València Celebrates Traslado of Mare de Déu with Modified Itinerary

Thousands of faithful accompany the patron saint on an exceptionally longer route due to construction work on Micalet street, maintaining traditional devotion.

Image of a crowd of faithful in the Plaza de la Virgen in València during the Traslado.
IA

Image of a crowd of faithful in the Plaza de la Virgen in València during the Traslado.

The city of València experienced one of the most emotional days of its festive calendar this Sunday with the traditional Traslado de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, which modified its usual itinerary due to construction.

Thousands of faithful filled the city center to accompany the patron saint on a journey that, exceptionally, was somewhat longer due to the modification of its usual itinerary for safety reasons. The image left the Basilica punctually at 10:30 AM under the traditional cry of «Valencians, tots a una veu: visca la Mare de Déu».
Due to ongoing construction work on Micalet street, the Geperudeta altered its route. After circling the Plaza de la Virgen, it proceeded along the Plaza de la Almoina and continued down Barchilla street until reaching the Puerta de los Hierros of the Cathedral. The entry into the temple occurred after 11:00 AM, completing a fluid but longer transfer than in previous years.

"The most special day for Valencians."

the mayor of València
The event featured customary popular devotion rituals, such as children being passed overhead to touch the Virgin's mantle. From the Casa Vestuario, the president of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, and the mayor of València, María José Catalá, witnessed the image's passage with the traditional shower of petals.
The mayor described the day as «the most special day for Valencians» and highlighted the city council's effort to «put affection» into these celebrations, advocating for the recovery of the tapestry, the decoration of the streets, and the reinforcement of the pyrotechnic calendar compared to previous periods. For his part, the head of the Consell echoed the message of Archbishop Enrique Benavent, appealing for «dialogue and less confrontation».
After the crowded Missa d’Infants held early in the morning (08:00 AM) and the morning Traslado, the festivity will conclude this afternoon with the General Procession, which will tour the streets of the historic center starting at 5:30 PM, with the participation of the main authorities and entities of the city.