May 16 Night of the Museums in Lorca

Great shows and spectacles, free entry to sites of historical and architectural interest, fun for children and a huge range of entertainment as Lorca shows off its overwhelming wealth of cultural heritage!

La Noche de los Museos is being held all over Spain and the Region of Murcia this year on Saturday 16^th May, and in Lorca more than 80 cultural and tourist activities are being held as the city proudly shows off its fascinating historical, artistic, cultural and architectural heritage.

32 venues are involved in the celebrations, which begin at 17.30 and last right up until midnight (with children’s activities generally being set aside for the slot between 17.30 and 19.30).

Among the highlights of the evening are the following:

- “Viaje Espacial”, a space-themed drone spectacle taking place at midnight in the sky above Lorca, featuring images of various historical figures and scenes representing the stars, constellations and other images.

- “Lullaby”, a family circus-style show presented by the Proyecto Kavauri company in the Plaza de Calderón

- The “El Prado en las calles” exhibition, featuring high-quality prints of works of art found in the world-famous Prado art gallery in Madrid on display in the streets and squares of Lorca

- The Lorca Symphony Orchestra in concert with Eva Marín in the cloisters of the La Merced visitors centre, presenting “Un viaje de cine”, a selection of popular cinema theme music. (La Merced offers  audiovisual displays from 17.30 to 22.00 with the last admissions at 21.30).

Throughout the evening the local tourist authorities are offering a Night of the Museums “passport” (“pasaporte de la Noche de los Museos”) which allows holders access to some of the attractions outside the heart of the city, such as the Santuario Patronal Santa María la Real de las Huertas, the nativity scene museum (Museo del Belén), the Semana Santa museum of Paso Encarnado and the institutions in the old quarters in the highest part of Lorca.

This passport can be stamped and then presented at the tourist office in the Palacio de Guevara until midnight, with those doing so entering a prize draw in which 10 double tickets for theatre performances in Lorca during the coming autumn will be awarded to the winners.

Elsewhere there are a host of concerts, workshops, theatre and circus performances, craftsmanship displays and demonstrations, live music events, historical reenactments, family activities and others, in and around museums, churches, exhibition spaces and other sites of historical heritage.

One new venue added this year is the former church of San Pedro, one of the oldest in Lorca, dating back to the 15^th century. Having undergone recent restoration, the building houses an exhibition showing its history as well as boasting one of the best viewing points out over the city of Lorca.

Among the better-established museum spaces of Lorca, the Palacio de Guevara, which has proved immensely popular since its restoration and re-opening after the earthquakes of 2011, is holding guided tours every 15 minutes, while outside in the patio a Video Wall 360º display is being set up for the evening.

In the former Collegiate Church of San Patricio guided tours are being held of an exhibition of the religious artwork associated with the devotion to the sculpted figure of Jesús Resucitado created by Roque López (1747-1811), with visits beginning at 20.00, 20.30, 21.00, 21.30, 22.30 and 23.00.

Other places of interest open free of charge throughout the evening include the fascinating Municipal Archaeological Museum, the Semana Santa embroidery museums of the Paso Blanco and the Paso Azul, the Palacete del Huerto Ruano, the Casa del Artesano, the Centro Regional para la Artesanía (next door to the Palacio de Guevara), the church of Santa María la Mayor (ciuFRONT medieval museum), the Coso de Sutullena bullring, the Jewish quarter and synagogue at Lorca castle and the keep of the Torre Alfonsina, also at the castle.

Throughout the evening tourist trains are running to make the short trips between destinations even easier: the two main routes are open from 19.30 to 00.30, while a children’s train connects the venues hosting family events between 17.30 and 19.30.

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.