Xàtiva Celebrates Corpus Christi with Heritage News and Inclusive Tours

The city revives the 'El Turc' giant and offers free guided tours on the festival and the historic 1707 'Crema'.

Generic image of a historic building in Xàtiva with Mediterranean architecture.
IA

Generic image of a historic building in Xàtiva with Mediterranean architecture.

Xàtiva is preparing to celebrate Corpus Christi 2026 with a program that includes the restoration of the 'El Turc' giant, cultural performances, and free guided tours commemorating the historic 1707 'Crema'.

The city of Xàtiva is dressing up for festivities this week to celebrate one of its most deeply rooted traditions: Corpus Christi 2026. This year, the celebrations arrive with significant new features, combining the recovery of historical heritage, popular culture led by Pep Gimeno «Botifarra», and a robust offering of free and inclusive guided tours that will also commemorate the city's historic 'Crema' of 1707.
The main heritage novelty for this Corpus is the commencement of conservation and restoration work on 'El Turc', one of the emblematic cardboard figures from the collection of giants at the Corpus Museum of Xàtiva. The University Institute of Heritage Restoration of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (IRP-UPV), under the direction of Antoni Colomina, is responsible for repairing the damage caused by time to restore the piece's original stability and polychromy. The traditional figures will be exhibited at the doors of the Seu from Thursday, June 4th, to Sunday, June 7th.
The official program includes key moments. On Thursday, June 4th, at 7:30 PM, there will be a Mass at Sant Francesc, and at 8:00 PM, in the plaça de la Seu, the 'Pregó del Convit' will be held, led by Pep Gimeno «Botifarra», accompanied by the rondalla from the Escola de Danses de Xàtiva. The official poster by J. Daniel Sanz Sanchis, the new costumes for the 'angelets', and a tribute to Sebastià Garrido Rico will also be presented. On Saturday, June 6th, at 6:00 PM, the Mass for First Communion children will take place at the Col·legiata. On Sunday, June 7th, the Central Day, there will be the Major Corpus Christi Mass at the Seu (10:30 AM) and civic (6:00 PM) and religious (7:00 PM) processions.
The Councilor for Tourism, Raquel Caballero, has announced a special campaign of free guided tours for the month of June, as part of the Sustainable Tourism Plan. These activities are highlighted for being fully inclusive, adapted for people with visual and hearing diversity. Places are limited and require prior reservation.
Special Corpus tours will take place on Friday, June 5th (6:30 PM) and Saturday, June 6th (11:00 AM). The commemoration of the 'Crema' of Xàtiva (1707) will offer a historical route on Friday, June 12th (6:30 PM), Saturday, June 13th, and Saturday, June 20th (11:00 AM). Additionally, a family theatricalized visit, 'El Misteri de Fra Tomás', will be held on Sundays, June 14th (11:00 AM), Fridays, June 19th (8:00 PM), Saturdays, June 20th (10:00 PM), Fridays, June 26th (8:00 PM), and Saturdays, June 27th (8:00 PM).
Registration for all free tourist routes opens on Thursday, June 4th, at 10:00 AM. Registrations can be made online through the official Xàtiva Turisme website or in person at the Xàtiva Tourism Office.