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Ambitious plans for the Ciufront Medieval Museum in Lorca have hit a major delay, with organisers confirming that the much-loved museum will not be ready to open its doors for regular visits until November 2026. This timeframe is set to coincide with the city’s patron saint festivities for San Clemente.

 

Located in the heart of the historic centre, the Ciufront Medieval Museum is housed in the former church of Santa María la Mayor. The museum brings together a unique blend of archaeological treasures and immersive exhibitions, telling the story of Lorca’s Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities across the centuries.

 

Luis Torres del Alcázar, president of the San Clemente Federation, said this week that while the museum’s transformation in the Gothic church is already 60% complete, an extra 500,000 euros is still needed to finish the exhibition spaces and cultural content.

 

He described the next steps as “a very ambitious project”, with special emphasis on the creation of a technologically advanced gallery dedicated to the 14th century, designed to both surprise and engage future visitors. He recalled the “game-changing” impact of the virtual recreation of the church’s original altarpiece, destroyed during the Civil War but brought back to life through projection on the original surface.

 

Until the funding is secured and the full vision realised, the museum will only open on special occasions such as the annual patron saint celebrations. The San Clemente Federation is committed to excellence and prefers to wait for the right resources. To date, 480,000 euros have been invested in restoring the church’s interior, with city and regional subsidies making these improvements possible.

 

In the meantime, Lorca continues to promote its rich medieval and Jewish heritage. As part of the European Days of Jewish Culture, a lively event titled “Dialogues at ciuFRONT: Hanukkiah, Jacob’s Jar” will take place at the medieval museum on Saturday September 13 in the morning.

 

This gathering aims to shine a spotlight on the museum’s fascinating Jewish works by sharing stories and peculiarities, including the significance of the two Hanukkiahs cared for by the Federation, and the origins of Lorca’s own Festival of Lights. “This initiative is added to the rest of the programme planned in Lorca for these Days, with the aim of promoting and making visible the rich Jewish legacy that is an essential part of European history and identity, consolidating Lorca as a national benchmark in the dissemination of the Sephardic legacy,” said Santiago Parra, Councillor for Culture.

 

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to attend, with organisers promising an interactive and revealing experience.

 

For now, Lorca’s journey towards a world-class medieval museum is a waiting game, as the city strives to secure the support and funding needed to deliver its ambitious vision in full.

 

 

Image: turismoregiondemurcia.es