Santa Pola is in fiesta mode, with celebrations from August 31 with the proclamation, followed by the Moors and Christians from September 1 to 3, and later this week, the patron saint celebrations of the Virgin of Loreto.
Mayor Loreto Serrano and Councillor for Festivals, Nely Baile, presented the programme of events for the 2024 patron saint festivities in honour of the Virgin of Loreto, which will run until 8 September.
Nely Baile has summarised the most important events of the festivities, which will begin on the evening of 31 August with the opening speech by Antoni Mas i Miralles, a philologist, university professor and author of numerous works on the history of Santa Pola and our Valencian language.
“The first part is organised by the Cultural Association of Moors and Christians from 1 to 3 September, which begins on Sunday with the Moorish assault on Levante beach and, in the afternoon, the conquest of the Castle. On the 2nd the Christians reconquer the fortress and, on the 3rd, both sides join in the great Moorish and Christian entrance that parades through the streets of the centre with the processions dressed in their best clothes and showy pageantry.”
The second part focuses on the most popular festivals, from September 4 to 6 with various activities for children and adults, culminating on the 6th with the spectacular multicoloured parade of floats and troupes.
The third part of the festival is dedicated to the devotion to the patron saint, the Virgin of Loreto. On the 7th, the flower offering is celebrated, which paints the patron saint’s shrine in the Fortress Castle with colour. And the big day is the festival of the Virgin of Loreto, on the 8th of September, which culminates with the Virgin of Loreto carried on shoulders in a procession through the streets of the centre and the fireworks display.
