Corpus Christi celebrations
Categories: parties and traditions.
TOURISTIC AREA: Historical center
Corpus Christi Festival: a deep-rooted, colourful tradition
Yet again this year, Valencia is going all out to celebrate Corpus Christi, one of the city's most deeply rooted traditions, in which paganism and religion combine to offer the faithful, tourists and the curious a unique cultural event.
The “Amics del Corpus València” association has prepared a special program so that anyone who is interested can join in this festivity.
Take part in the Transfer of the Floats - monumental and spectacular ancient carts, traditional of the Valencian Corpus, which are transported from the Museo de las Rocas to Plaza de la Virgen by decked out horses - and dance to the tune of the dance of the Moma -which symbolizes the struggle between virtue and the seven deadly sins - and of the Giants and Giant Heads.
Join the Banquet Parade, symbolic of the invitation the juries of Valencia sent to officials and townsfolk to attend the Corpus Procession, refresh yourself in the mythical poalà water fight, and enjoy the other activities scheduled to celebrate the fiesta grossa (big party).
Want to know more?
Here's the schedule!
Thursday, June 8
8:00 p.m. — Eucharist and proclamation of the Corpus in the Church of the Patriarch.
Friday, June 9
8:00 p.m. “Transfer of the Floats”, from Alameditas de Serranos to Plaza de la Virgen.
11:30 p.m. “Night of albades (songs)”, with stops at the Archbishop's Palace, the door of the House of Floats and the Floats on display in Plaza de la Virgen.
Saturday, June 10
Noon. In the streets of Cabillers and Avellanas, traditional “Pendja de poals” (Hanging of the buckets) from the balconies to “attack” the soldiers of King Herod in the Banquet Parade the next day, one of the most fun-filled moments of the Corpus festivities.
6:00 p.m. On the stage on Plaza de la Virgen, “Performance of the mysteries”. This year, it is being put on by the students of the School Esclavas de Maria on Ayora Street, who will perform the Mystery of St. Christopher, the Mystery of King Herod and the Mystery of Adam and Eve.
7:30 p.m. Concert dedicated to the Corpus by the A.C. Grup De Dolçainers I Tabaleters El Cudol, directed by Antonio de la Asunción.
11:00 p.m. Extraordinary concert of the Municipal Band of Valencia in Plaza de la Virgen. The band will play typical pieces from the festival, including the symphonic poem "Es chopà hasta la moma", by Salvador Giner, based on a poem in Valencian by Luís Cebrián Mezquita, which describes the Solemn Procession of the Corpus as it passed through the streets of Valencia on June 9, 1746, when a great storm was unleashed.
Midnight. “Night of Partying”, parade by Carrera Font de Sant Lluis Musical Group, in the opposite direction as the procession, with music by the band and with the necessary stops to present prizes for decorated Store Windows, Balconies and Facades.
Sunday, June 11
10:30 a.m. Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral. At the end, at the Hierros Gate, handing out of blessed bread to the faithful leaving the Eucharistic Celebration, in memory of an ancient tradition.
Noon. Banquet Parade.
7:00 P.M. Solemn Procession, embodying biblical and traditional characters. It will leave the Cathedral through the door of the Apostles, and continue via Plaza de la Virgen, then Cavallers, Tossal, Bosseria, Mercat, Maria Cristina i Sant Vicent, Lluís Vives, Mar, Avellanes, and Palau streets, and Plaza de l'Almoina to the cathedral.
Wednesday, June 14
7:30 p.m. Corpus Dances in San Miguel de los Reyes.
Don't miss this celebration of great cultural symbolism, where Catholic and festive customs combine to offer the public a unique celebration.
Manual ringing of bells - UNESCO Heritage
On the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi, the association of bell ringers of the Cathedral will ring the bell manually several times from the Miguelete. The manual ringing of bells was recognized an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2022. If you want to see it live, you can book your spot at this link.
There will be manual ringings on June 10 at noon, 5:30 and 8:00 p.m., and on June 11 at 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., at noon, 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., and from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Space in the bell tower is limited, so there are only 25 spots for each ringing. Don't wait too long to book your spot and enjoy this unique experience!
Details
- Event dates
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From:
08-06-2023
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To:
11-06-2023
SCHEDULE
Friday 4 June
- 9.00 am Transfer of the rocas (floats) from House of las Rocas to Alameditas de Serranos Garden.
- 10.00 am Presentation of bouquets to the main authorities.
- 8.00 pm Transfer of the rocas (floats) to Mare de Déu Square, where they will remain on display.
- 11.30 pm Night of albades (songs) and dances between House of las Rocas and the Archiepiscopal Palace, along Serrans and Cavallers streets and in Mare de Déu Square.
Saturday 5 June
- 7.30 pm Re-enactment of the mysteries of the Corpus in Mare de Déu Square.
- 11.00 pm Concert by the Valencia Municipal Band in Virgen Square. Conducted by Rafael Sanz Espert, with the following programme:
PART I
Don Gil de Alcalá (Act I) Manuel Penella.
Blasco Ibáñez Mendo - Fuster - Garcia y Soler.
PART II
‘L’Entrà de la Murta’ (Valencian march) Salvador Giner.
‘El Ruiseñor de la Huerta’ (intermedio, Valencian rhapsody) Leopoldo Magenti*.
‘Es Xopà hasta la Moma’ (symphonic poem) Salvador Giner.
Hymn of the Valencian Community Maximiliano Thous - Jose Serrano.
(*) In commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
Midnight Night of festivities, street procession with marching band following the inverse parade route, and presentation of decorated balconies awards.
Sunday 6 June
- 9.00–9.30 am Ringing of the bells from Miguelete Bell Tower.
- 10.30 am Pontifical Mass in the cathedral.
- Noon Cabalgata del Convite parade with invitation to the festival by the chaplain of the rocas (floats), Corpus dance exhibition and the Degolla (group of participants representing Herod's soldiers). Route: Manises Square, Cavallers, Mare de Déu Square, Micalet, Reina Square, Cabillers, Avellanes and L’Almoina Square.
- 12.00–12.30 pm Pealing of the bells for the Feast of Corpus Christi from Miguelete Bell Tower.
- 4.30 pm Parade of the rocas (floats), running along the following streets: Cavallers, Tossal, Mercat, Maria Cristina, Sant Vicent, Mar, Avellanes and up to the Palace. They return to House of las Rocas via Avellanes, Mar, Pau, General Tovar, Tetuan, Temple, Pintor López, Comte de Trènor and Els Furs Square.
- 5.15 pm Departure of the carts of myrtle.
- 5.30 pm Departure of the gigantes (giant costumed figures) and Nanos, Magrana and Moma dances.
- 7.00 pm Formal procession. Route: departing the Cathedral by the Door of the Apostles, Mare de Déu Square, Cavallers, Tossal, Bosseria, Mercat, Maria Cristina, Sant Vicent, Reina Square, Mar, Avellanes, Palau, L’Almoina Square and Cathedral entrance.
- 7.00–9.00 pm Pealing of bells from Miguelete Bell Tower.
