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On Wednesday May 11 Lorca once again remembered the victims of the major earthquakes which struck the city in 2011, causing the loss of 9 human lives and irreparable damage to many residential buildings.
In addition, over 320 people were injured and the restoration of some of the historical monuments of Lorca is barely completed.
An official remembrance service was held on Wednesday alongside the monolith which stands in the Parque 11 de Mayo, an area which was opened only a year ago in the district of La Viña (the “ground zero” of the 2011 earthquake damage). A minute’s silence was observed, and music was provided by the woodwind sextet of the Banda Municipal de Música de Lorca.
Both the Mayor, Diego José Mateos, and Deputy Mayor Francisco Morales were present and remarked on the significance of this anniversary, Sr Morales calling it “the worst catastrophe of our lifetime in Lorca”, a tragic day which “broke our municipality but united all those living in it!.
As Sr Mateos pointed out, repairing the material damage has cost over 1,000 million euros, and a few people are still owed compensation for their losses. Restoration projects still pending include work budgeted at 316,000 euros on the paintings in the sanctuary of the Virgen de las Huertas and the repairs to the church of San Juan, which is scheduled to begin soon.
The Lorca earthquakes of 2011 (click here for image gallery)
The Lorca earthquakes of May 11, 2011, were the largest registered in modern history in a seismically active area which has a history of tremors, written records of activity dating back to 1579.
Other major tremors in this area of the Alhama fault line include those of 1579 (magnitude 7), 1674 (magnitude 5-6), 1783 (magnitude 6 to 7), 1818 (magnitude 6-7) and 1977 (magnitude 6).
The first of the 2011 quakes occurred at 15.05 local time, registering 4.5 on the Richter scale, with the epicentre slightly to the north-east of the city, causing a fire within Lorca and frightening residents, who ran out into the streets as buildings shook. A series of 6 minor tremors followed and members of the regional government rushed to the scene as a press conference was called.
Then at 16.47, the second quake struck, this time measuring 5.1. The epicentre was very shallow, less than 1km below the surface, so the impact on the city was considerably more intense and extensive damage was registered and the tremor was felt throughout Murcia. In total, the event released a surface energy (Me) equivalent to over 200 tonnes of TNT.
Many residents were in the streets and 9 people died as masonry slid from the walls of modern buildings and cornicing fell from the top of apartment blocks, one building collapsing with the victims inside. A Military Emergencies Unit was despatched to the city and an encampment set up in the Huerto Ruano fairground area for the thousands who were warned not to return to their homes overnight.
Aftershocks went on for weeks and damage was also registered in other municipalities along the fault line, including Alhama de Murcia and Totana. The field camp remained open for weeks, caring for those with nowhere else to go, while Águilas absorbed the bulk of the homeless population.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today.
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, 
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.
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 
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 
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.
Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the complex of its historic castle.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
