Feast of Saint Vincent Ferrer

Discover the essence of Valencia in honor of its patron saint. A city wrapped in tradition, children's miracles, and popular fervor that pays tribute to the figure of Saint Vincent Ferrer.

Valencia celebrates its patron saint

The festivities are held on the second Monday of Easter, filling the city with altars. These monumental stages, scattered across various neighborhoods, are the soul of the Saint Vincent Ferrer festival in Valencia. The city has more than a dozen associations that keep the tradition of "los Milacres" alive, where children perform the miraculous deeds of the Dominican saint in verse and in the Valencian language.

Program of events
San Vicente Ferrer

Origin of a secular tradition

Devotion to Saint Vincent Ferrer emerged following his canonization in the 15th century and became consolidated as the patron saint of Valencia. His fame as a wonderworker is the engine of this festival: neighbors built altars in the places where the saint performed healings or miracles as a sign of gratitude. These spaces evolved from simple images on facades to the current stages, where children perform the "Milacres" (miracles), keeping alive a tradition that is a pure cultural treasure.

San Vicente Ferrer

The Vincentian altars

Discover the ephemeral stages where devotion and children's theater go hand in hand to keep the history of Saint Vincent Ferrer alive in every neighborhood of Valencia.

What are the altars and the milacres?

The altars are the heart of the festival and its most iconic element. These are monumental stages set up in squares where children perform the "milacres", small theatrical pieces in verse and in the Valencian language. These plays recreate the wonders attributed to the saint, turning Valencia into an immense open-air theater. These are centuries-old associations that protect this tradition, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, ensuring that the patron saint's legacy passes from generation to generation.

Location of the altars in the city

  • Altar del Carmen: Plaza del Carmen.
  • Altar del Mar: Plaza San Vicente Ferrer.
  • Altar del Mercat: Plaza del Mercado.
  • Altar del Mocadoret: Calle Tapinería.
  • Altar del Ángel Custodio: Iglesia del Ángel Custodio.
  • Altar de la calle de los Niños de San Vicente: Calle San Vicente esquina con En Sanz.
  • Altar de la Pila Bautismal: Plaza de la Virgen.
  • Altar del Pilar: Plaza del Pilar.
  • Altar de la Playa: Parroquia San Vicente Ferrer.
  • Altar de Ruzafa: Iglesia de San Valero.
  • Altar del Tossal: Plaza del Tossal
San Vicente Ferrer
San Vicente Ferrer

Main events of the festival

Performance of the winning miracle

On Saturday at 11:00 a.m., the Plaza de la Virgen hosts the performance of the winning miracle from the official contest. After the show, prizes are awarded to recognize the children's efforts to preserve the Valencian language and verse. The Cathedral's surroundings provide a unique solemnity to this gathering where culture and faith intertwine before hundreds of citizens who admire the talent of the young actors.

Artisanal gunpowder and the "a l'antiga" fireworks display

On Sunday night, the Serranos Bridge recaptures the essence of pyrotechnics with the "castell de pals". A manual-technique fireworks display that evokes the fires of past centuries in front of the Serranos Towers. It is a tribute to the roots of the craft, where the rhythm of the gunpowder depends on the skill of the master artisan in a magical atmosphere.

The great day of devotion

The second Monday of Easter begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Pontifical Mass in the Valencia Cathedral. Following the ceremony, the Flower Offering winds through the city center from the City Hall to the Birthplace House. Altars, brotherhoods, and the Central Vincentian Board participate in a parade full of color. As a grand finale, Plaza de Tetuán vibrates with the mascletá that gathers thousands of people after the offering concludes.

Milacres, procession and lowering of the saint

Monday afternoon returns the spotlight to the neighborhoods with the performances of the "milacres" at each altar. As evening falls, the Solemn General Procession passes through the historic streets with the main authorities. The event concludes in the Plaza de la Almoïna, but the festival continues in the associations. At night, the traditional lowering of the saint's image takes place, an intimate moment that closes the celebrations in Valencia.

San Vicente Ferrer
castillo de palos
San Vicente Ferrer
San Vicente Ferrer Valencia

Saint Vincent Ferrer's Birthplace Museum

Visit the birthplace of the patron saint, a place full of history and spirituality popularly known as the "Pouet de Sant Vicent". 

A journey to the origin of the Dominican Saint

Visit the house in Valencia where the saint was born in 1350, known as the Pouet de Sant Vicent. This emblematic building preserves the miraculous well and a Gothic church with an altarpiece by Vicente Rodilla. You will be able to admire the famous ceramic panels that narrate wonders such as the "Mocadoret" or the "Sabateta". A haven of peace and history in the city center that keeps alive the memory of the patron saint and his miraculous legacy.

Visit the house
Museo Casa Natalicia de San Vicente Ferrer

Manual bell ringing: World Heritage

To celebrate the festival, the Cathedral's Bell Ringers Association will perform several manual ringings from the Miguelete tower. This tradition was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2022.

If you want to experience this unique event live, you can request a spot. Please note that the space in the bell tower is limited, and there are only 25 spots available for each ringing.

Book your spot
Campanas Miguelete Valencia

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