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The Casa del Artesano in Lorca
A centre of centuries-old craftsmanship in the city of Lorca
Craftsmanship in Lorca has a long and rich history. In the past, most of the artisan workshops were established in what is now the historical and artistic centre of the city, an area of great splendour in the 18th century and now, in the 21st century, once again a hive of activity where skilled workmen and women turn out the highest quality hand-crafted products.
The Pósito de los Panaderos
The Casa del Artesano, or Craftsmen’s House, is located in the former warehouse used by bakers, the “Pósito de los Panaderos”, to distribute grain and bread as long ago as the 16th century. This Renaissance structure was built alongside the Moorish city wall, and was also used by butchers, standing right behind the Casa del Corregidor, which served as the Town Hall until the 18th century.
The oldest part of the building dates back to 1552, when King Carlos I granted the city a licence for its construction. On the façade which looks out into the Plaza del Caño is a coat of arms sculpted in stone by Sebastián de Bocanegra, featuring the imperial shield in the centre, flanked by the former seals of the Council of Lorca.
This battered façade collapsed in 1760 and had to be remodelled but the interior, with its stone arches and sturdy wooden beams, is still in its original condition. The building was enlarged in the 18th century by the addition of a third floor.
The design of the building was by Jerónimo Quijano, who also collaborated in the design and construction of the former Collegiate Church of San Patricio and the cathedral of Murcia, and it has also been used to administer tax collection in Lorca and the surrounding countryside, and to grant and register loans.
It was used to house the Municipal Archive before being converted to the Casa del Artesano in 2020.
The Casa del Artesano today
The current trend in craftsmanship is to create new products of traditional inspiration or completely new products of great decorative value, combining artistic merit with skilled craftsmanship.
In Lorca, clay, glass, wood, fabrics and textiles are all handcrafted, but the most prized articles are traditionally those in silk and gold thread.
Within the building items of ethnographic interest are also kept, and this has become a meeting point for all the craftsmen of the municipality, where products that continue to be made by hand in the more than 30 artisan workshops present in the town are exhibited.
The Casa del Artesano organises activities for all audiences, with exhibitions, demonstrations, talks and training on different crafts.
Distribution
Ground floor: Permanent exhibition of unique pieces and utensils from the artisan history of Lorca.
First floor: Access to the visitor reception and to the “Interpretation Centre” of Lorca handicrafts.
Second floor: The “Master Artisans' Hall” is used for workshops and craft courses, as well as temporary exhibitions.
Contact
Casa del Artesano, Antiguo Pósito de Panaderos, Plaza del Caño 5, 30800 Lorca, Murcia
T: (34) 968 320896
W: artelor.es
E: casadelartesano@lorca.es
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.
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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