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Diari Valencià

The Peregrina de la Santa Faz of Alicante Declared Intangible Cultural Asset

The Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana publishes the decree formalizing the protection of this historic pilgrimage and its cultural elements.

Image of 'rollitos' and 'mistela' on a wooden table, with a festive market in the background.
IA

Image of 'rollitos' and 'mistela' on a wooden table, with a festive market in the background.

The Peregrina de la Santa Faz of Alicante has been officially declared an Intangible Cultural Asset, a decision published this Thursday by the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, establishing protection measures for the pilgrimage.

The decree, consisting of 22 pages, details the historical, cultural, and identity reasons justifying this declaration. The festival is nourished by faith, devotion, the expression of Alicantine identity, camaraderie, and brotherhood of the people of Alicante, in addition to traditional clothing and outdoor meals.
Devotion to the Santa Faz is considered the main cultural and religious expression of the city and the orchard of Alicante since the late 15th century. The document identifies its official route, the participation of people from outside Alicante, and highlights the origin of the journey, dated 1489.
Among the elements to which the declaration gives importance are the image of the Santa Faz, felt by Alicantines as part of their identity, as well as typical products such as 'rollitos' and 'mistela', and the popular fair held around the monastery. The Alicante City Council and the Diocese of Orihuela are responsible for preserving this BIC, along with the Co-cathedral of San Nicolás, the community of Regular Canonesses Lateranenses of Saint Augustine, and volunteers.
The pilgrimage departs from the Co-cathedral of San Nicolás and arrives at the monastery, passing through the Plaza de la Santísima Faz, Calle Mayor, Vila Vella street, Plaza de Santa María, Raval Roig, Dénia Avenue, and the Santa Faz hamlet. The celebration date can range between April 2 and May 6, two Thursdays after Easter Sunday.
The official declaration includes new safeguard measures. The Alicante City Council must contribute to the transmission of tradition and knowledge of its history through the dissemination of documents. Religious institutions, such as the Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante and the Santa Faz monastery, must ensure fidelity to tradition in liturgical festivities. Academic and cultural institutions in Alicante must promote study and research on the Santa Faz and the Peregrina.
The long process for this declaration began in 2002, with the first request from the Alicante City Council in 2016. In July 2024, the Generalitat initiated the file, and the Valencian Culture Council (CVC) concluded in January that a favorable declaration was appropriate. The Peregrina becomes the second intangible BIC in Alicante, after the Hogueras de San Juan, and the 50th in the entire Valencian Community.

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