

The XX century has meant for Lorca, in short, progress, technological takeoff, slow and gradual change of social structures, the specialization of the productive sectors, etc.

The Last Century

Corridor Street in 2009

On January 29, 2005, there was an earthquake measuring 4.6 degrees on the Richter scale with its epicenter in the districts of La Paca (1,068 inhabitants in 2005) and Zarcilla de Ramos (1,077 inhabitants in 2005), which caused various material damages, especially in the structure of various buildings, both in the aforementioned districts and in Avilés, Coy, Doña Inés, Don Gonzalo, El Pardo, La Canaleja and Zarzadilla de Totana. In recent years, the city of Lorca has grown and expanded, beginning to touch 90,000 inhabitants. Monuments such as the Huerto Ruano or the Porche de San Antonio are also restored and valued in 2007.

In 2008 the Council of Europe distinguished the city with the Diploma of Honor of the Europa Awards, which is awarded annually.

2011 earthquake

Figure of the 2011 Lorca earthquake.

On May 11, 2011, two earthquakes shook Lorca, leaving nine dead and nearly three hundred injured. The first earthquake, of magnitude 4.5, occurred around 5:05 p.m. and could be felt in a large part of the Region of Murcia such as Cartagena, Águilas, Murcia, Mazarrón, Alhama de Murcia and even in numerous municipalities of Albacete, Jaén (including the capital and Andújar), Almería and Alicante.

It is estimated that the hypocenter of the seismic movement was located less than 10 kilometers deep, under the Lorca district of La Hoya, according to the mayor of this municipality, Francisco Jódar, who pointed out that falls were recorded in the urban area slabs, beams, ceilings, walls and cornices. After this first movement, the Emergency Coordination Center (112) received hundreds of calls.

A second earthquake was recorded at 6:47 p.m., in this case of magnitude 5.2, less than 500 meters deep. Different buildings suffered damage, such as the bell tower of the San Diego church, the main transept of the Santiago church, the bell tower of the Virgen de las Huertas church and the Espolón tower of the historic castle, which collapsed spectacularly. The new fall of roofs, cornices and other elements of the construction could be what caused the fatalities, as well as the crushing of numerous vehicles. This earthquake was felt in all areas adjacent to the Region of Murcia and even reached the Community of Madrid.

About 10,000 people were evacuated, and some 30,000 spent the night on the streets. It was the most destructive earthquake in Spain in the last 55 years. It is estimated that 80% of the buildings were damaged to a greater or lesser extent. As a consequence of the earthquakes of May 11, 1,164 homes and 45 warehouses were demolished until September 2011.

Demographics

Comparison of the evolution of Lorca (dark green) with that of the region (light green)

Demographic developments in the municipality of Lorca for decades to 2005. The decline of the 1960s is partly explained by segregation as the autonomous municipality of Puerto Lumbreras (7080 inhabitants, at that date) and partly by emigration (5280 inhabitants less)

In 2010 Lorca had a population of 92,694 inhabitants, of which almost 60,000 belong to the urban area, and the rest to the different districts of its extensive municipal area. Approximately 18% of the population is of foreign origin, which represents an estimated figure of about 20,000 inhabitants, the majority of Ecuadorian and North African origin.

Graphic of demographic evolution of Lorca between 1842 and 2011

Source: Spanish National Statistical Institute - Graphical development by Wikipedia. Note: Between the Census of 1842 and the previous one decreases the term of the municipality because Huércal is independent, which, together with Overa, forms in the province of Almeria the municipality of Huércal-Overa. Also, between the Census of 1960 and the previous, the term of the municipality diminishes because Puerto Lumbreras is independent.

Administration and politics

Lorca City Council

Municipal government

The political administration of the city is carried out through a democratically managed City Council whose members are elected every four years by universal suffrage. The electoral census is made up of all residents registered in Lorca over the age of 18 and nationals of Spain and other member countries of the European Union. According to the provisions of the General Electoral Regime Law, which establishes the number of eligible councilors based on the population of the municipality, the Municipal Corporation of Lorca is made up of 25 councilors.

Since the restoration of democracy in Spain, the party with the most votes had been the Socialist Party, specifically for twenty-eight years. After the municipal elections of 2007, the city became governed by the Popular Party. Its mayor Francisco Jódar inaugurated his mandate after defeating Leoncio Collado, the former mayor of Lorca, belonging to the socialist group, in the elections.

