June 12 to 14 Cheese Fair in Lorca
A treat for lovers of fermented curd at the IFELOR venue in Lorca
The Palacio de Ferias y Congresos “Alcalde Francisco Jódar Alonso” at the IFELOR complex in Lorca is holding the city’s first ever Cheese Fair affiliated to the European Cheese Route, bringing quest cheesemakers from all over Spain and allowing cheese fans in the Region of Murcia to enjoy a cheese tour of the country!
The municipality of Lorca has recently joined the European Cheese Route, a new initiative which at present features cheeses only in Spain and Portugal, where it is represented by local brands such as Quesos El Roano, La Zarcillera and Alimer, all of which have won prizes in international competitions.
Other locations and types of cheese represented at this event include Idiazabal, Mahón-Menorca, Torta del Casar, Zamorano, Arzúa-Ulloa, San Simón da Costa, Manchego, Castellano, Payoya, Sierra de Málaga, Tentudía, Acehúche, Huesca and Ourense.
The programme for the weekend includes the following:
Friday June 12
18.00: “Queso y salud: Deshaciendo mitos” (Cheese and Health: Deconstructing Myths), a talk with tastings.
19.00: A tasting of goat cheeses produced by the El Señorío de Monesterio cheese makers, accompanied by verdejo wine.
20.00: A tasting of cured cheeses produced by the S’Arangi.
Saturday June 13
12.00: “El arte de comer queso” (The Art of Eating Cheese), a talk with tastings.
13.00: A tasting of cheeses produced by the Campovieja cheese makers in Castilla-La Mancha, accompanied by D.O. Rueda wine.
14.00: A tasting of “pañoleta” cheeses produced by the Los Barrancos cheese makers, accompanied by vermouth.
17.00: A tasting of cheeses produced by the local El Roano cheese makers, accompanied by white wine.
18.00: A tasting of goat cheeses produced by the Gaia Gourmet cheese makers, accompanied by godello Godello wine.
19.00: A tasting of semi-cured goat cheeses produced by the La Covacha cheese makers, accompanied by manzanilla wine from Sanlúcar.
20.00: A tasting of sheep cheeses produced by the El Manojar cheese makers, accompanied by craft beers.
Sunday June 14
12.00: Cheese-tasting workshop.
13.00: A tasting of San Simón da Costa cheeses produced by the Prestes cheese makers, accompanied by Albariño wine.
Top image: europeancheeseroute.eu
Image 2: lazarcillera.com
For more visiting information, local events and news 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. Amongst these are Lorca Castle, Plaza de España, the former Collegiate church of San Patricio, the municipal archaeological museum, the Casa Huerto Ruano, the Palacio de Guevara and the churches and convents of San Francisco, San Mateo, the Virgen de las Huertas, La Merced, El Carmen and many others.
Unfortunately, Lorca has been prone to natural disaster, suffering a severe flood in 1973 which killed 50 people, and a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as a series of earthquakes, the most recent of which was 5.3 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011 and claimed 9 lives.
Lorca also has an area of unspoilt coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala Calnegre and various others. Although only one is accessible by road others can be reached along dirt tracks!
In terms of fiestas, Lorca is synonymous with Easter (Semana Santa), its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status being famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of parades in which the whites (Paso Blanco) and blues (Paso Azul) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.
In the Autumn Lorca also celebrates the Fiestas of San Clemente and a Feria and there are a series of important events throughout the year in the Recinto Ferial, as well as a busy cultural and sporting programme.
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 inspoilt 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
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