November 15 to December 1 Chato Murciano pork and bacon gastronomic festival in Lorca

Traditional Murcia specialities are on the menu at around 20 Lorca restaurants

The Chato Murciano is a breed of pig which is a native of the Region of Murcia and is the only surviving native of the common pig species. In the past it was an important source of nourishment for those living in Murcia and there were over 100,000 specimens a century ago, but it then fell out of favour as it was crossbred with the Victoria, Tamworth, Large White and Berkshire breeds.

Now, however, this black species is experiencing something of a revival as gastronomes seek out the traditional dishes made using its meat, and in Lorca the annual Jornadas Gastronómicas del Chato Murciano are being held between November 15 and December 1.

Around 20 restaurants are taking part, including Gastrobar Cañarejo, Taberna La Cepa, Cervecería Las Columnas, Restaurante Polonia, Parador de Lorca, Pizzería D’Antojo, El Pescaico & Lo Nuestro, La Alacena de Braulio, Mesón Lorquino, Phelans Irish Pub, Venta San Julián, Restaurante Paredes, El Parloteo (Plaza de Abastos), Restaurante Tebeo, Restaurante Alameda, Restaurante Los Cazorlos and the Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo de Lorca (IES San Juan Bosco), all of them offering special dishes and hoping to be voted into the final at the Escuela de Hostelería y Turismo de Lorca.

For more local events, news and visiting information consult the tourist office (in the Plaza de España, telephone 968 441914) or go to the home page of Lorca Today.