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November 14 to 24 The annual Fiestas de San Clemente in Lorca
Processions, a medieval tournament and historical reenactments during the annual San Clemente fiestas in Lorca
The feast day of San Clemente on November 23 has been observed a local holiday in Lorca since the Saint was adopted as patron of the city. This decision was made because it is said that it was on this date that Lorca was “liberated” from Moorish rule in 1244, despite historians casting considerable doubt on the accuracy of the assertion, and nowadays the fiestas in honour of San Clemente are more a celebration of the cohabitation of Muslims, Jews and Christians in the Middle Ages as well as a series of reenactments of supposed historical events.
The program for the 2025 fiestas includes the following:
Friday November 14
20.30: Re-enactment of the triumphant entrance of Prince Alfonso of Castilla into Lorca in 1244. The procession begins in Las Alamedas, and procedes along the Alameda de la Constitución, Calles Presbítero Emilio García, Calle Lope Gisbert and Calle Álamo to the Plaza de España.
21.00: The official opening speech of the fiestas in the ex-collegiate church of San Patricio, given by Iñaki Echeveste. After this, the keys of the city are handed to the Virgen de las Huertas traditional song and dance group and they perform in the Plaza de España.
Sunday November 16
10.30: The annual Patrón de Lorca cross country race up to the castle begins in Plaza de Calderón. Click here for further information.
12.00 to 18.00: A day of conviviality with the Federación San Clemente outside the La Merced visitors centre.
November 17 to 21
17.00: Worship of San Clemente at the former Collegiate Church of San Patricio.
18.00: Holy Mass.
11.00 to 13.00: Open days at the church of Santa María La Mayor, the home of the CiuFRONT medieval museum (except 19th November).
Tuesday November 18
20.30: Floral offering to San Clemente at the former Collegiate Church of San Patricio.
Thursday November 20
20.00: The liturgy of the Miracle of the Cross in the church of San Cristóbal.
20.30: The Bathing of the Cross, a re-enactment of the miracle worked by the Holy Cross of Caravaca in Lorca in 1384, bringing an end to a time of plague and drought. Venue: Plaza de la Estrella in the district of San Cristóbal.
21.00: Torch-lit procession to the castle of Lorca. Route: Plaza de la Estrella Puente de La Alberca, Calle Santo Domingo, Calle Lope Gisbert, Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, Calle Santa María and up to the castle.
The event commemorates the reconquest of Lorca by Christian forces.
22.00: Hot chocolate and sponge cake at the castle.
Friday November 21
12.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens in Calle Álamo, Plaza de España, Calle Santiago, Calle Juan II, Glorieta de San Vicente and Calle Corredera.
21.30: Folk metal music from Finnway and Landevir in the Plaza de España.
Saturday November 22
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens.
11.00 to 13.00: Open day at the church of Santa María La Mayor, the home of the CiuFRONT medieval museum.
17.00: The procession of the figure of San Clemente begins as the statue leaves the former collegiate church of San Patricio. Route: through the medieval market, Calle Álamo, Calle Lope Gibert, Calle Príncipe Alfonso, joining the rest of the procession in the Plaza del Óvalo.
18.30: The grand medieval history parade of Lorca, commemorating the years between 713 (when the Moors took control of southern Spain) to 1488. Route: Avenida Juan Carlos I, from the Óvalo to Huerto Ruano (Calle Floridablanca). Seats are free of charge but are likely to be taken early!
20.00: The return of San Clemente to the church of San Patricio, the sculpted figure is carried back to its home along Calle Floridablanca, Calle Lope Gisbert, Calle Álamo and into the Plaza de España, where it enters the church through the main door.
The event is accompanied by music from the Cuadrilla de Auroros de Lorca.
20.00: The 19th annual “Ciudad del Sol” folk festival at the IFELOR venue with the Coros y Danzas Virgen de las Huertas de Lorca group. Guest performers Grupo de Danzas Postiguet de Alicante and the Asociación Cultural Xaréu d’Ochobre de Avilés (from the northern region of Asturias).
Sunday November 23
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens.
11.00 to 13.00: Open day at the church of Santa María La Mayor, the home of the CiuFRONT medieval museum.
ACTIVITIES AT LORCA CASTLE
12.00: Re-enactment of a skirmish between Moors and Christians in front of the Torre del Espolón. Admission free of charge.
12.30: Re-enactment of the capitulation of the Moorish troops in 1244 in the central courtyard of Lorca castle, performed by the theatre company of the Teatro Guerra. Admission free of charge.
13.00: A medieval tourney in the central courtyard of Lorca castle. Medieval knights in valiant combat as they test their fighting skills. Admission free of charge.
14.00: Paella for all after the tournament.
18.30: A concert to celebrate the 10th anniversary of “Jewish Lorca” at the church of Santa María la Mayor.
Monday November 24
11.00 to 23.00: The medieval market opens.
12.00: Mass in honour of San Clemente at the church of San Patricio, with music from the Santa Cecilia choir.
13.00: Indoor procession of the figure of San Clemente in the church of San Patricio.
Thursday December 18
20.00: Although the fiestas have ended some time ago, the lighting of the Hannukah at the remains of the synagogue in Lorca castle are included in the programme.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office at the Palacio de Guevara (telephone 968 441914) or go to the home page of Lorca Today.
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
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. 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.
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
See what's on in Lorca:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
