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October 10 Lorca celebrates the National Day of the Spanish-Speaking World

The national anthem will be played in the most iconic square of the historic city of Lorca

The public holiday of the National Day of Spain (12^th October) falls this year on a Sunday, but in the city of Lorca the annual display of support for the nation and its most important emblems is taking place on the Friday evening in the Plaza de Colón.

This iconic square was actually renamed in memory of Christopher Columbus in 1892, the 400^th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas.

The 12th October has been celebrated since that year as the National Fiesta of Spain, since it was then that the Queen Regent María Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena agreed to a proposal from the president of the government, Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, that it should be chosen in commemoration of the New World. She signed the royal decree on behalf of her son, King Alfonso XIII, and it coincides with the Feast Day of the Virgen del Pilar, who in 1987 was declared the “Patron and Mother of the Spanish-Speaking World” by Pope John Paul II.

The story of the Virgen del Pilar goes right back to the year 40 AD, when it is said that the figure of the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint James the greater while he was preaching the gospel near Zaragoza. She appeared on a pillar of jasper, hence the name given to this apparition.

In Lorca, the council has officially invited everyone to join in the celebration at 19.00 in the centre of the city, where the national anthem will be played (one of the oldest in Europe, having been composed by Manuel de Espinosa in 1761).

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office in the Plaza de España (telephone 968 441914) go to the home page of Lorca Today.

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Plaza de Espana, 30800 Lorca

Tel: 968 441914 (Fax 968 466157)

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

Lorca Tourist Office

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, the Jewish Quarter of the castle and Synagogue, Lorca Tourist Office 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 an earthquake which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 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.

Lorca Tourist Office The tourist office itself has temporarily relocated until the renovations are completed and is on Calle San Patricio near the church.

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 Lorca Tourist Office 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 through agricultural exploitations.

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 Lorca Tourist Office series of parades 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.