On May 22, the 2011 municipal elections were held, in which Francisco Jódar revalidated the mayoralty of Lorca against Manuel Soler, who was making his debut as head of the list in the Lorca Socialist Group. These elections were affected by the earthquakes that shook the city on May 11. Despite the abstention that was expected due to the exodus of Lorca residents to neighboring towns due to the earthquakes, participation only fell a little more than three points compared to 2007. In the electoral campaign for these elections, the municipal group Izquierda Unida presented a study that reflected that the City Council was at that time in a serious financial situation.

In these elections, three new political parties were presented for the first time: Unión Progreso y Democracia (UPyD), Ciudadanos de Lorca (Ciudalor) and Centro Democrático Liberal (CDL-Lorquinismo) that did not obtain representation in the consistory. three, the first repeated candidacy in the 2015 elections and the second did so as Ciudadanos.

However, the Socialist Party regained the mayoralty from Diego José Mateos in June 2019 thanks to a government agreement with the Ciudadanos councilor and the support of Izquierda Unida-Verdes.

Election results

The representation in the plenary session of the City Council is the following:

City Hall

From the 1979 municipal elections to the 2007 municipal elections, all mayors have belonged to the Socialist Party. As of 2007, the mayor's office belonged to the Popular Party, until 2019, when the PSOE recovered it.

Mayors of Lorca since the 1979 democratic elections
Period	Mayor		Legislature
	Name	Party
1979-1983	José López Fuentes	PSRM-PSOE	I Legislature
1983-1987	José Antonio Gallego López	PSRM-PSOE	II Legislature
1987-1991	José Antonio Gallego López	PSRM-PSOE	III Legislature
1991-1995	José Antonio Gallego López (until 1993) Miguel Navarro Molina (since 1993)	PSRM-PSOE	IV Legislature
1995-1999	Miguel Navarro Molina	PSRM-PSOE	V Legislature
1999-2003	Miguel Navarro Molina	PSRM-PSOE	VI Legislature
2003-2007	Miguel Navarro Molina (up to 2006) Leoncio Collado Rodríguez (since 2006)	PSRM-PSOE	VII Legislature
2007-2011	Francisco Jódar Alonso	PPRM-PP	VIII Legislature
2011-2015	Francisco Jódar Alonso	PPRM-PP	IX Legislature
2015-2019	Francisco Jódar Alonso (until 2017) Fulgencio Gil Jódar(since 2017)	PPRM-PP	X Legislature
2019-current	Diego José Mateos Molina	PSRM-PSOE	XI Legislature

Territorial organization

The urban center of Lorca is divided into different neighborhoods. With the application of the law of municipalities with a large population, throughout this legislature it is planned to divide the city into districts.

Districts

Pedanías

The municipality of Lorca is divided into a total of 39 districts, including the urban area of Lorca. Most of these districts have several population centers.

• As for extension:
  • The largest pedanía in terms of extension is Zarcilla de Ramos, with an area of 109,25 km2.
  • The smallest penny in terms of extension is Tiata, with an area of 1,11 km2.

• As for the inhabitants:
  • The most populous paedia is Sutullena, with 4742 inhabitants.
  • The less populated pedanía is Puntarrón, with 4 inhabitants.

Economy

After centuries of land ownership and control of water being in the hands of a few landowners and various religious orders, Lorca began a timid economic recovery in the 1960s.

Even today, its economy is largely based on agriculture (fruits and vegetables such as artichokes, peppers, broccoli and lettuce), boosted in its more exporting aspect after the arrival of the Tajo-Segura transfer at the end of the decade of 1970 and early 1980. In recent years, this activity has attracted a large immigrant population from Ecuador and Morocco.

Pig farming has a long tradition, as has its resulting industrial transformation. However, it is the services and distribution sector that occupies the largest segment of the population since Lorca serves as an important commercial center for other towns in the region and the neighboring province of Almería. There is also some reminiscence of the tanning, textile and pottery industry, which maintained Lorca's economy for a good part of the XX century. The main industrial area of Lorca is the "Saprelorca" Business Park, which has numerous companies, including the Turkish metallurgical company Noksel; The complex has 200 companies and 3,000 jobs. Also the Serrata industrial estate, specialized in the chemical and tanning industry; the La Hoya industrial estate with agri-food companies; and the Los Peñones industrial estate with light industries and large shopping centers. In the northern part of the municipality there are several marble quarries in the mountains near the Valdeinfierno reservoir.

