Museo del Belén de Lorca

The Museo del Belén de Lorca, located in the Ermita de San Roque y San Sebastían

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This little museum is set inside the Ermita de San Roque, the oldest surviving Christian building in Lorca.

Although the church itself was first consecrated in the 14th century, the museum opened for the first time during the Christmas season of 2014, and was inaugurated following the first living nativity representation to be held in the city.

The museum opens during the festive season when the municipal belén (nativity scene) is installed in the Palacio Guevara.

The exhibition inside shows several of the elements which have been prepared for municipal beléns over a period of years, as well as a selection of sculpted pieces by  Ramón Cuenca, including a magnificent representation of the temple of Isis, rock temple at Petra and the Hebrew city.

The tradition of making eleborate nativity scenes depicting the key stories in the bible relating to the birth of Christ is one which has been practised in Spain for centuries, the scale and intricacy of each belén dictated by the financial circumstances of the home/public place in which it is displayed.

The wealthy commissioned vast sculptural works from the principal artists of their period, while those with limited means made naive pieces using whatever materials they had at their disposal. Beléns in public places are generally on a large scale and this museum contains some truly outstanding pieces of modelling, all made by the dedicated Asociación Belenista de Lorca.

The Ermita is a walk of about 10 minutes from the main city centre and it is highly advisable to pick up a map from the tourist office as the building is in the twisting streets of the old quarter in Lorca. There is a parking area higher up in the city alongside calle Albaricos, but the journey is easier on foot, from the church of San Francisco via calle Narciso Yepes, la Plaza Alcolea and calle Ana Romero. This is a fairly steep climb, so wear suitable shoes and don´t attempt to bring up a wheelchair or companion with limited mobility.

The museum only opens for general visits during the festive period and details of opening times are generally included in the Christmas programme which is posted in the agenda and scrolling feed below when available.

The Association will open for group visits at other times of the year by prior appointment.

The Belenistas de Lorca can be contacted by calling 650 88 96 67 ( Spanish only) or via their web ( belenistasdelorca.com)

Alternatively, contact the Tourist Office in Lorca

Click for further information about the Lorca municipality, including what's on, what to visit and tourist information: LORCA TODAY