Festivals in San Clemente

Discover the main festivals, celebrations and traditions of San Clemente, municipality of Cuenca, in Castile-La Mancha.

Local festivals of San Clemente

The most deeply rooted festival of San Clemente is the pilgrimage of the Virgen de Rus, patron saint of the town, declared of Regional Tourist Interest. Its cycle brings together two great spring days: the Coming of the Virgin and, forty days later, the Day of Rus.

  • Date and duration: The Coming is celebrated on the Sunday following Easter Sunday; Rus' Day takes place on Whit Monday. Between both dates the Virgin of Rus remains for forty days in San Clemente.
  • Route and places: The transfers link San Clemente with the hermitage and the Rus area, about nine kilometers away. Also involved are the Plaza Mayor, the Carmelites convent and the parish of Santiago Apóstol.
  • Traditions: public auction of the litters, exchange of images of the Virgin of Rus and the Virgin of Remedy, race of bearers, pilgrimage between cheers and songs, campaign mass, gala processions and pasodobles.
  • Participación: Brotherhood of the Virgin of Rus, Brotherhood of the Virgin of Remedy, parish, Musical Group, groups of bearers, City Council, security forces, neighbors and visitors.
  • Fair and Festivals: They are usually held from 18 August to 23 and incorporate cultural, musical, sports and popular activities in different urban spaces.
  • Other events: Medieval Renaissance Market during the Rus Day weekend, Religious Polyphony Cycle, Francisco Nieva Regional Theater Festival, Night Painting Contest and Feraga.
  • Local public holidays in 2026: el 25 May, coinciding with the Day of Rus, and the 20 August, within the Fair and Festivals. They are the two local paid and non-recoverable days, not the entirety of both programmes.

As the calendar of Holy Week and Pentecost is variable, the dates of the pilgrimage change every year. The routes, schedules and activities must be compared with current municipal notices.

Sources: Town Hall: history and traditions of the Coming of the Virgin of Rus, Town Hall: festivals and events of San Clemente y official list of local festivals of Castile-La Mancha for 2026.