The limited capacity in the citadel causes large queues to access the site
It is the most important monument in the city and every year, coinciding with the Patron Saint’s festival, San Clemente, its eight centuries of history are relived. More than 5,000 people, according to data from the Local Police, recovered yesterday the tradition of celebrating a day of coexistence with family and friends in the surroundings of the 13th century fortified enclosure. The influx of public was constant during the day, animated by good weather, and there were large queues to access the Lorca Taller del Tiempo theme park, which had the capacity reduced to 1,300 people to avoid crowds. The image was very different from last year when, due to sanitary restrictions due to the coronavirus, the events of historical re-enactment were suspended and just over 200 visitors attended.
Health protocols also marked the festive day this year, but to a lesser extent. The use of a mask was mandatory in the fortress, despite being an open-air enclosure, and eating and drinking was prohibited to prevent the spread of the virus.
Due to the large influx of vehicles in the vicinity of the citadel, the Local Police restricted access by car and visitors had to make most of the journey on foot or on tourist trains, which were running throughout the day.
This year the festival coincides with the 800th anniversary of the birth of King Alfonso X the Wise, who had the keep, known as the Alfonsina tower, built at the highest point in the city. The imposing building opened its doors to show visitors the best views of Lorca and the garden.
At noon the skirmish took place in which the fight for the conquest of Lorca was evoked. The groups of the San Clemente Federation staged the taking of the castle by the Christians. To avoid contagion, all the extras wore a mask and the group was less numerous than usual.
Next, the actors of the Guerra Theater Company recreated in the parade ground the act of capitulation of the Almohads before the Christian hosts and the delivery of the keys to the city to the Infante Alfonso, with a text by Joaquín Mateos. The mayor, Diego José Mateos, acted as a witness in the act dressed in a brocade cape like the one used by the old magistrates. Yesterday was the 777th anniversary of this historical event, which occurred on November 23, 1244. The public did not want to miss the medieval tournament in which the horsemen of the Christian troops made a display of their skill with lances.
Of national tourist interest
Journalists from the newspapers ‘ABC’ and ‘La Razón’ and from the publications Viajes National Geographic, Guía Repsol and Hola Viajes met yesterday the patron saint festivities invited by the Tourism Institute of the Region of Murcia (Itrem), within the strategy of the Community to obtain the declaration of National Tourist Interest for the festivities of the three cultures. One of the requirements to present the candidacy is to achieve twenty impacts in the national media.
According to the director of Itrem, Juan Francisco Martínez, told LA VERDAD, the informants were especially interested in the integration of Jewish culture in the festivities and in the Sephardic legacy that the city treasures. They witnessed the historical re-enactments in the castle, toured the synagogue, the Archaeological Museum, the embroidery museums of the White and Blue Steps and the Collegiate Church of San Patricio. They attended the procession of San Clemente and the parade-parade of the medieval history of Lorca and tasted the Lorca gastronomy with Hebrew influence.
.