November 15 to December 1 Chato Murciano pork and bacon gastronomic festival in Lorca

Traditional Murcia specialities are on the menu at around 20 Lorca restaurants

November 15 to December 1 Chato Murciano pork and bacon gastronomic festival in Lorca The Chato Murciano is a breed of pig which is a native of the Region of Murcia and is the only surviving native of the common pig species. In the past it was an important source of nourishment for those living in Murcia and there were over 100,000 specimens a century ago, but it then fell out of favour as it was crossbred with the Victoria, Tamworth, Large White and Berkshire breeds.

Now, however, this black species is experiencing something of a revival as gastronomes seek out the traditional dishes made using its meat, and in Lorca the annual Jornadas Gastronómicas del Chato Murciano are being held between November 15 and December 1.

Around 20 restaurants are taking part, including Gastrobar Cañarejo, Taberna La Cepa, Cervecería Las Columnas, Restaurante Polonia, Parador de Lorca, Pizzería D’Antojo, El Pescaico & Lo Nuestro, La Alacena de Braulio, Mesón Lorquino, Phelans Irish Pub, Venta San Julián, Restaurante Paredes, El Parloteo (Plaza de Abastos), Restaurante Tebeo, Restaurante Alameda, Restaurante Los Cazorlos and the Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo de Lorca (IES San Juan Bosco), all of them offering special dishes and hoping to be voted into the final at the Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo de Lorca.

For more local events, news and visiting information consult the tourist office (in the Plaza de España, telephone 968 441914) or 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.