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 It's carnival time! |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Carnaval is a time for fun, feasting and good cheer in Spain. It occurs in the three days before the commencement of Lent, and the whole country celebrates with street parties, drinking and dancing. Carnaval is not as extravagant and wild in Valencia as it is in other cities, such as Tenerife and Seville, but can still be a lot of fun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Ancient Pagan Tradition |
Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Las Carnestoltes refers to the carnival season in Valencia, which begins in the month of February. It has its roots in paganism, and was celebrated in the old days by putting up straw figures all over in the villages. These were intended to spurn the devil, and were burned on Ash Wednesday with all participants dressed up in varying disguises. Today, the celebrations in Valencia involve costumes, parties, music and dancing, and a general feeling of good cheer reigns over the city. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Anna Boix |
 Long live Saint Bulto |
Plaza de Sant Bult Valencia Spain |
This religious festival commemorates the discovery of an ancient image of Sant Bult (Saint Bulto). The image represents a crucified Christ wearing a crown of thorns and shows a chalice at his feet. Primitive Christians worshipped it before the Muslim occupation of Spain. It lay buried for centuries until it was found under a flagstone by a construction worker called Manuel Navarro during the time of the Reconquest. On the first Sunday of June, the image is carried in procession through the Xerea district to the church of Santo Tomás y San Felipe Neri. Parishioners cover the streets en route with leafy green tree branches as far as Plaza de San Bult where the finale takes place and Saint Bulto is enthroned on a special altar built for the ocassion. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Celebrating the Midsummer Solstice |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Fiesta de San Juan is celebrated all over Spain - it celebrates the arrival of the Midsummer Solstice, and takes place between the June 21 and 24 each year. In Valencia, fireworks, street parties, music, and dancing mark the occasion, much as they do in other cities of Spain. This is a festival that is celebrated in true Spanish style. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrew Jessup |
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Christ arrives by sea |
Grau Valencia Spain |
This popular maritime religious festival takes place on May, 4 in the working class waterfront district of Grau. There´s a procession, Mass, singing and other festivities. A Gothic statue of Christ "The Saviour", made in Lerida in 1411, was washed ashore here. Pope Benedict XIII gave custody of the statue to the parish church of Santa María del Mar. This event commemorates the arrival of the statue. Everything starts in the Puerto when a fleet of boats accompanies the statue to dry land from where it is taken in procession through the streets of Grau. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Religious procession during Holy Week |
Ciutat Vella Valencia 46001 Spain |
The Corpus Christi Procession dates back to 1355 in Valencia. The exclusively religious procession would eventually make room for a more festive parade, with the Capellà de les Roques (literally, the Chaplain of Parade Floats) inviting the entire town to take part in the festivities. The parade is always led by Gigantes ("Giants", figurines normally representing famous kings, queens, typical professions, etc.), and Cabezudos ("Big Heads", large masks that almost cover up the entire body) and an array of characters and personages from both the Old and New Testaments. The stars are the Casa de las Rocas, however. These floats, some of which were built in the 16th century, are the mobile stages for the performance of Misteris, professions of faith as they're known in Valencia. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kevin McGarry  |
 Feast Day of Valencia's Patron Saint |
Plaza de Zaragoza, s/n Valencia 46003 Spain |
San Vicente Mártir's Feast Day is held on January 22. He is the (male) Patron Saint of Valencia. The Saint was killed by order of Roman Emperor Diocleciano in 304 A.D. The cathedral still preserves one of the Saint's intact arms. The main event on this Feast Day is the General Procession to all the religious spots where popular legend has it the future Saint would be martirized. These acts are then followed by a Papal Mass held by the Archbishop in the cathedral. The last event is a mass held according to the Hispano-Mozarabic rites in the sepulchre of the basilica, also known as La Roqueta. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Javier Lopez Vasquez |
 Photo: Cristina Aguilar |
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Religious processions with biblical characters |
Paseo Marítimo Valencia 46011 Spain |
Every year in March or April and specifically in the Cabanyal-Canyameral and Grau districts in the seafaring area of Valencia you can witness traditional Easter Week celebrations, some of which date back to the 15th century. The members of the different religious cofradías (brotherhoods), such as the Pretorians, Sayones (bailiffs), Granaderos (grenadiers), Lonjinos and Penitents (or Vestas), don elaborate costumes or the traditional conical hoods in the case of the Penitents, while others interpret biblical characters such as Mary Magdalene, Salome, Christ and Pontius Pilate. The most important events take place on Holy Thursday and Friday, as well as on Saturday with the trencà de perols and the procession on Easter Sunday. These are all good days to try local cuisine as well, especially paella made with cod and cabbage, marinades of all sorts, and titaina, a stew made from garbanzos, white beans and spinach. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: sergiranzo |
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Sights and Sounds of the City |
Área de Comunicación Av. Cortes Valencianas, 41 Valencia, Valencia 46015 Spain +34 96 339 0390 http://www.turisvalencia.es |
TurisValencia is your one stop spot for everything to do in the city of Valencia. Visit their website for details on shopping, transportation, dining, beaches, and a year round calendar of events. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |