Festivals in Magdalena de Castelló de la Plana

The Magdalena Festivals are the founding festivals of Castelló de la Plana. For nine days, the city symbolically remembers the transfer of the settlement from the Magdalena hill to the coastal plain through pilgrimage, proclamations, bagpipes, music, gunpowder and participation of the festive sectors.

Celebration date

Comienzan el third Saturday of Lent and last nine days, until the following Sunday. Due to depending on the liturgical calendar, its dates change every year. The Romeria de les Canyes is celebrated on the first Sunday and the closing comes on the second Sunday with the final parade and the Magdalena Vítol.

The holiday in itself is not equivalent to nine working holiday days: the non-working days are determined each year in the official work calendar.

Places and founding route

The Plaza Mayor, the Co-Cathedral of Santa María, the Fadrí and the streets of the centre concentrate proclamations and parades. The pilgrimage leaves the urban centre and ascends to the hermitage of Santa María Magdalena, next to the Castell Vell, passing through traditional places such as Sant Roc de Canet. The return, the Tornà, returns the procession to the city.

The nineteen piper sectors extend the celebration throughout the neighbourhoods. Other common spaces are the mascletaes venue, Avenida del Rey in Jaume, the Lledó basilica and the squares that host music, fairs and popular activities.

Also check out the festivals of Castellón de la Plana.

Origin and history

The celebration evokes the formation of the medieval city in La Plana after the granting of the town charter in the 13th century. The Lenten pilgrimage to the Magdalene predates the contemporary festive model; The civic story of the transfer from the mountains to the plain was incorporated into it.

The modern cycle of festivals was configured since 1945, when the city reorganized its big week around the pilgrimage, the Pregó and the bagpipes. These luminous constructions became its singular element: they evoke, through light without fire, the lanterns that tradition associates with the nocturnal movement of the ancient settlers.

Romeria de les Canyes

The first Sunday begins at dawn with the ringing of bells, awakening, distribution of canes with green ribbon and mass of pilgrims. Afterwards, thousands of participants walk the path to the hermitage. Upon arrival, the traditional scrolls are distributed and religious and popular events are celebrated. The Tornà Start your return in the afternoon.

The cane, the green ribbon and the scroll are emblems of the day. Participation brings together authorities, clergy, festive groups, families and visitors, but preserves the penitential and foundational nature of the pilgrimage.

Gaiatas, proclamations and main acts

  • The Pregó Parade presents history, mythology, customs and folklore of Castelló.
  • The parade and Encesa de Gaiates They show the luminous monuments of the sectors.
  • The Pregó Infantil brings the festive performance closer to girls and boys.
  • The mascletaes, fire castles, parades, banda music, dolçaina and tabal mark the week.
  • The floral offering to the Mare de Déu del Lledó forms a tapestry in honour of the city's patron saint.
  • The final parade, the great fireworks and the cry of Magdalena Vítol The holidays close.

Organisation, participation and recognition

The Municipal Festival Board coordinates the programming together with the Festival Board. Gaiatas, collas, associations, federations, bands, folk groups, pyrotechnics and numerous municipal services hold a street celebration open to neighbors and visitors.

The Magdalena Festivals are declared Festival of International Tourist Interest. The gaiata is the exclusive and representative element of the festivities recognized by the statutes of the Municipal Board of Trustees.

Gastronomía y ambiente

The pilgrimage is accompanied by traditional foods such as roll, figa, broad bean omelette, ximo and mistela. During the rest of the week, inns, gastronomic fairs and meals organised by groups add to street life; Its location and authorization vary in each edition.

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