As we have previously indicated, Lorca is a commercial and service city. There are more than 2,000 establishments throughout the city and two shopping and leisure centers on the outskirts. National and international franchises and chain stores are concentrated in the urban center. In this regard, Lorca is a first-order commercial reference in the Region of Murcia, extending its area of influence over a territory of more than 4,000 km² in the southwest of the Murcian region, the eastern area of Almería and the interior of the province. from Granada. For this reason, Professor Horacio Capel did not hesitate to describe it as a "Subregional Capital" which serves a natural region with more than 250,000 inhabitants. Added to this are large educational facilities (University Campus), cultural and health facilities.

Currently the cities of Murcia, Cartagena and Lorca form a triangle on which the economic and social development of the Region of Murcia is structured.

Culture

Monumental heritage

Lorca Castle.

The old quarter of the city of Lorca, together with the castle grounds, was declared a historic-artistic complex in 1964. The most significant monuments in Lorca are:

• Lorca Castle (s. IX-XV) main symbol of the city. Of Muslim origin, the main walls and towers (the Alfonsina and the Espolón) are, however, medieval-Christian construction, of Gothic style. The ancient Jewish quarter and the synagogue of Lorca are preserved.
• The Plaza de España (Lorca) XVI-XVIII) is the nerve center of the Historic Casco of Lorca. There are two emblematic buildings: the City Council and the Collegiate Church of San Patricio.
• The Collegiate Church of Saint Patrick XVI-XVIII) is the most important ecclesiastical construction of Lorca. It was declared a Historic Art Monument in 1941.
  

  Main facade of the Palace of Guevara.
• Consistorial House of Lorca (siglos) XVII-XVIII), building of the centuryXVII initially built as a royal prison by Alonso Ruiz de la Jara.
• La Plaza del Caño, formerly known as the Plaza de la Verdulería, is where the buildings corresponding to the Panaderos Pósito (sixteenth century) were locatedXVI), headquarters of the Artisan House, the Butchers (old Municipal Archive) and the House of the Correction (seventh centuryXVIII), headquarters of the Lorca Courts.
• Column Miliaria, Roman milliary (centuryIa. C.) Located in the Corridor Street, one of the main pedestrian arteries of the Historic Helmet.
• The Medieval Wall surrounded the first urban center of Lorca. The Porche de San Antonio or Puerta de San Ginés (door of the end of the century) are preserved.XIII and beginnings XIV), the wall of the street Rambla, the remains of a tower inside the Conservatory of Music on Cava Street, and the section of Calle Ramírez with the tower of Rojano.
• Convent of Mercedaries (sixteenth centuryXVI)
• Palace of Guevara or House of Columns (siglos XVII-XVIII)
• Casa-Palacio de los Salazar-Rosso (siglos XVI-XVII), headquarters of the Municipal Archaeological Museum of Lorca.
  

  Palacio de los Condes de San Julián.
• Monumental assembly Santo Domingo (siglos) XVI-XVIII).
• The Church of San Francisco, originally from the centuryXVI, suffered severe reforms that have almost completely modified its initial architecture. It has a classicist facade and an interior with interesting baroque altarpieces.
• Former Convent of Merced, currently Lorca Visitors Center Time Workshop. Of medieval origin with Renaissance cover of the centuryXVI and cloister of the centuryXVIII. Inside you can visit an interactive exhibition on the history of the city.
• Former College of the Purest (centuryXVIII), which houses the Narcissus Yepes Music Conservatory.
• Church of Carmen, Carmelite church of the mid-centuryXVIII.
• Church of San Cristobal XVII-XVIII).
• San Diego ChurchXVII).
• Irurita House (sixth century)XVI). Oldest nobility mansion in the city.
• Church of St. Matthew (siglos) XVIII-XIX).
• Church of Santiago (centuryXVIII).
• Palacio de los Condes de San Julián (siglos XVII-XIX).
• Monte Calvario, hill on which a series of hermitages were built at the beginning of the centuryXVII as an alternative to pilgrims who could not travel to the Holy Land. From here you can see a beautiful panoramic view of Lorca and the Castle.
• Artistic Casino, unique Andalusian-looking building, designed by the Lorquino Manuel Martínez.
• Teatro Guerra, is the oldest theatre in the Murcia Region, inaugurated in 1861.
• Union of IrrigationXVIII), where the water is administered for the use of the lorquina orchard.
• Agricultural House (Century Starts)XX.), modernist style building, unusual in this area of the Region of Murcia, designed by the cartogenero Mario Spottorno, also architect of important modernist buildings in Cartagena.
• Stone Bridge, or Barrio Bridge (centuryXIX), work of great monumentality and solidity, since he suffered two strong rhydes.
• Convent Virgin of the Gardens (centuryXV), Franciscan convent destroyed during a flood in 1653 and rebuilt in the middle of the centuryXVIII. Located just outside the city. The remains of a Muslim palace have been discovered in its subsoil.
• Bullring of Sutullena (1892).
• Torta Bridge (1910), pioneering construction in the use of concrete.

