The fountain, street furniture and green spaces in the atrium of the Iglesia de Santa Gertrudis were renovated as part of a comprehensive municipal project. The municipality reported on this on 15 January 2026. The atrium therefore offers a concrete glimpse of a recent change to the townscape.
Fiestas and their dates
The 3rd and 4th of February, as well as the period from 16 to 18 November, are reference dates for the Fiestas de Santa Gertrudis. The dates can vary from year to year. So, if you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates for the relevant edition. The Fiestas include activities and games for children, as well as pétanque competitions for men and women; the programme may also vary from year to year.
The Fiestas de la Candelaria in Santa Gertrudis were announced for 23 to 25 January 2026. This information refers to the announced dates in January 2026.
Festive meals and tortada
The festival tradition has two distinct culinary elements. On the feast day in honour of Saint Gertrude, residents hold a communal meal featuring the classic dish arroz con pava, or rice with turkey. There is also an elaborately decorated meringue tortada, which is offered as a raffle prize to raise funds for the festivities. In this way, a communal meal for residents and a contribution to the festivities through the raffle go hand in hand.
Pilgrimage, music and gatherings
Local customs include a long pilgrimage through the fields of Marchena and Tercia. During the pilgrimage, the procession can stop in individual neighbourhoods and at houses at the residents’ request. These stops therefore depend on the residents’ wishes and should not be assumed to follow a fixed sequence.
The Cuadrilla de Santa Gertrudis de Tercia is associated with Christmas singing and pasodoble and folk dancing. In addition, musicians from the Cuadrilla de La Hoya performed traditional dances from Lorca, including jotas, malagueñas and parrandas, during a pilgrimage through the surrounding fields.
The traditional Encuentro de cuadrillas de Santa Gertrudis also has a clear time reference: it was revived after several years without being held. The municipality reported on it on 5 March 2026. The gathering was part of a cultural programme featuring a total of ten cuadrilla gatherings between November and March across the municipality of Lorca; Santa Gertrudis was one of the venues. If you would like to attend a future edition, check the dates for the relevant period.
The Camino de las Ermitas
A user-submitted route description, uploaded on 4 June 2019, gives the third section of the Camino de las Ermitas as 16.88 kilometres one way. The route starts at the Ermita de Santa Gertrudis and passes several other hermitages before reaching the Ermita del Burruezo. As this is a one-way route, include the return journey in your plans. Before setting out, also check the trail conditions and accessibility.
Discover more destinations: La Cueva, El Esparragal, Zarcilla De Ramos, CeutĂ, El Moral, Los Alcázares, Alhama De Murcia, El Espinardo
For the wider travel overview: Murcia.
