Virgin de los Desamparados ~ Patron Saint of Valencia
The Virgin de los Desamparados (Mare de Déu dels Desamparats) is one of two Patron Saints of Valencia, the other is San Vincente Martir.
The Virgin is also know as Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken) and is honored and celebrated throughout the month of May.
To reach Plaza de la Virgen from Plaza de la Reina (where the front of the Cathedral is), you just walk through the archway attached to the church and on the right is the Basilica. It was built on the site of a Roman temple between 1652 and 1667 by Diego Martínez Ponce de Urrana.
The Patron of Valencia is fondly known as La Geperudeta. The reason for this is that the beautiful statue of her inside the church tilts slightly forward giving the appearance she is a little hunch-backed. There is a mechanical devise which allows the statue to revolve.
Opening Times : Monday to Sunday 7:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 21:00
Festival of Our Lady of the Forsaken (Fiesta de la Mare de Deu de Valencia)
The celebration in honor of the Patron of Valencia takes place on the second Saturday/ Sunday in May.
8 pm Ceremony for the Virgin at the Real Capilla (Royal Chapel).
11 pm Concert by the Municipal Orchestra in Plaza de la Virgen.
00 am Fireworks display in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Followed by the Gran Dansà (the Great Dance) and Cantà d’Albaes (traditional songs) in honour of la Mare de Déu (with the collaboration of the Associació de Cant Valencià) in the Plaza de la Virgen.
Second Sunday of May
5 am Descobertar mass in honour of the Sacred Image at the Royal Chapel.
8.00am – This is followed by the children’s service (Misa de Infantes)
10.30am – Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados makes her journey under a heavy shower of flower petals in El Traslado ((the ceremonial transfer of the Image of Our Lady from the Royal Chapel to the Cathedral). The statue of the saint is carried by her followers in a procession of flower petals from the Basílica, around Plaza de la Virgen, C/ Miguelete, Plaza de la Reina, through La Puerta de los Hierros (the Cathedral iron door). At the end of the festival the entire square is a blanket of flowers.
2 pm Mascletà at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
6:30 pm The Traditional Procession. The Procession route: Plaza de la Virgen, Caballeros, Tossal, Bolsería, Mercado, Mª Cristina, San Vicente, Pza. de la Reina, Mar , Avellanas, Palau, Almoina.
Plaza de la Virgen is in the Old Quarter of Valencia surrounded by cafés and bars.
Just behind the square is the trendy area of Barrio del Carmen and Calle Caballeros. There is a vibrant nightlife in this area of Valencia and San Jaume’s bar/cafè is a great place to start the evening.
Enjoy the atmosphere with a drink on the open air terrace. The area is full of terraces and restaurants and bursting with life during the evening. During the day it’s much more peaceful.
You may also like:
Valencia Walking Tours
Valencia Attractions
Valencia Accommodation
|
|
|
|
