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Lorca spruces up its beaches for summer in the sun
The beaches of Lorca will be cleaned daily throughout July and August
Summer officially starts in Spain this Saturday June 21 and Lorca City Council is well prepared. The always popular Calnegre beaches have been thoroughly spruced up with a deep clean, new bins, footbaths, watchtowers, bathrooms, walkways and shaded areas for people with reduced mobility.
A daily maintenance crew will make sure the beaches are kept spic and span throughout July and August as well.
“We have completed the work to prepare the beaches of Lorca, with the aim of ensuring that they are in perfect condition for the start and development of this new bathing season,” María Hernández, Councillor for the Environment, said during a trip to Calnegre on Monday June 16.
"The Lorca Government is fully committed to offering Lorca residents and visitors clean, safe, and environmentally friendly beaches. This is a joint effort that not only improves the experience of those who enjoy the Lorca coastline, but also protects and preserves the extraordinary scenic and environmental value of our Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre Regional Park," she added.
She also indicated that the City Council has awarded a contract for the provision of cleaning, maintenance and equipment installation services for a total amount of €65,890.06.
The Councillor explained that the work included an initial sweep to remove accumulated waste outside the summer season, as well as enhanced daily maintenance during the busiest months of July and August. Sand cleaning and screening, controlled collection of seaweed—with its return to the beach of origin if necessary—and cleaning of the Ramonete urban area will also be carried out.Furthermore, she explained that, in terms of infrastructure, "this year we are taking another step forward in accessibility, with the installation of adapted chemical toilets and shaded areas specifically designed for people with reduced mobility, as we want our beaches to be inclusive and safe for everyone.
"Municipal equipment has also been installed on the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Cala de Calnegre, Cala del Siscar, and Cala del Baño de Las Mujeres, including containers, access walkways, footbaths, lifeguard towers and chemical toilets."
New signs have been erected advising swimmers where boats, jet skis, kayaks and the like may be in use. In Calnegre Beach and Cove, red, yellow and green buoys demarcate the areas.To further improve safety without compromising the privacy or enjoyment of beachgoers, the authorities will use drones to discreetly monitor the beaches.
New facilities, facilities, beach by beach:
- Puntas de Calnegre Beach: five 90-litre plastic containers, one rubber walkway and two chemical toilets (one conventional and one adapted).
- Cala de Calnegre: two metal bins, one footbath, two wooden walkways, a shaded area for people with reduced mobility, a Civil Protection watchtower and one adapted toilet.
- Cala del Siscar: one metal container, two 90-litre plastic bins and two wooden walkways.
- Cala del Baño de Las Mujeres: one metal bin, one plastic container and one wooden walkway.
"We invite all Lorca residents and visitors to enjoy our coastline, with more than ten kilometres of pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, its wonderful nature, and also the great and varied cuisine offered by the Puntas de Calnegre restaurants this summer," the Councillor concluded.
For more local information, including news and what’s on, go to the home page of Lorca Today
Images: Ayuntamiento de Lorca
Address
Calle Lope Gisbert, 12, LorcaTel: 968 441914
Oficina de Turismo de Lorca
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. Among 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 two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 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 relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).
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 along difficult tracks or by boat!
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 processions 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 historic castle.
Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:
Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).
These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today
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