Lorca

Lorca is a city in southeast Spain , in the autonomous community of Murcia . With a population of 84,245 (year 2004), Lorca is one of the most extensive municipalities in Spain (1,676 square kilometers).

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 amateur actors playing Cleopatra , Nero , the Devil and other biblical and historical characters.

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 .

The excrements produced at pig farms pose a big threat to the environment that has not been cleared yet.

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Lorca