Program of Moors and Christians Festivities in Villena

In September the Moors and Christians festivities are held in Villena, of National Tourist Interest, in honour of their patron saint, the Virgen de las Virtudes, who freed the city from the plague.

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News 2022

Undoubtedly the most exciting thing this year 2022 has been the alligator during the parades. Embodied by a girl who completed the parade route in such an unnatural posture, and which has been echoed by many of the media.

Festive Programme 2022

4th September

• At 19:00 h. in the Chapí Theatre.GRAN CONCERT by the Villena Municipal Music Band.
• At 22:00 h. in the premises of the comparsas.CENA DE CONFRATERNIDAD FESTERA.
• At 1:00 a.m., from the Atalaya Castle. Afterwards, verbena in the usual places.BIG FIREWORKS CASTLE.

5th September

• At 9:00 h. HOLY MASS, in the Church of Santiago with firing of arquebuses and the raising of flags to God.
• At 12:00 h. FESTIVITIES PROCLAIMING, from the balcony of the Villena Town Hall.
• FIESTA DEL PASODOBLE. At the end of the Fiesta Proclamation, from the Plaza de Santiago to the beginning of Calle Nueva. Route
• At 16:00 h. GRAND ENTRANCE (PARADE) from Calle Nueva. The parade will include the parades of the Moorish side, followed by the Christian side, in the traditional order. On this day, the Church of Santiago will remain open until 1 am.

6th September

• At 7:30 a.m. DIANA, from the Plaza de Santiago. Route
• At 7:30 h. HOLY MASS in the Church of Santiago, the acts of worship will begin with the HOLY MASS (Mass: 8:00 and 9:00 h).
• At 10:00 h. MASS DEDICATED TO YOUTH with the CHILDREN'S CONVERSION FROM MORO TO CHRISTIANITY, in the Church of Santiago. At the end Ruedo de Banderas Infantil.
• At 12:00 h. PARADE OF HOPE, from Plaza Mª Auxiliadora. Route
• At 17:00 h. GUERRILLA and EMBASSY OF THE MORO TO THE CHRISTIAN, from Santiago Square. Route
• HOLY ROSARY at 18:30 h. in the Church of Santiago.
• HOLY MASS at 19:00 h. in the Church of Santiago.
• At 21:00 h. GRAN CABALGATA (PARADE), from the intersection of Coronel Selva and San Isidro Streets.

7th September

• At 7:30 h. DIANA, from the Plaza de Santiago. Route
• At 7:30 h. HOLY MASS in the Church of Santiago, the acts of worship will begin with the HOLY MASS (Mass: 8:00 and 9:00 h).
• At 11:00 h. HOLY MASS DEDICATED TO THE SICK, in the Archdeaconry Church of Santiago.
• At 12:00 h. OFFERING, from the intersection of Coronel Selva and San Isidro Streets to C/ Capitán López Tarruella. Route
• At 18:30 h. CONTRABANDO by the Comparsa de Andaluces from the vicinity of Plaza Mª Auxiliadora to Plaza del Rollo. Route
• At 19:30 h. HOLY ROSARY, in the Church of Santiago.
• At 20:00 h. HOLY MASS, in the Church of Santiago.
• At 22:00 h. RETRETA, from C/ Nueva with intersection Avda. de Elche. Route
• At 00:00 h. CONCERT IN HONOUR OF THE PATRONESS by the Ambrosio Cotes Choir from Villena, in the Church of Santiago.
• At 1:00 h. ALBORADA IN HONOUR OF OUR SRA. MARIA DE LAS VIRTUDES, in the Plaza de Santiago.
• At 1:30 h. BIG FIREWORKS CASTLE, from the Atalaya Castle.

8th September: FESTIVITY OF OUR LADY MARY OF THE VIRTUES.

• At 7:30 a.m. DIANA, from the Plaza de Santiago. Route
• At 7:30 h.HOLY MASS in the Church of Santiago, the acts of worship will begin with the HOLY MASS (Mass: 8:00 and 9:00 h).
• At 10:30 h.HOLY SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF OUR PATRONESS, in the Archdeaconry Church of Santiago.
• At 12:15 h.GUERRILLA and EMBASSY OF THE CHRISTIAN TO THE MORO, from the Plaza de Santiago. Routes
  On arrival at the Atalaya Castle, the Embassy of the Christian to the Moor will take place.
• At the end, the effigy of the Mohammed will be handed over to the people of Biar.
• At 18:00 h.CONVERSION OF THE MOORISH TO CHRISTIANITY, in the High Altar of the Archdeaconry Church of Santiago.
• Then: SOLEMN PROCESSION. After the Conversion of the Moor to Christianity, from the Church of Santiago. Route Upon the entrance of the Virgin in the Plaza de Santiago, arcabucería shots will be fired.

9th September

• At 7:30 a.m. FAREWELL ROMERÍA of the Sacred Image of María de las Virtudes, from the Plaza de Santiago. Route
• At 8:00 h. and 8:30 h. MASS IN THE CHURCH OF SANTIAGO. At the end of the Mass, the Holy Image will be taken on a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary.
• On the arrival of the Holy Image at the Sanctuary, HOLY MASS. HOLY MASS, during which the Conversion of the Moor to Christianity will be repeated.
• At 17:00 h. PRESENTATION OF NEW OFFICERS and READING OF THE MINUTES OF AWARDS. ENTRANCE OF NEW CAPTAINS, ALFÉRECES AND MADRINES, from the intersection of Coronel Selva and San Isidro Streets. Route
• At the end of the parade, in the Plaza de Santiago.