Heritage in the rest of the municipality

Night view of the Torre de La Torrecilla.

There are important sites from the Argaric period, such as El Rincón de Almendricos in the district of Almendricos, the Los Cipreses Archaeological Park, the Peñas de Béjar archaeological complex (shared with Puerto Lumbreras), or the Cerro de Las Viñas in Coy.

From Roman times, the site of the Roman Villa of La Quintilla stands out, while from Muslim domination we find the Farmhouse of Cortijo del Centeno, in the La Tova county. The tower of La Torrecilla also stands out from that period, with Christian modifications.

From the medieval Christian world, the castle of Xiquena and the remains of the castle of Tirieza stand out, in the district of Fontanares.

Museums

• The Municipal Archaeological Museum of Lorca is located in the old Casa de los Salazar-Rosso (centuryXVI). It exhibits prehistoric findings and explains the history of Lorca and its region through the different civilizations that have occupied it.
  

  Lorca Municipal Archaeological Museum at the Salazar-Rosso Palace
• Los Cipreses Archaeological Park (Bronze Age).
• Casa Museo Palacio de Guevara, also known as House of Columns (sighs) XVII-XVIII). Declared Good of Cultural Interest, it is one of the great symbols of the city and one of the best examples of the civil baroque of the Spanish Lift. It also hosts the Lorca tourist office.
• Center for Ethnological and Archaeological Interpretation of the Pediatrics of Coy.
• Museums of Embroidery, which exhibit samples of the works that have been performed over time in the costumes of the famous Holy Week in Lorca. Not only are clothing, flags and fabrics of various kinds shown, but also cars, armors and historical photographs. These museums are:
  • Mubbla. Museo de Bordados Paso Blanco.
  • Museo de Bordados Paso Azul.
  • Museo de Arte Sacro Nicolás Salzillo. Morado Pass.
  • Museo de Bordados Paso Encarnado.
• Ruano Huerto PalaceXIX), declared Cultural Interest Bien, used as a museum and for exhibitions of art and painting. It reflects the European artistic currents with which its owner, Raimundo Ruano, took contact during his long stay in Edinburgh.

Lorca, Workshop of Time

Company that exploits various spaces of the monumental complex of Lorca. It includes the so-called Fortaleza del Sol, a defensive bastion that stands on the hill that dominates the entire city, as well as the Visitors Center located in the old Convent of La Merced.

National Tourism Parador

View of the National Tourist Parador of Lorca.

The Parador Nacional is located within the grounds of the Lorca Castle. The works were affected for various reasons, including the 2011 earthquake that affected the building when it was almost finished, thus delaying its opening. It was not until July 12, 2012 when it was inaugurated by Queen Sofía.

Construction within the walled enclosure has generated much contention over the suitability of the chosen location.

Eyebrow of Lovers

It is a place located in the same mountain range where the castle is located. It is accessed through a very busy path that runs through a dense pine forest, along the mountainside, avoiding numerous boulevards with narrow bridges, built to facilitate the passage that make the initial journey more enjoyable with hardly any unevenness.

The aforementioned legend is about a Christian gentleman and a Moorish lady who, unable to marry because of their different religions, preferred to fall off a cliff for love rather than live apart. To remember the story of the two poor lovers, nature made a spring sprout from the spot, in what has since been known as Cejo de los Enamorados.

The boulevards

Lorca's green lung, dating from the XVII century and are a frequent meeting point for locals to socialize or do exercise.

Leisure centers

In the center of Lorca is the traditional core of the city's commerce, where you can find everything from small shops to big brand franchises. In addition, the municipality has two shopping centers (San Diego, located in the urban area, and Parque Almenara, located in the Campillo district) and another one that is planned in the Torrecilla council.

It also has the Santa Quiteria fairgrounds in the Pulgara council, where trade fairs and exhibitions are held, such as the Lorca National Pig Cattle Week (SEPOR), Expoflor or the Murcia Region Craft Fair (FERAMUR), among others.

Friday procession of Dolores in Lorca.

Popular festivals

Two emblematic festivals are celebrated in Lorca, in addition to the patron saint festivals. One is celebrated during the spring: Holy Week. The other, the Lorca Fair, which is held in September.

