L'Alcora Celebrates Saint Vincent's Day and the 25th Anniversary of the Mocadorà

The town in l'Alcalatén experienced a significant day with the traditional pilgrimage to the hermitage and the revival of an ancient tradition.

Image of a traditional Valencian romeria with music and people, in a rural setting with a hermitage.
IA

Image of a traditional Valencian romeria with music and people, in a rural setting with a hermitage.

The town of l'Alcora has celebrated Saint Vincent's Day with a traditional pilgrimage to the hermitage, concluding the Easter cycle and commemorating the 25th anniversary of the revival of the Mocadorà.

The festive day in l'Alcora began at 09:00 h with the departure of the official procession from the Church Square. The pilgrimage was led by the dolçaina and tabal, and presided over by the clergy, local authorities, the queen and ladies of the festivities, along with the Colla Gegantera (Giants Group), the music band, and numerous pilgrims.
After arriving at the Saint Vincent Hermitage, declared a Site of Local Relevance, a mass was held, followed by a traditional country picnic. Typical products for the day, such as broad bean or tender garlic omelets and the panà de Sant Vicent, a characteristic covered cake with hard-boiled egg, lean meat, pine nuts, and sausage, were enjoyed.
After the picnic, music took over with the anticipated concert by the Agrupación Musical l'Alcalatén in the hermitage grounds, a crucial event that marked the culmination of the stay in the mountains. One of the most unique moments was the celebration of the Mocadorà, a tradition dating back to the 20th century that revives the ancient custom where fiancés would give their beloved a handkerchief full of sweets after mass at the Saint Vincent Hermitage.
This tradition, which ceased to be performed in the 1950s, was successfully revived in 2002 by the Coordinadora d'Associacions Culturals de l'Alcalatén and the neighborhoods of l'Alcora. For this 25th anniversary, the handkerchief wrapping the sugared almonds, nougats, and marzipans features a design by Mª Pilar Avilés Cabedo from l'Alcora, winner of the 2026 competition, who has integrated heritage elements such as the hermitage, ancient giants, and ceramics from the Royal Factory.
The program also included a children's play park for the entertainment of the little ones. At 13:00 h, the pilgrimage began its descent back to the urban center, and in the afternoon, the celebration continued with activities organized by the Barrio de la Sangre.