The Holy Week of Lorca is distinguished from the rest by its biblical parades. Everything has its meaning if we travel back in time. The Church wanted to celebrate its Christian festival again after the confiscation of Mendizábal, but at that time it had no religious images to carry in its processions. The idea was to represent the Life, Passion and Death of Jesus through a living representation.
Renaissance, barroque or medieval: which Lorca do you like best?
Lorca is known for its baroque legacy visible in its historic centre. History has made its way through centuries and the city now has many vestiges of the past that tell the events that took place in its streets. There is so much to see in Lorca (a town in the province of Murcia) that tourists cannot get bored. Examples include its archaeological sites and certain places of cultural interest: the Porch of San Antonio, the Torre del Espolón, the Columna Miliaria, the walled-in city and much more.
Churches and convents from the thirteenth to the fourteenth century, military fortresses, palaces and stately homes such as the Palacio de Guevara and even its cobbled streets that the visitor will find in the Plaza de España all add to the impressive artistic heritage of the city and you should not miss its popular architecture.
Now, one of the biggest claims of Lorca is in its popular festivals, with Easter in Lorca being one of its most attractive. It was declared to be of International Tourist Interest and it’s highly recommendable that in your Easter breaks you want to make a visit to Lorca with its rich cultural legacy and its beautiful craftsmanship available in the Centro Regional para la Artesanía (Regional Crafts Centre).
Easter in Lorca, an original setting
On Avenida Juan Carlos I, boxes are installed to see the main Easter processions in Lorca. Thus, Friday of Sorrows, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, parades take place along this street with thousands of extras representing scenes from the Old and New Testaments, while people cheer them on their way.
The characterisation of those involved is unique, with standards and embroidered mantles in gold and silk that are considered Assets of Cultural Interest. The processions take place throughout the whole Easter week in Lorca, with characters that we all know very well, belonging to different biblical events such as Nero, Mohammed, Cleopatra, and more. Some of the most outstanding parades represent the "Biblical Courtship", acts that take place on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Two rival brotherhoods (one white and one blue), the overflowing passion of Lorca and the biblical parades with floats, characters, horses and chariots all remain embedded in the memories of those who visit Lorca at this most special of times.