College of Saint Patrick

The former Collegiate Church of Saint Patrick in Lorca (although it is still commonly referred to as such), is a Renaissance-style building declared a Historic-Artistic National Monument by decree on January 27, 1941. The Collegiate Church is the cornerstone of the monumental complex of Plaza de España, along with the Town Hall of Lorca, the Palace of the Corregidor, and the chapter houses. This is the most important church in Spain dedicated to Saint Patrick of Ireland, although it is not the only one, as is often mistakenly claimed. The dedication to the Irish saint originates from the Battle of Los Alporchones, fought on March 17, 1452 (Saint Patrick's Day), which saw the citizens of Lorca and other parts of the former Kingdom of Murcia (Crown of Castile) battle Muslim forces from Granada, who had ravaged the Cartagena region. Construction began in 1533 by Papal bull from Pope Clement VII, on the site of the old Church of Saint George. Despite numerous issues, it was completed in 1780 following the plans of Jerónimo Quijano, master builder for the Diocese of Cartagena. Designed with cathedral-like grandeur, its interior includes three naves, twelve side chapels between the buttresses, a choir and rear choir, ambulatory with radial chapels, and a bell tower at the apse. The large transept is also noteworthy.