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Date Published: 21/04/2025

Holy Week in Lorca exceeds all expectations with more than half a million visitors

Despite the unpredictable weather, Lorca’s hotels, bars and restaurants were packed to capacity

Lorca’s mayor, Fulgencio Gil Jódar, has hailed this year’s Holy Week celebrations as “a resounding success,” praising the incredible turnout that filled hotels, bars and restaurants, even when rain clouds threatened to wash out the parades.

“I would like to thank and congratulate all the people whose contributions have made it possible for us to celebrate a Holy Week marked by excellence and spectacularity,” he said, commending the Brotherhoods and Confraternities for their dedication during uncertain weather on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

Far from being dampened by the rain, the celebrations reached new heights, with public exhibitions, premieres of religious pieces and vibrant processions that brought the city to life.

"Unique processions," the mayor called them, full of stunning staging and cultural richness that attracted a record-breaking number of visitors.

In fact, Lorca welcomed more than half a million people throughout Holy Week, far exceeding the original estimate of 300,000. Hotel occupancy hit 100%, seat sales for the parades sold out and the city’s shops, restaurants and streets were packed with both locals and tourists enjoying the festive atmosphere.

“Lorca's attractions during Holy Week have diversified, and we have ensured that visitors and tourists can enjoy our festive and cultural offerings every day,” he pointed out.

That strategy clearly paid off and even on days with less-than-perfect weather, thousands poured into the city, with hotels fully booked and restaurants buzzing with activity.

Visitor numbers at information points exceeded 12,000, excluding museum and castle visits, which suggests people are staying longer and exploring more of what Lorca has to offer. The city welcomed visitors from every corner of Spain and beyond, with Madrid, Alicante and Barcelona topping the national list and France, the UK, Belgium and Germany leading the international arrivals.

Behind the scenes, emergency services were on high alert and responded to 35 incidents, including a life-saving moment during the Procession of Silence. A 45-year-old man collapsed and stopped breathing, but thanks to the quick intervention of an off-duty emergency worker and a rapid response team, his life was saved.

A team of hundreds worked tirelessly to keep the city running smoothly, from police and firefighters to cultural and cleaning crews. More than 1.2 million kilos of waste were collected, including 65 tonnes from the streets alone, a testament to the huge crowds Lorca hosted.

Even international officers from France and Italy joined the city’s police force to help manage the influx of foreign visitors.

And the celebrations didn’t go unnoticed as local, regional and national media covered the events extensively, with social media playing a big role in showcasing the city’s passion and pride.

“Even with the inclement weather, these celebrations have been a resounding success. We've already got down to work for next year and, if possible, we’ll surpass a Holy Week that shone brightly and remains the best Holy Week ever,” the mayor concluded proudly.

For more local information, including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Lorca Today

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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.