Holy Week

Monument to the procesionist.

---

Óvalo Santa Paula, city center.

Holy Week in Lorca is one of the most prominent popular manifestations of celebration of Holy Week in Spain, having been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2007.

Roman soldiers and chariots mix with baroque images of saints and representations of biblical and historical figures such as Cleopatra, Nero and the devil, who parade on floats that recreate scenes from antiquity. Currently, the declaration of these processions as a World Heritage Site is being processed.

Although many of their processions are older, the history of Biblical-Passion Parades as we know them dates back to the turn of the century XIX, growing since then until reaching the splendor of our days.

It can be colloquially divided into two main steps: Paso Azul and Paso Blanco, whose followers cheer from the boxes (tribunes located on Avenida Juan Carlos I). The main days in which the processions fill the streets of Lorca are: Dolores Friday, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the latter being the longest and most transcendental. This peculiar Holy Week in Lorca is accompanied by the continuous festival of Lorca residents, giving life to this city, shouting Long live the Paso Azul! or Long live the Paso Blanco! and supporting each of the Virgins corresponding to each step as faithful followers: The Virgin of Sorrows, for the Paso Azul and the Virgen de la Amargura, for the Paso Blanco. It is worth noting the delicacy of the embroideries of each brotherhood, whose work is done by hand and which are exhibited in the museums and churches of each brotherhood.

The Association "The Art of Lorca Embroidery and its staging in the Passionate Biblical Parades", founded in November 2012, aims to achieve the declaration of Lorca embroideries and its staging on stage in the processions of Lorca as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity through UNESCO.

Blue Step

Within the Archconfraternity of the True Cross and Blood of Christ, the Brotherhood of Lorquin Farmers (Paso Azul) arises, whose title is Our Lady of Sorrows, and as headquarters the Convent and Church of San Francisco. The day that this brotherhood presides over is Dolores Friday. In 1854 the Paso de los Nazarenes Azules was created and in 1856 the first embroideries began to be incorporated. In the Civil War, the image of the Virgen de los Dolores, created by the Lorca sculptor Manuel Martínez, disappeared. Later, José Capuz was inspired by the banner of this virgin to recreate it. It is thought that a former Franciscan friar hid it so that it would not be found and destroyed; however, he hid it so well that it has yet to be found, and it is thought that it could be somewhere in San Francisco.

Standard of Reflect

Apart from this titular image, the blue passage has two more: the Christ of the Good Death known as the Lying Christ and the Christ of the Coronation of Thorns. In 2009, the Mater Dolorosa Musical Group was formed, made up of 70 musicians. In addition to this musical formation, the Paso Azul has three more bands: the Roman Band; the Egyptian Band, which accompanies the Egyptian people; and the Banda del Cristo Yacente, composed solely of percussion. The Paso Azul anthem is titled "Las Caretas"

El Paso Azul also has an embroidery museum known as MASS or Blue Museum of Holy Week, located in the old convent of San Francisco and which, with its more than 3,500 m², is the largest museum in the Region of Murcia.

White Step

Also known as the Very Illustrious Cabildo de Ntra. Sra. la Virgen de la Amargura (Paso Blanco), it arises from the "Royal and Very Illustrious Order-Archconfraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary", has as head to La Virgen de la Amargura, and as its headquarters the church of Santo Domingo in 1549. When the brotherhood was reorganized, from 1855, the Paso Blanco began to preside over the Palm Sunday procession, staging, with the Hebrew People, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He currently presides over the Good Friday procession, carrying his main image, the Virgen de la Amargura, in procession. In addition, the Paso Blanco also has other titles: San Juan Evangelista; Saint Mary Magdalene and Veronica. After the destruction of its heritage during the Spanish civil war, the titular image of the Virgen de la Amargura is replaced. The people of Lorca did not like her first substitute and for this reason she was reconverted, becoming La Verónica. Later, it is replaced by another image commissioned from José Sánchez Lozano. In 1863, Paso Blanco founded the so-called "Banda Blanca". In 1973 the Band of trumpets and drums was founded, which paraded like Romans. Finally, in 2004, the "Agrupación Musical Nuestra Señora la Virgen de la Amargura" was created, made up of 78 musicians. The Paso Blanco anthem is titled: "El Tres".

Virgin of the Amargura

In addition, Paso Blanco has its own embroidery museum, known as MUBBLA and located inside the Santo Domingo church itself.

