Until January 5 The monumental nativity scene of Lorca

A lesson in ancient history at the Palacio de Guevara in Lorca!

The city of Lorca is renowned for its depictions of Biblical history during the spectacular processions of Easter Week every year, and it is therefore not so surprising that the municipal nativity scene installed in the Palacio de Guevara is similarly themed.

Among the elements recreated in the patio of the Palacio de Guevara are the Towers of Herod, the library of Celsus in Ephesus and the Roman bridge of Calamocha in the province of Teruel and the towers of Phasael, Hippicus and Mariamme, which are to be found in Jerusalem, making this one of the most educational nativity scenes you could wish for!

Approximately 500 figures populate the tableau, which was visited last year by some 32,000 people, thus vindicating the efforts of the Peña La Jarapa in installing it.

The original towers of Phasael, Hippicus and Mariamme were 50, 43 and 23 metres high and were a symbol of authority and grandeur, while the bridge of Calamocha was on the Roman road from Cástulo to César Augusta.

As for the library of Celsus, it was built between 114 and 125 AD by Celsus’ son, Tiberius Julius Aquila Polemaeanus. It contained around 12,000 scrolls, making it the third largest in the ancient world behind those of Alexandria and Pergamon, and was the place of the burial of the builder.

This nativity scene was first created in 1998 but the tradition in Lorca goes back far further, probably at least to the early 18^th century, when there is mention of the cult of Nuestra Señora del Belén in Aguaderas in 1743. But the custom was brought over from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, having been created by Francis of Asisi in the 13^th century.

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist office at the Palacio de Guevara (telephone 968 441914) or go to the home page of Lorca Today.