The Casa de Guevara in Lorca reopens to the public as a museum

The palatial residence contains antique furniture from the last 350 years and important works of art

Almost 13 years after the Casa de Guevara was closed to visitors after being damaged in the earthquakes which hit the city of Lorca on 11^th May 2011, the palatial residence has now been fully restored and converted into a museum which will be opened to the public this Wednesday, 28^th February.

Entering through the main doorway, built in the style of an altarpiece, they will be able to admire decorative elements and furniture, some of which date back to the time of the first residents, Juan de Guevara García de Alcaraz and his wife, Isabel Pérez de Meca. The collection is housed in the finest example in Lorca of the baroque architecture of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, a palatial home which was inherited by the family for nine generations until the last resident, Concepción Sandoval Moreno, died and left the property to the city.

Among the features inside are the contents of the old pharmacy of José Sala which used to be at Calle Álamo nº 2, whole in the “Salón Amarillo” ballroom the yellow upholstery of the furniture catches the eye, along with the baroque mirror dated 1702-1704.

The “Sala del Estrado” houses a collection of paintings by the local artist Pedro Camacho Felizes, and in another room are oil paintings by Frans Francken II, while visitors can also see the Salón Rojo, with a collection of old fans including one which depicts the Constitution of 1812, and the Salón Verde, with a series of family portraits.

On top of this there are also exhibits of antique chinaware and glassware belonging to the family and a Madonna by Giovanni Battista Salvi, whose works can be seen in many of the most important mueseums and galleries in Europe, including the Prado and cities such as Berlin, Florence, Milan and Venice.

Initially the museum of the Casa de Guevara opens its doors to all visitors for two weeks, after which guided tours will be offered.

Timetable for the two-week "open doors" period until March 10: 17.00 to 19.30. Bookings through lorcatallerdeltiempo.com and lorcaturismo.es, or a tthe tourist offices in Plaza de España, at the castle and at the Centro de Visitantes.

From March 12 the guided tours will cater for groups up to 15:

Tuesday to Sunday open 10.30 to 14.00, tours at 11.00, 12.00 and 13.00. 

Tuesday to Saturday open 16.30 to 19.00, tours at 17.00 and 18.00.

Price 5 euros per person.

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