Schedule of events for the Feast of Our Lady of the Forsaken

Want to learn about a traditional Valencian festival? On the second Sunday in May, Valencians have an appointment with the Virgen de los Desamparados (Lady of the Forsaken), the city's patron saint and popularly called La Geperudeta. She is called that because she tilts her head slightly to look at people, which makes it look like she has a small hump or “chepa”, hence this affectionate nickname. 

This festival is celebrated with special devotion by Valencians, even more so this year due to the observance of the centennial of the virgin's coronation. Take a look at the schedule of events and see what tickles your fancy.


Schedule of events Virgen de los Desamparados


Thursday, May 11

8:00 pm. Children's dance featuring the Fallas children's group of Valencia and its court of honor, accompanied by the group Tabal i Dolçaina of the Fallas Central Board. Next, Plaza de la Virgen will also host a performance of the play Verge de folls by playwright Juan Alfonso Gil Albors.


Friday, May 12

8:00 pm. The original image of the Virgin Mary departs from the Basilica to the Cathedral, in a procession with a recitation of the Rosary. This is a special event, organized to observe this Jubilee Year, since the original image only leaves the sanctuary on rare occasions: the last time was 9 years ago, on April 5, 2014, with the “Mission Magnificat”, and before that in May 1961, on the occasion of its proclamation as the main Patroness of the Valencian Region, also on Puente del Real.

10:00 pm. Dance by the dance groups of the Fallas commissions, featuring the fallera mayor of Valencia and its court of honor, accompanied by the group Tabal i Dolçaina of the Fallas Central Board. 


Saturday, May 13

11:00 am. Procession of the centennial of the pontifical coronation of the Virgin, which will include a main act in front of Puente del Real and conclude with a pyrotechnic show.

The image will leave through the Puerta de los Apóstoles de la Seo and pass by Plaza de la Virgen, L’Almoina, El Salvador and Trinitarios streets and then Plaza del Temple to reach Puente del Real.

The commemorative event will include the singing of the Serrano Hymn “Valencia Canta”, the Coronation Hymn and the premiere of the Centenary Hymn of the Coronation. In addition, several speeches will be given - one of them by the Archbishop - and the "Crown of Charity" will be presented to the Patroness by the rector of the Basilica "on behalf of all Valencians and worshippers who made donations to the social work of the Basilica".

At the end of the event, the original image will be taken in a procession back to the Basilica, from Plaza de Tetuán, on Calle de la Paz, Plaza de la Reina and Calle de la Barchilla, and it will be returned to its niche in a private act. 

6:30 pm. Dance with dance groups from local villages performed by the Cultural Association School of Tabal i Dolçaina Russafa-fa.

8:00 pm. Manual ringing of the bells in the Miguelete.

10:00 pm. Concert by the Municipal Symphony Band of Valencia in Plaza de la Virgen

11:30 pm. Nighttime mascletà pyrotechnics in Plaza del Ayuntamiento by Gironina.

Later, also in Plaza de la Virgen, there will be dancing featuring the dance groups of the city of Valencia, and a cant d’estil recital in collaboration with the Folklore Federation of the Valencian Community.


Sunday, May 14

05:00 am. Mass of the Uncovering

08:00 am. Children's Mass in Plaza de la Virgen.

10:30 a.m. The Virgin is moved to the Cathedral.

12:00 pm: Pontifical mass in the Cathedral.

124:00 pm. Mascletà pyrotechnics by Vulcano in Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

6:00 pm. Procession from Plaza de la Virgen through Caballeros, Tossal, Bolsería, Mercado, Mª Cristina, San Vicente, Plaza de la Reina, Mar, Avellanas, Palau, Almoina.

Cantata dedicated to the Virgen de los Desamparados performed by Ainhoa Arteta at the initiative of the Tuna de Derecho, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Serenade to the Virgin by university student music groups and the Centennial of the Coronation of the Mare de Déu.

Manual tolling of the bell, Unesco heritage

On the occasion of the feast of the Virgen de los Desamparados, 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. 

The bell will be rung manually on May 12 at 4:30 and 8:00 pm; on May 13 at 7:30 and 11:00 am, and on May 14 at 10:30 am, 12:00 and 6:30 pm and during the procession, from 7:30 to 9:45 pm.

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!