Category: News

Valencia News: Heat Warnings, Taxi Strike and Corpus Christi Parade

Bon dia! Here is your news update for Monday, 23 June.

It’s bonfire night for the Festival of San Juan! If you plan to go, be aware of a taxi strike from 9 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. Traffic restrictions will also be in place around Cabanyal and Malvarrosa, so the bus and metro are your best bets.

Summer Health & Safety

Heat Alerts and Water Warnings
With summer heating up, Spain’s Ministry of Health has launched a heat alert map with info available in English.
Meteosalud Heat Map

The Aemet Meteorological Agency warns of extreme heat, with some areas in Valencia nearing 40°C. Meanwhile, concern is rising over unauthorized swimming in the Turia River despite recent drownings.
This is the Valencian town that hit 39.9 degrees on Saturday | Las Provincias
Turia swimming continues despite recent deaths | Las Provincias

Contaminated Beaches and Flood Residue
The Massalfassar beach was temporarily closed due to contamination. This comes days after La Safor beaches were briefly closed after a mystery substance was found on the beach. Elsewhere, flood debris is once again being detected along the Albufera and Valencian coastline, raising questions about the effectiveness of previous cleanup efforts.
Second beach closed over pollution | Las Provincias
Full Report: Ecologistas en Acción

Wildfire Prevention Boosted
A new system of eight water cannons is being installed in El Saler to help contain potential wildfires during red alert conditions. Over the weekend, firefighters contained a forest fire in Bocairent that threatened the Serra de Mariola Natural Park.
Fire prevention system in El Saler | Cadena SER
Bocairent Fores Fire Stabilized | A Punt

Politics in Valencia

Corruption Fallout Widens
As Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces calls for new elections amid a growing corruption scandal, PSPV offices have been vandalized. Investigations continue into alleged kickbacks and irregularities in public works. New revelations further implicate José Luis Ábalos, while the UCO gathers evidence against Rafa Rubio and others.
Vandalism targets PSPV amid scandals | Las Provincias
30 suspect contracts in Abalos probe | Levante-EMV
Police gather evidence in ‘Operación Colegios’ | Valencia Plaza

Pharmacy Payments Delayed
Valencian pharmacies have been warned of delays in public reimbursements due to the ongoing liquidity crisis with the national government.
Medication payments delayed | El País

Flood Recovery

Building Challenges in the Flood Plain
More than half a year after the October floods and reconstruction is progressing slowly. Urban planners are taking inspiration from IKEA Alafafar’s elevated parking design as they rethink flood resilience. However, some residents in Picanya are refusing to give up their riverside homes despite the danger of future floods.
IKEA model inspires Valencia’s rebuilding | Valencia Plaza
“What we’re experiencing now is worse than the Dana” | Valencia Plazas Provincias

Documenting the Disaster
Volunteers gathered at La Rambleta once again, this time for a screening of the documentary “Voluntarios: La riada silenciosa”. The film portrays the enormous volunteer effort that came together during the disaster. Another project has rescued more than 1.5 million family photos and archive films from flood damage, revealing an intimate portrait of L’Horta Sud in Valencia.
Flood volunteers return to La Rambleta, the place of solidarity | El País
What 1.5 million rescued photos say | El País

Crime & Policing

Trafficking and Labor Exploitation Raids
Police dismantled a human trafficking network, freeing women from forced sexual exploitation. In a separate case, undocumented migrants were found working in a clandestine workshop in Xirivella.
Macro-operation busts trafficking network | El País
Exploitation workshop dismantled | Las Provincias

Homeless Migrants Evicted from Industrial Estate
Dozens of migrants who had sheltered in a derelict industrial estate in Aldaia were forcibly removed by the owners of the land, without the apparent involvement of the police or city council. The violent confrontation ended with 2 people arrested and 4 detained by police.
Migration Disaster at the Aldaia Industrial estate | Levante

Missing Woman Found Adrift in Boat
A British woman who had rented a sailboat in Formentera was rescued after being spotted by a ferry traveling between Ibiza and Valencia.
Woman who disappeared in boat admitted to Valencia hospital | Las Provincias

