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As recently as November 2023 the Town Hall of Lorca announced a 2.6-million-euro plan to restore the old church of San Juan and recover its interior architecture with baroque decoration, making full use of a place of worship which crowns the Lorca neighbourhood to which it gives its name as a centre that would host socio-cultural activities.
Now, though, the Mayor of the city, Fulgencio Gil Jódar, has appealed to the national government of Spain to carry out emergency repairs on the structure following the latest damage caused by the heavy rain of the last three weeks, and which has brought about falling masonry. In consequence the remains of the church have been cordoned off in order to protect the population and the Mayor maintains that the rehabilitation of the building is a commitment entered into by the Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana.
Unfortunately, though, the Ministry’s spending is hampered at present by the difficulties being faced in approving the national State budget in parliament, jeopardizing the availability of the funds needed.
The church of San Juan dates originally from the 15th century and was rebuilt in the 17th century. Initially it belonged to the late Gothic period, but it no longer presents any features of that time because it had to be rebuilt after the earthquake of 1647. In the past, the Town Hall has explained that “it has special importance for the City not only because it is an important monument, but because in its origins, in the 15th century, the Council met in its atrium”, although of the primitive Gothic church only its cylindrical tower remains, “which was a crenellated watchtower until the second half of the 18th century, which was later adapted as a bell tower.”
The decline of the church of San Juan came when the Former Collegiate Church of San Patricio gained importance in the city. The destruction of the images that adorned the main altarpiece, the parish archive and all its documents, occurred around the time of the Badajoz massacre of August 14, 1936 during Spain’s Civil War, and after the conflict San Juan disappeared as a parish church.
During the earthquakes of May 11, 2011, it suffered additional damages to the dilapidation already suffered.
For more local information, including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Lorca Today.
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The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.
Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.
The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!
However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
