Everything about Lorca totally explained
Lorca is a city in southeast
Spain, in the autonomous community of
Murcia. It has a population of 89,936 (year 2006), up from the 2001 census total of 77,477. Lorca is the municipality with the second-largest surface area (after
Cáceres) in Spain with 1,675.21 km² (646.8 sq mi).
History
The region around Lorca was already inhabited by the Iberians during the
Bronze Age (
El Argar culture). Lorca was probably called
Eliocroca by the
Romans and
Lurka by the
Arabs. The old part of the town, made up of narrow streets and alley-ways, achieved its present shape under
Islamic rule.
During the
Reconquista, Lorca was a dangerous border town, caught between the Spanish kingdom of
Castile and the Moorish kingdom of
Granada. The square tower of homage of the city fortress can be seen from many points of the town. It was named
Torre Alfonsina after King
Alfonso X of Castile.
Tourist attractions
During the 18th c., a number of
baroque churches were built in Lorca. Together with the noble houses in the old town, which are currently being restored, they make up a decent set of historical monuments.
From the 19th c. on, religious processions or marches have been taking place during the
Holy Week every year. The processions in Lorca are unique for their atmosphere, a blend of gaiety and devotion. Roman soldiers and
quadrigas take turns with
baroque statues of saints and with amateurs playing
Cleopatra,
Nero, the
devil and other biblical and historical characters riding
floats inspired in ancient locations.
As the
medieval fortress is intended to be converted into a state-run hotel (
Parador Nacional), excavations were carried out on site by way of
power shovels. After the remains of a
synagogue and a Jewish ghetto were found near the fortress, the work has been continued despite massive protests by prominent archaeologists.
Economy
After most of the land and water supplies had been held for centuries by a minority of landowners and by Roman Catholic
religious orders, Lorca began a period of sluggish economic growth during the 1960s.
Still today, its economy is largely based on agriculture and stockbreeding (pigs), although its service industries make it the commercial capital of the surrounding area. In recent years, Lorca has experienced a population growth because of peasant immigration, mostly coming from
Ecuador and
Morocco.
Environment
Lorca formed around the Guadalentín river (in Arabic "mud river") in a quite arid valley. In fact, agriculture heavily depends on water transferred from the
Tagus river in Central Spain. Irrigation channels were laid out all over the country by the
Moors during the
Middle Age.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lorca'.
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