The Peregrina set off from the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás towards the monastery, on a day marked by devotion and massive participation. This celebration, now in its 537th anniversary, is one of the most deeply rooted in Alicante, mobilizing thousands of locals along the 7.5 kilometers separating the city center from the monastery. It is considered the second most crowded pilgrimage in Spain, only behind that of El Rocío.
The day once again brings together thousands of people in a tradition that transcends the religious sphere and becomes one of Alicante's great collective milestones each year. The anticipation for the future institutional declaration adds a special component this year to a pilgrimage that is part of the city's shared memory and faces a key date for its heritage recognition.
“"From that declaration, the Santa Faz will have much more recognition, more protection, and more help from Valencian institutions."
The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, announced that the Consell plenary will declare the Santa Faz an intangible BIC this Friday. He noted that the approval will be definitive and will represent recognition for a tradition that gathers over 300,000 people each year. Pérez Llorca participated in the pilgrimage alongside the mayor, Luis Barcala, and Bishop José Ignacio Munilla.
The pilgrimage dates back to 1489, when the relic was carried in procession to pray for rain during a great drought. According to tradition, the well-known miracle of the tear occurred, with a drop emerging from Christ's face. This episode marks the origin of a celebration that has maintained its power to attract crowds for centuries.
From early morning, over 15,000 rosemary canes were distributed between the Town Hall square and the cloister of the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás. Many participants wore the traditional black farmer's smock and blue and white scarf. Along the route, the traditional paraeta was set up halfway along Dénia Avenue, offering over 1,200 kilograms of anise rolls and 900 liters of mistela.
Once in the hamlet, Alicante councilwomen Cristina García and Begoña León, along with chaplain Miguel Ángel Cremades, were in charge of opening the niche of the shrine where the Santa Faz is venerated. Afterward, following traditional protocol, the relic was carried under a canopy by Bishop José Ignacio Munilla to the monastery square to preside over the religious ceremony.
The special operation by the National Police, coordinated from the Provincial Police Station of Alicante, proceeded without significant incidents. Agents from various units participated, including the Prevention and Reaction Unit and the Aerial Means Service. The operation was coordinated with the Local Police of Alicante and the National Police Unit attached to the Valencian Community.
