LORCA

town, Murcia province and autonomous community (region), southeastern Spain. It is situated along the Ro Guadalentn in a semiarid and steppelike area that is surrounded by rugged mountains. The town, which sits on both banks of the river, was the Ilurco (Ilukro) of the Romans and the Lurka of the Moors. It was the scene of numerous battles between Christian and Moorish forces and was finally recaptured by Alfonso X the Wise in 1243, after which it became a Christian stronghold. The old part of Lorca surrounded the remains of its Moorish castle. The new sector is centred on the Calle (street) de la Corredera and contains houses with coats of arms on their walls dating from the 18th century, as well as the church of Santa Mara Real de las Huertas, which was allegedly built on the spot where Alfonso pitched his first tent before retaking the town. The municipality includes the industrial area of San Cristbal and the San Juan farming district (cereals, fruit growing). Local pasturelands support cattle, sheep, mules, and donkeys, and livestock fairs are held in the Santa Quiteria suburb. Irrigation has been practiced since Moorish times; water rights are sold annually in the Casa del Alporchn. Pop. (1981) 60,627.