Category: Archive

Festival of San Vicente Mártir

San Vicente Mártir, one of Valencia’s patron saints, is celebrated in the city for his unwavering faith. Schools and shops are closed to commemorate the day. According to tradition, he was tortured and executed in Valencia in 340 AD under the orders of Emperor Diocletian. His body, dragged along what is now Calle San Vicente Mártir, was miraculously protected by ravens when left to the elements.

Today, his legacy is commemorated through two processions and the preservation of relics:

  • The Relic of San Vicente, a mummified left arm, can be seen in the Cathedral.
  • The silver-plated wooden sculpture of San Vicente, displayed in the Cathedral, is carried during the procession.

Learn more about his story:

Tailors and Dressmakers’ Guild
As the patron saint of tailors and dressmakers, San Vicente Mártir is also honored with a special procession by the Guild of Tailors and Dressmakers. Their parade starts at Avenida de María Cristina and ends at the Cathedral for a dedicated mass. Learn more about the guild.

? When: January 22
? Schedule:

  • 10:30 AM: Morning Mass at the Cathedral
  • 11:30 AM: Cathedral Procession
  • 12:30 PM: Tailors and Dressmakers’ Guild Procession
  • 1:00 PM: Mini-mascletà in Plaza de la Reina

? Where: Valencia Cathedral, Plaza de la Reina, Calle de Avellanas
? Route Map: View here

Valencia News: Monday, 20 January 2025

Good morning ?? Here’s the Monday news update. Remember: Wednesday, 22 January is the San Vicente Martir holiday. Schools and shops will be closed so plan ahead!

Variable Weather Continues

Atlantic storm Gaoré is set to hit the Peninsula on Monday, bringing heavy rains to the interior of Valencia over the next few days. Stay updated with the latest forecasts from AEMET and additional coverage by Las Provincias.

Transport Updates

  • MetroValencia Service Resumption: Normal service to flood-affected areas is expected to resume by February 15. Shuttle buses will link Picanya and Paiporta to the Metro. For full details, visit MetroValencia.
  • Potential Metro Strike: A Punt reports potential Metro and tram strikes due to union concerns over management decisions during the flood crisis. Read more on A Punt.

Flood Recovery

  • Safety Concerns: Flood-damaged buildings remain hazardous. Tragically, a worker was killed in Benetússer when stairs collapsed during cleanup efforts. Full story on Levante.
  • Historical Rainfall: The CHJ water authority confirms the October floods were the heaviest in 2,000 years, as per a technical report covered by Las Provincias. The rerouted Turia riverbed likely saved Valencia city center from flooding (details here).

Fallas Preparation

The Convento Jerusalén Fallas commission, one of the biggest in the city, will donate a Fallas structure to Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit areas during the floods. The donation will be burned in March as part of the festivities. More on this story at Las Provincias.

Upcoming Festivals

  • San Vicente Mártir (January 22): Valencia celebrates its patron saint. Schools and shops will be closed. A 10:30 AM mass at the Cathedral will be followed by an 11:30 AM procession passing Plaza de la Reina and two shrines before returning to the Cathedral. Expect road closures in the area.
  • Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake (January 25): The parade begins at 5:30 PM, running from Calle Pelayo to Plaza del Ayuntamiento. From 11:00 AM, the plaza will be hosting exhibitions featuring music, dance, martial arts, including Lion and Dragon dances. Road closures will affect the area in the evening. More from organizers here.

Valencian Culture Abroad

Valencian architect Miguel Arraiz will be the first Spaniard to design the Burning Man Temple in Black Rock City, Nevada. The 2025 design, titled Temple of the Deep, will be constructed by August and ceremonially burned after the festival—a tradition resonant with Valencia’s Fallas. Read more on the Burning Man Journal.