Red Step

In 1555 there was the Brotherhood of the Holy Vera Cruz and Blood of Christ, which carried out processions on Holy Thursday. In 1734, his rank was raised to "Archconfraternity". In the middle of the XIX century, "La Hermandad de Nazarenos Coloraos" joined them, becoming as headline a Crucified, called "The Christ of the Third Parties". It disappeared in 1904. In 1935, the convent of San Diego reappeared, which organizes the Procession of Silence, at zero hours on Good Friday. In 1940, the Archconfraternity of the Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre was transferred to its headquarters in the parish church of San Cristóbal. Since 1948, the Paso Incarnado has as its main image the Christ of the Blood, a carving made by the Valencian José Jerique.

Incarnated Step Standard

Purple Step

At the beginning of the XVIII century, a chapel dedicated to the Santísimo Cristo del Socorro was created, and in 1758 a brotherhood that adopts the color purple. In 1800, the "Paso de Nazarenos Morados" begins to preside over the Holy Thursday procession with its headline of a Dolorosa and the Holy Supper, created by Nicolás Salzillo. In 1787, its owner became "The Christ of Forgiveness". The Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of Forgiveness, El Paso Morado, organizes the Via Crucis on Good Friday morning, with its characteristic "rezaores".

Standard of the Christ of Forgiveness.

Black Step (Curia Step)

"The Brotherhood of the Curia" it presided over Holy Wednesday until 1932. After the Spanish civil war, its titular image became "La Virgen de la Soledad". Currently, the Paso Negro presides over the Palm Sunday procession. In 1977 they moved from San Mateo to San Patricio, organizing since then the procession to its Owner on the night of Passion Saturday.

Standard of the Virgin of Soledad

Archconfraternity of the Risen One

The first procession of the Risen Christ began in 1801 with the Titular image, the work of the Murcian image maker Roque López. It was one of the few images that survived the Civil War. Although its founding seat was the church of Santa María, when it was left in ruins after the Civil War, it was moved to the former collegiate church of San Patricio.

Standard of the Risen Jesus

Lorca Fair

The Lorca fair, also known as "the big fair", is held on the last ten days of September at the Huerto de la Rueda fairgrounds, located in Santa Quiteria. In this location, attractions and beach bars are concentrated where typical Lorca dishes are served. During these days, various activities are organized in the city such as musical concerts, exhibitions, tapas routes, etc.

Sponsoral festivals

• Virgin of the Gardens, patron of Lorca, are celebrated on September 8th. According to tradition, this was the image with which King Alfonso X arrived at Lorca, in the conquest of the city in 1244.
• San Clemente, patron of the city. It is held on November 23, organizing activities among which stand out medieval tournaments, the senas tournament, parades, the medieval market and other events related to the border Lorca.

Sports

Sports Equipment

Athleticism

• Atletismo Eliocroca, athletic club that participates regionally (crosslight, covered track, outdoor track, route (popular tracks, half marathon, marathon, 100 km)); nationally participates in the same specialties, and in Spanish championships.

Football

• Lorca Fútbol Club, formerly known as La Hoya, is playing its games at the Francisco Artés Carrasco Stadium. In the 2016-2017 season he got the promotion to the Second Division. Currently milita in third division in group XIII.
• Club de Fútbol Lorca Deportiva is the consolidation of the Lorca Deportiva, founded in 2013 milita in Second Division B since 2020.
• Club de Fútbol Lorca Deportiva Féminas, founded in 2010 as Lorca Féminas milita in the Second Division since 2013.

Rugby

• Club Rugby Lorca.

Football room

• City of Lorca Football Room, football team room of Lorca.

Basketball

• Indigo Química, basketball team that militates in Primera Autonomics.

Balonmano

• Club Balonmano Lorca, team that militates in the Second National Male and Female Division.
• Eliocroca Sports Association, team that militates in Second National Division.

Volleyball

• Eliocroca Sports Association, team of the Second Regional Division.

Swimming

• Club Natación Lorca.

Guidance

• Club Lorquino de Carreras de Orientación en la Naturaleza. Lorca-O.

Automobile

• Car Club de Lorca.

Sports facilities

Large complexes:

• Futbolistic complex Artés Carrasco
  • Estadio Francisco Artés Carrasco
  • Campo Juan Casuco
  • Campo José Miñarro
• Sports Complex Felipe VI
• Sports city of La Torrecilla
• Campo de Fútbol de Los Tollos
• Camp de Zarcilla de Ramos

Minor facilities:

• Municipal Pavilion of San José
• Municipal Pavilion San Antonio
• Almendricos Municipal Pavilion
• Las Alamedas Municipal Pavilion
• Municipal Pavilion of La Hoya

Youth

In Lorca we find a large number of Youth Associations coordinated and represented by one of the few remaining Youth Councils in the Region of Murcia.

