ARCHIVED - May 21 Museums Night in Lorca
Free visits, tours, concerts, workshops, tourist train routes, activities and much more on one of the most popular nights of the year in Lorca
In recent years the Night of the Museums has become one of the most popular dates on the calendar in the historic city of Lorca, and as the city embraces the post-pandemic atmosphere a large turn-out is expected at the free events and tours which are being held on May 21.
Many of the museums in Lorca will be open until late at night and there are a host of activities, workshops, live music events and other entertainments scheduled throughout the evening.
There is so much to see and do that it would be impossible to fit it all into one evening (over 70 events and activities are listed!), but the main venues and activities are listed here. The recommendation is to pick up a map and leaflet once in Lorca for further orientation!
The tourist office in Plaza de España is adopting special opening hours for the day (10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to midnight).
The museums and other venues taking part include the Museo Arqueológico, the embroidery museums of the Paso Azul, Paso Blanco, Paso Morado and Paso Encarnado, the Palacio de Guevara, Huerto Ruano; the Teatro Guerra, Plaza de España, Plaza Calderón, Plaza San Vicente, Fondo Espín, the church of Santa María la Mayor, the Centro de Visitantes, the castle, the convent of La Virgen de las Huertas and the Palacio Califal, the Casa del Artesano and the Museo del Belén.
Main venues, events and opening times May 21:
Tourist trains: two routes will be operated from 19.00 to midnight, one between the city centre and the castle and the other from east to west in the centre itself.
The Visitors Centre: Audio guides to the interactive Lorca city guide, open 10.30 to 14.30 and 19.00 to 22.00.
15-minute concerts by guitarist Antonio Aroca on the steps of the centre every half hour from 19.00 to 21.30.
Screening of the “Los Tripulantes del Tiempo” video highlighting the main elements of tourist Lorca at 19.45, 20.45 and 21.45.
Muralla Medieval: Dramatized presentations representing the Moors, Christians and Jews of medieval Lorca, free of charge, from 19.00 to 21.15.
Church of Santa María La Mayor: String instrument concert at 21.00.
Open doors at the current exhibition from 22.00 to midnight.
Lorca castle: the walled garden opens from 11.00 to 18.30 and 19.00 to midnight. The Las Caballerizas del Castillo” café features music from DJ Jorge González from 21.00 to 23.00.
The Torre Alfonsina keep is open with audio tours from 19.00 to midnight.
The 15th century synagogue opens with audio guides from 19.00 to midnight.
Convento Virgen de las Huertas: guided tours of the remains of the Moorish palace discovered below the Convent from 19.00 to 00.30.
Paso Encarnado: Exhibition of the embroidery work behind the new standard of La Expiración which was featured in this year’s Semana Santa processions, open 19.00 to 22.00.
At 19.00 a musical parade ending at 20.30 with a concert in the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre.
Claustro de la Merced: Free concert by Lazarico and Joy Lang at 22.30.
Museo Arqueológico: open 19.00 to midnight.
Children’s workshop activities at 18.00 and 19.00, prior bookings on 968 406267.
MuBBla (musuem of the Paso Blanco Semana Santa brotherhood): open doors day from 19.00 onwards.
21.30: Historical fashion parade in Calle Paso Blanco.
22.30: Video screenings in Calle Paso Blanco.
22.30: Exhibition and explanation of the art of embroidery in the museum.
23.00 and 23.30: Guided tours of the Embroidery Museum and the Capilla del Rosario.
Juan Antonio Dimas scout museum: guided tours by prior reservation.
Embroidery exhibition.
Palacio de los Irurita (Fundación Lorquimur): three exhibitions, “La Resistencia Sonora” by Mary Wilson, “Punk is Dead” by Pablo Je Je and “Retro Retratos” by Crixtina, open from 19.30 to midnight. Prior bookings on 660 409704 or 637 493379.
Plaza San Vicente: Exhibition and display by Scooter Club Lorca, and a concert featuring Octubre at 21.30.
Centro Cultural Espín: Poetry recital at 20.00, alongside exhibitions of paintings by Joaquín Lescases and photographs by Mari Trini Giner.
Madres Mercedarias: Guided tour of the archaeological remains of one of the streets of medieval Lorca, which lies underneath the building. Open 19.00 to 00.30.
Plaza de España: Music and dance groups from Lorca parade through the city centre at 21.00, 22.00 and 23.00.
Projection of giant images at 22.00.
Ex-Collegiate church of San Patricio: Guided tours starting at the door in Plaza de España every 30 minutes from 20.00 to midnight.
Bell tower of San Patricio: This has only recently been opened to the public and groups are admitted every 30 minutes until midnight.
Casa del Artesano: open 20.00 to midnight.
Live workshops and demonstrations including pottery, ceramics, silk and gold embroidery, sculpture etc.
Music from the Escuela Juvenil del Trovo de Lorca every 30 minutes until 23.30.
Exhibition of esparto grass weaving from 20.00 to 22.00.
Museo del Belén (nativity scene museum): open 19.00 to 21.30, prior bookings through the Town Hall website.
Museo Paso Morado: open doors 18.00 to 22.00.
Guided tours and exhibition of embroidery work for groups of up to 10 people.
“Paper Semana Santa” exhibition.
MASS (musuem of the Paso Azul Semana Santa brotherhood): Tours of the chapel which has become the Museo Azul, featuring magnificent embroidery and a representation of “Mero and the first persecution of the Christians”.
Groups of up to 30 people are admitted from 19.00 to 00.15. Those of limited mobility should make prior bookings for the tour at 18.00 on 968 472077.
Teatro Guerra: Guided tours of the theatre every 30 minutes from 20.00 to 23.30.
Plaza Calderón: “Lorca se Mueve” photography exhibition, “Noche de los Museos” photocall, live mural painting to support the people of Ukraine.
Centro de Artesanía: Crafts demonstrations including ironwork, pottery, clay modelling, basket making and others.
Tasting od artisan products.
Live music from Nuevas Mezclas.
Palacio Guevara: Various rooms can be visited and there is live music on the patio from 19.00 to midnight.
Palacete Huerto Ruano: Exhibition “Non è una storia di Gatti” by Emilio Martínez Soria and contemporary dance performances.
Other activities
19.00: the Banda Municipal of Lorca parades through the city. Route: Plaza Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre, Lope Gisbert, Álamo, Corredera, Cuesta San Francisco, Lope Gisbert, Álamo, Plaza de España.
21.30: Illuminated parade starting in Plaza Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre.
21.00 to midnight: live piano music alongside Corredera outside La Confitería.
17.00: 90-minute free guided tour in Spanish of the old city centre of Lorca, bookings here.
Photo booth in Calle Corredera.
Moving statues in Lope Gisbert.
Impro street theatre.
Flashmob event.
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.