Looking for Lorca
One of the most famous artists to come out of Granada is Federico García Lorca. A playwright, a poet and theatre director, born in 1898.
Since reading ´La Casa de Bernada Alba´ for A Level Spanish Literature I´ve always been curious about Lorca. This spring I decided to delve into the world of Federico García Lorca and share my findings with you.
Birthplace of Lorca, Fuentevaqueros
The logical place to begin the route was at the Birthplace of Federico García Lorca. This house in Fuentevaqueros where he lived for most of his childhoodis just a short drive from Granada. (22kms) This is called the Casa Natal in Spanish.
The visit around the house is at a specific time with a tour guide. As you walk through the home you see its original furnishings. Up in the attic (3rd floor) this was used as a granary, has now been converted into an exhibition area. Each year there are different themes and pieces on show. When I visited March 2016 the play of Doña Rosita was the subject displayed.
From this home, a short walk along the main road you will find the Centro de Estudios Lorquianos. This small exhibition space also has some items on show and is a good place to wait if you have a while until the next tour.
Guided tour timings:
Casa Natal
Closed on Mondays and Sunday afternoons
April to June 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm 5pm and 6pm
July and September 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm
October – March 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm 4pm and 5pm
I would recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before the tour begins.
Address: C/ García Lorca, nº 4 18340 Fuentevaqueros
Centro Federico Garcia Lorca
Back in Granada, in July 2015 the Centro de Federico Garcia Lorca opened in the Plaza Romanilla. (Close to Granada cathedral) This cultural centre aims to promote and educate on the works of Federico Garcia Lorca. It has exhibitions and different events over the year.
The main exhibit which is the manuscripts and documents of Federico García Lorca are due to be kept here. At the moment this archive hasn´t arrived. It is hoped that this will be transferred in 2017. 5000 original manuscripts are expected to complete this cultural centre.
On 8th & 9th of May they have the play Blood wedding on at the auditorium there.
More information about Centro Federico Garica Lorca here
Huerta de San Vicente
The highlight of my Lorca was the Huerta de San Vicente His father purchased this building in 1925. A summer residence outside the city (now it´s located in the city itself) They lived there until 1936. Declared a public park in 1995 named after the poet ´Parque Federico Garcia Lorca´ It is on Calle Arabial with Calle Virgen Blanca.
The guided tour is done in Spanish, but just ask and the guide will kindly explain in english too. The furniture is original and there are some paintings and photos in the house too. In one of these rooms where Lorca wrote several of his most important works were written here.
To take the guided tour its 3€ for Adults and 1€ for children
Open Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays
Open Mornings 9:15am – 2:15pm
January, February, March, October, November, December.
Afternoons 4:00pm – 7:00pm
April, May, from June 1st to 14th, September 16th to 30th
Afternoons 5:00pm – 8:00pm
from June 15th to September 15th
Mornings 9:15am – 2:15pm
Other Notable places
There are several other important places in Granada with references to the poet. Just to name a few the Patio de los Aljibes inside the Alhambra, The Manuel de Falla Museum, Carmen de los Martires and the hotel Alhambra Palace. The hotel was the location where the first competition of Cante Jondo was presented and in 1929 where Lorca premiered his Mariana Pineda play.
Restaurante Chikito
The restaurant opposite Fuente de las Batallas in the city centre previously was known as el Alameda. From 1915-1929 this café where Lorca and his literary friends would meet to recite poetry and socialize.
La Casa de Bernarda Alba
In Valderubio Lorca would spend his summers until 1925. The house can be visited from Tuesday to Satruday in the mornings 10am to 2pm.
More information: Museo Lorca Valderrubio
Flamenco in Generalife
To keep alive the spirit of Lorca each year in the Generalife a summer open air show is set up. Remembering the Cante Jondo competition in 1922 which Lorca created, the most relevant event in Spain of the time. Nowdays a Flamenco performance is held on summer nights in the gardens of the Alhambra in July and August.
For more details and tickets: Lorca y Granada
Me Vuelves Lorca
In Laroles in the Outdoor theatre built in the Alpujarras. They have a summer programme which includes Lorca too.
For more information about the project: Me Vuelves Lorca
Cortijo del Fraile
The Cortijo del Fraile in Nijar Almeria was an inspiration for the play Blood Wedding. Bodas de Sangre. This building was actually where the real life events took place. This was built by dominican monks but passed to private owners in 1836.
A young woman lived with her father here in the 1920´s. Her father promised her hand in marriage to an agricultual hand, Casimiro. However she was already in love with her cousin, Francisco. They decided to run off together one summer night in July 1928. Francisco came on horseback to take her away, soon after eloping they were found out by the Casimiro´s family. They waited for them at a crossroads with guns. Francisco was shot and died. The bride was badly injured but survived.
To visit the Cortijo del Fraile in the Cabo de Gata area, drive to the town of Los Albaricoques and continue along the road 5 kms.
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