Lorca, has had peaks of youth associative participation of up to 49 entities, always becoming a regional youth benchmark.

Currently, there are around thirty active youth associations in the town, some of these are:

• Asociación Juvenil San Clemente de Lorca (AJSC)
• Asociación Juvenil del Paso Blanco (AJPB)
• Spanish Youth Organization (OJE)
• Scout Group 108
• Asociación Juvenil de las Terreras
• Asociación Juvenil Javier Cervantes (La Hoya)
• Izquierda Joven Lorca (IUJ-Lorca)
• Socialist Youths of Lorca (JJSS Lorca)
• New Generations of Lorca (NNGG Lorca)
• Ben Arabi Youth Association
• Youth Association of the Lorca Professional Training Centre.
• Asociación Juvenil Lorca Urbana
• Asociación Juvenil Paso Morado
• Young Blues
• Asociación Juvenil del Paso Encarnado (AJPE)

Services

Education

Educational centers in Lorca:

Health

The public health system that exists in Lorca is managed by the Murcian Health Service (SMS).

The city of Lorca is located in primary care management 3 (Health Area 3-III-Lorca) and the local hospital serves the entire area that includes: Lorca, Águilas, Puerto Lumbreras and Totana. In February 2010, the Rafael Méndez Hospital received accreditation as a General University Hospital.

General Hospital Rafael Méndez.

Health centers in Lorca:

• Health Centres
  • Comarcal Health Centre
  • Centro de Salud Lorca-San Diego
  • Lorca-South Health Centre
  • Centro de Salud Lorca-Centro
  • Centro de Salud Lorca-Sutullena
  • Lorca-La Paca Health Center

• Consultants
  • Consultorio La Torrecilla
  • Consultorio Morata
  • Consulting Coy
  • Consultorio Zarzadilla de Totana
  • Consultorio Las Terreras
  • Consultorio Tova-La Parroquia
  • Consultorio Campillo
  • Consultorio Listen
  • Consultorio Ramonete
  • Consultant Cazalla
  • Consultorio Zarcilla de Ramos
  • Consultorio Doña Inés
  • Consulting La Campana / Pozo de la Higuera
  • Consultorio Aguaderas
  • Consultorio Campo López
  • Consultorio Avilés
  • Consultorio La Hoya
  • Consultorio Marchena
  • Consultorio Puente La Pía
  • Consultorio Purias
  • Consultant Tercia
  • Consultant
  • Almendricos Consulting

• Ambulatory
  • Ambulatory Santa Rosa de Lima

• Hospitals
  • Hospital General Universitario Rafael Méndez
  • Hospital Virgen del Alcázar

Drinking water

The drinking water supply to the entire municipality of Lorca has been carried out since 1998 by the mixed company Aguas de Lorca S.A., within the company Aquagest Región de Murcia.

Wastewater treatment is carried out in the Wastewater Treatment Stations (EDAR), where water pollution is eliminated, thus maintaining the environment and the cleanliness of the rivers. In Lorca there are three treatment plants, located in the districts of Zarcilla de Ramos, La Paca and La Hoya. The wastewater produced by the city of Lorca is treated at the La Hoya treatment plant. The total treatment capacity of the three treatment plants is 20,473 m³ per day.

Waste and cleaning of public roads

LIMUSA (Municipal Cleaning of Lorca S.A.) is a public limited company, exclusively owned by the Lorca City Council. This is responsible for providing household garbage collection services, street cleaning, as well as cleaning buildings and public centers dependent on the City Council.

Since 2003, LIMUSA has been in charge of managing parking and public car parks, including those limited and controlled by means of vending machines on public roads, municipal tow trucks and vehicle depots.

Electricity

The distribution of electricity in Lorca is carried out by the company Iberdrola, which in addition to Lorca distributes electricity in many other cities and regions of Spain and other countries.

To promote renewable energy, the Lorca City Council also facilitates the implementation of solar panels, since it allows them to be installed without the need to present a technical project. Solar panels generate electricity of up to 10 kilowatts, and with this measure the council wants to encourage many private homeowners to use this renewable energy.

Transportation

Andenes from the station Lorca Sutullena.

