Festivals in the Virgin of Yecla

Yecla dedicates its December festivities to the Purísima Concepción, also known as Virgen del Castillo. The celebration preserves the form of an ancient display of weapons: a company of harquebusiers accompanies the image among gunpowder, music, religious ceremonies and a ritual regulated since the 18th century.

Celebration date

The main cycle begins 5 December with the approval. Continue with the Walk on day 6, the Descent on day 7 and the Day of the Virgin on 8 December. After a novena, the Upload returns the image to the Castle Sanctuary on the corresponding Sunday according to the calendar of each edition.

8 December, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, is a national public holiday. Other days may be declared local holidays in Yecla for a specific edition, but that decision depends on the work calendar approved each year.

Places and routes

The Sanctuary of the Castle, on the hill, and the Basílica de la Purísima are the two religious poles. The Descent leads the image from the sanctuary to the city; The Climb takes the reverse route along the Barco de Ávila promenade. The Plaza Mayor, the Plaza de España, the Plaza Concejal Sebastián Pérez and the streets of the centre also participate in the parades, flag games and ceremonies.

Also consult the Festivals in Yecla.

Historical origin

The origin dates back to 1642, during the War of Catalonia. A company of sixty-one Yecla militiamen, led by Martín Soriano Zaplana, was quartered in Vinaroz and returned without casualties. Tradition remembers that the men went up to give thanks to the Virgin venerated in the Castle and made a display in her honour.

In 1711 the Descent of the image was established on 7 December and its return after the festival of the Immaculate Conception. The Ordinances of 1786 established in writing the ceremonial of the soldiery, the days and the festive authorities, and preserved the use of the gunpowder with only gunpowder by authorization.

The soldiery and its insignia

The Martín Soriano Zaplana Company is organised into squads and reproduces elements of the old council militias. Participants wear a jacket and bicorn hat and shoot muzzle-loading muskets under established safety regulations.

The Mayordomos represent the insignia of the Staff and the Flag, assisted by pages, sergeants, assistants, corporals, clavarios and harquebusiers. The flag game and gunpowder discharges accompany the main moments of the ritual.

Main events and traditions

Beneplácito: formal request to the municipal authority to start the festivities and authorize the display.
Paseo: training day, tour and company events.
Alborada y Bajada: Ascent of the soldiers to the sanctuary and accompaniment of the Patroness to the Basilica between volleys of musketry.
Virgin's Day: religious function, proclamation of clavarios and procession of the Purísima through Yecla.
Minerva y Subida: ceremony in front of the Basilica, return of the image to the Castle and final presentation of insignia to the new Mayordomos.
Offering of flowers, salves, flag games and meetings around traditional foods such as gachasmigas.

Organisation, participants and recognitions

The Association of Butlers of the Purísima Concepción guards the ritual and organises its events with the collaboration of the Yecla City Council and other institutions. The soldiers, Mayordomos, clavarios, pages, porters, authorities, musicians, parishes, neighbors and visitors participate.

The Festivals of the Virgin are declared Festival of International Tourist Interest and are considered an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest. Both recognitions refer to its historical, ceremonial and community uniqueness.