Lorca unveils new item of embroidery heritage
The main embroidery museums of Lorca are open to visitors all year round
The exquisite embroidery of Lorca is one of the most important elements in the city’s tangible cultural heritage, and as of this week a new item can be added to the catalogue of embroidered treasures in the form of the chasuble which has been created for the priest José Miguel Jiménez Atiénzar.
The chasuble was officially presented on Tuesday 30th July at the church of San Francisco, having been embroidered on blue velvet by members of the Hermandad de Labradores, commonly known as the “Paso Azul”, one of the brotherhoods who organize the famed Easter Week processions in Lorca. Along with the chasuble are a full set of accoutrements including a stole, a maniple, a chalice and an altar cloth. All feature gold thread embroidery and the whole set has taken the embroiderers a total of 793 man hours to decorate.
Most of this time was spent on the chasuble itself, with a variety of decorative motifs including bunches of grapes, leaves and references to the eucharist. On the front are a heart pierced by seven swords, representing the Virgen de la Caridad (the patron of Cartagena) and the anagram of Mary Crowned (the emblem of the Agrupación del San Juan Marrajo), while on the back are the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Christogram JHS and the cross of Santiago, the patron saint of Spain.
Embroidery museums of Lorca
The two main embroidery museums in Lorca are the MuBBla, the museum of the Paso Blanco, and the MASS, the museum of the Paso Blanco.
Click on the links for further information about each of them!
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

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. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.
Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.
Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!
In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.
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 inspoilt 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.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
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





