Lorca has four stations in its municipal area, two of them in its main urban center (Lorca-Sutullena and Lorca-San Diego) and the other two (Almendricos and La Hoya) in their respective districts.

It has a Murcia suburban line. Line C-2 connects Lorca with Totana, Alhama de Murcia, Librilla, Alcantarilla and Murcia; and with Puerto Lumbreras, Pulpí and Águilas, crossing a part of the province of Almería in Pulpí on its way. In summer periods it is widely used to access Playa del Hornillo, in neighboring Águilas.

Sutullena station also has a long-distance service, with a Talgo to and from Barcelona through Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Castellón de la Plana and Tarragona, with daily service. It also has a weekly Intercity service with Madrid.

Until 1985 there was a direct connection with the city of Granada and the rest of Eastern Andalusia. It was the so-called Almanzora railway. In recent years, due to the new boom in rail transport, there are plans by the Administration to put the line back into operation with passenger and merchandise transport.

With the new line of the Mediterranean Corridor, Lorca will have a High Speed stop. It will be one of the only two stops, along with Vera, on the Murcia-Almería section.

Airports

The International Airport of the Region of Murcia, also known as Corvera Airport, is located between the Murcian districts of Corvera and Valladolises, 69.5 kilometers from Lorca. Since January 2019, the date of its inauguration, it is the only one in the Region of Murcia that operates civil flights after the Murcia-San Javier Airport, which was operational for fifty years, was left for exclusively military use.

The aerodrome has several international routes with various European countries, both regular flights (whether seasonal or annual) and charter flights, with a national route. Its main competitor is the Alicante-Elche Airport, part of the Aena airport network and located 133.7 kilometers from Lorca.

Roads

• A-7 (Autovia del Mediterranean), between pK 620 and 645, which communicates to Lorca with Andalusia, Murcia and the Valencian Community. Its conventional alternative that crosses the urban center is the road N-340a.
• Autovia Autonomic RM-11 who communicates with Eagles.
• AP-7 (Mediterranean toll booth): Connects Vera to Cartagena.
• Regional road RM-701which connects the urban hull with the pedannia The Fuensanta.
• Regional road RM-711which connects the urban center with Caravaca de la Cruz.
• Regional road RM-332who communicates Mazarron with the RM-11.
• Autovía A-91that connects Puerto Lumbreras with Vélez-Rubio.

Bus

Lorca has an intercity bus service that connects it with other cities such as Murcia, Cartagena, Almería, Granada, Madrid or neighboring Águilas, and different routes that connect it with the main capitals of Spain and the European continent. It receives more than 600,000 passengers each year. The bus station was renovated in 2010 and the building (which has a cafeteria) and the platforms were enlarged, and digital panels were installed. It is located next to the Lorca-Sutullena railway station, in the center of Lorca, with access to Avenida Cervantes.

Urban transport in Lorca is managed by the City Council, and has 8 lines.

Taxis

Lorca has a taxi service, most of the taxi drivers being grouped into three cooperatives: Teletaxi-Lorca, Radio-taxi and TaxiLorca. There are also several ranks throughout the city.

Bicycle

Until a few years ago, bike lanes in Lorca were non-existent, but in recent times the network of bike lanes in Lorca has been growing and expanding.

The La Torrecilla bike lane stretches from the San Antonio neighborhood to the Saprelorca industrial estate, and measures about five and a half kilometers (5,627 m). After its construction, this bike lane received much criticism from of the residents of the area, since its creation had made the shoulder of the road disappear, along which emergency vehicles circulate by connecting the hospital and the fire station with the city. It has also suffered acts of vandalism and sabotage appearing thumbtacks, crystals or oils.

In the urban area there are some cycle streets, such as the Lope Gisbert cycle street and the one on the Carretera de Granada that connects with the aforementioned La Torrecilla bike lane. The City Council plans to build a network of bike lanes that connect all the neighborhoods of Lorca, in addition to studying the conversion of some streets of the city into bicycle streets.

The last lane to be inaugurated was the Cazalla bike lane, which is the longest in Lorca (5718 m).

Notable people

Mural de Iván Molina tribute to the women of Lorca

Twinned cities

• Molins de Rey (BarcelonaBarcelona), Spain.
• Vera (Vera) Almeria), Spain.
• Saint Fons ( Rhone-Alpes), France.
• Mauguio ( Languedoc-Roussillon), France.
• Wilaya del Aaiiun (Aaiún-Bojador-Saguia el Hamra), Western Sahara.
• Adissan, (Occitania), France (2016)
• Orércal-Overa (Almería), Spain (2018)