Economy & Infrastructure

IMF and IBM Eye Valencia for New Hubs
President Carlos Mazón says the IMF is considering opening a technology office in Valencia. Meanwhile, IBM has inaugurated a new digital sales center at the Terminal Hub by the Marina.
IMF office in Valencia? | El País
IBM inaugurates its digital sales center | Valencia Plaza

Waterfront in Limbo After Losing America’s Cup
After losing the America’s Cup bid, parts of the Marina remain underfunded and derelict, awaiting a new redevelopment plan.
Valencia’s Marina awaits redesign | Las Provincias

Transport & Mobility

New International Routes
Valencia Airport has launched weekly direct flights to Montreal and Oslo, improving international connectivity.
New routes to Montreal and Oslo | Valencia Plaza

Taxi Strikes All Summer
Expect rolling taxi strikes every Saturday night this summer, plus a full shutdown for San Juan night.
San Juan and Saturday night taxi strikes | Valencia Extra

Culture & Lifestyle

Corpus Christi Parade
Roman soldiers, giants, and dancing demons filled the streets of the Old City on Sunday for one of Valencia’s most cherished traditions. In an unusual incident, one of the Cathedral bell ringers was injured when a swinging bell hit him on Sunday.
Corpus Christi Photo Essay | Las Provincias
Bell ringer injured during Corpus Christi | Levante

Guitar Straps Become a Statement
A Valencia-based maker of custom guitar straps has become a favorite among international rock stars.
Guitar Strap Fashion | Valencia Plaza

Gelato Love Story in Ruzafa
An Albanian-Italian couple, Glen and Alerna, found love — and a business — making artisanal gelato in Ruzafa.
Glen and Alerna’s gelato dream | Valencia Plaza

Corpus Christi in Valencia: Biblical Mysteries, Good v Evil, and an Epic Water Fight

One of Valencia’s oldest and most symbolic festivals, Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) is celebrated on the Sunday 60 days after Easter. Records of the event date back to the 13th century, making it one of the city’s most enduring traditions outside of Fallas.

Las Rocas

Festivities begin Friday evening with the procession of Las Rocas — giant wooden floats shaped like ships and adorned with fantastical biblical imagery. Traditionally pulled by horses, these monumental structures are rolled from the Alamedita de Serranos (Casa de las Rocas) to the Basilica in Plaza de la Virgen, where they remain on display until Sunday.

There are eleven Rocas in total, four of them from the 16th century. The origin of their name (“The Rocks”) is uncertain, though some say they were once even larger before being trimmed down in 1912 to pass under tram lines. Originally used for staging biblical mystery plays (Els Misteris), they remain an awe-inspiring sight.

La Poalà & Els Misteris

Saturday is all about setting the stage. At noon, locals hang buckets along Carrer dels Cabillers and Calle Avellanas, in preparation for Sunday’s epic water fight with King Herod’s soldiers — a tradition known as La Poalà.

That evening, children perform in Els Misteris, biblical plays featuring King Herod, Saint Christopher, and Adam and Eve, on a stage in Plaza de la Virgen, often accompanied by live music.

Sunday: The Convite Parade

Sunday is the heart of Corpus Christi. At noon, the Convite Parade begins at Plaza Manises and winds through the Old City toward the Cathedral. Watch for:

  • The Capellá de les Roques, a figure on horseback, cloaked in black velvet. He represents the Church and invites citizens to join the celebration.
  • The Moma and the Momos: A highlight of the parade, the Moma (virtue) dressed in white, dances among seven Momos (the deadly sins), who try — but fail — to defeat her.
  • Nanos and Gegants: Traditional dances with towering giant puppets.
  • La Magrana: A ribbon-weaving dance reminiscent of a maypole.
  • Traditional children’s troupes like Els Arcots, Els Pastorets, and Els Turcs, dressed as knights and soldiers in mock battles, or shepherds bearing floral arches.

And of course, just as the parade turns onto Carrer dels Cabillers, those buckets from Saturday come into play! Water rains down from balconies as residents “attack” King Herod’s soldiers in one of the festival’s most playful (and wet) traditions—perfect for cooling off in the summer heat.

Final Highlights

At 2 pm, Plaza del Ayuntamiento stages a booming Mascletà. The day winds down with a solemn sunset procession returning to the Cathedral, where flower petals fall like confetti.

This year’s Corpus Christi is extra festive: It falls just one day before the bonfires of San Juan!

More information and sources: