Festivities of the Virgin in Yecla

Yecla celebrates an ancient tradition that began more than three centuries ago. They celebrate the Fiestas de la Virgen in Yecla, to show their devotion and passion for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. Come to Yecla and enjoy these beautiful festivities!

What do the Fiestas de la Virgen in Yecla consist of?

The Fiestas de la Virgen del Castillo, the Immaculate Conception, in Yecla are one of the most important religious festivities celebrated in Yecla, in honour of this virgin. They take place on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 15th of December. They have been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest and an Asset of Cultural Interest.

How is the fiesta of the Virgin celebrated in Yecla?

The celebration of this popular festival begins on 5 December with the act of Beneplácito, in which the president of the Asociación de Mayordomos (Association of Stewards) requests permission from the highest municipal authority to begin this festivity.

Subsequently, on the 6th of December, the Mass of Pages is celebrated in the morning. In the afternoon, the Kissing of the Flag takes place, with the participation of the soldiers.

On the Day of the Descent, the Alborada begins, which consists of the transfer of the Patron Saint of Yecla from the Santuario del Castillo to the Basílica de la Purísima.

In the afternoon, the squads make a route through the streets of the city centre, ending the day with the Offering of Flowers.

On the 8th of December, the appointment of the "clavarios" and the parade of the soldiers take place, the central element being the Procession, with the image of the Patron Saint. The following Sunday, the Virgin is taken up to her Sanctuary.

On the days of the descent and ascent of the Virgin, the harquebus fired by the soldiers in her honour is heard.

Origins of the celebration of the Fiestas of the Virgin in Yecla

The origin of this festivity dates back to the Catalonian War, when a group of people from Yecla were called to defend the unity and integrity of the homeland on the war front, led by Martín Soriano Zaplana.

Feeling grateful for the return of the men of war, this group of Yeclanos went up to the Sanctuary of the Castle in thanksgiving. They agreed to lower the image of the Virgin from the Sanctuary to the Church of the Assumption every year.

These descents of the Virgin were accompanied by the firing of arquebuses, in remembrance of the events that took place during the war. In 1691, the Cofradía de la Virgen (Brotherhood of the Virgin) was founded to be responsible for the festivities in honour of the Virgin.

What else can you see in Yecla?

It is worth visiting these magnificent places of historical and cultural interest in Yecla, a municipality located in the north of the region of Murcia:

• Municipal Archaeological Museum "Cayetano de Mergelina": this space is divided into four cultural areas. and admire the most outstanding piece: The bust of Emperor Hadrian.
• Basílica Arciprestal de la Purísima Concepción or Iglesia Nueva: the construction of this religious building began in 1775, with a neoclassical style.
• Museo Mariano Virgen del Castillo: it has an exhibition room for the display of objects related to the Patron Saint's Festivities, in honour of the Immaculate Conception.
• Monte Arabí: in this natural space the rock art stations stand out: Cantos de Visera and Cueva del Mediodía, which have been included in the Declaration of World Heritage for the Cave Art of the Mediterranean Arc, by UNESCO in 1998.
• Bullfighting Museum of Yecla: it exhibits a wide variety of objects related to bullfighting. It includes a newspaper library, an extensive bibliographic collection and a video library.

Gastronomy in Yecla

We invite you to discover and taste the typical gastronomy of Yecla, a real delight!

• Gachasmigas: also known as migas de harina. They are prepared with flour, oil, garlic, salt and water. They are one of the most important dishes in the festivities of the virgin in Yecla (in "La Alborada" and in the hours before "La Bajada de la Virgen").
• Gazpachos yeclanos: this is a stew prepared with a bread cake, rabbit and snails.
• Pelotas de relleno: it is prepared with pork, bread soaked in boiled broth, pine nuts, egg and lemon zest.

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