Magdalena festival

The Magdalena festival is the principal festival of the city of Castellón de la Plana. Festival held for 9 days since the 3rd Saturday of lent.

CASTELLÓN’S LOCATIONCastellón

Castellón de la Plana, as everybody knows, is in the Valencian Community. It is in the east of Spain. It’s located on the Mediterranean cost.

The estimated population of the city of Castellón was 172.624 as of 2007 official statistics. And this is its flag.

GETTING AROUND

Trolley-bus

BiciCas

The newest public transport service in Castellón will be the trolleybus, which is an electric bus powered by two overhead wires.

You can also use the regular buses. There are 12 lines traveling through the city.Other interesting public service is the “BiciCas” that is a free service of bicycle rental.

However I think that the best way to see the city center is on foot, especially during the Magdalena festival, when there are many streets cut and a lot of traffic jams.

A BIT OF HISTORY

This festival commemorates the moment when the Castellón habitants let the Magdalena hill and went to the coastal plain.

Castellón was originally located at the top of the hill Magdalena until the year 1251. The tradition says that this year was when the city moved to the coastal plain, leaving behind a supplier of meat from which all the city habitants depended. It was moved during the night, with lanterns to see in the dark, currently

those lanterns are represented with the “Gaiatas”.

THE ACTSThe celebrations last nine days and offer a varied

program that includes fun traditional, religious and sportive activities.

Those are some of the acts celebrated:

THE “GAIATA”

CAVALCADA DEL PREGÒ

With the Cavalcada of Pregó, the celebrations begin. In this Cavalcada there is a pregonero that, reading a letter in form of verse through the streets, invites the inhabitants of Castellon and tourists to enjoy the festivities that are beginning.

ROMERÍA DE LA MAGDALENA OR DE LES CANYES

One of the most ancient and emotive events is the Romería of the Magdalena or de les Canyes, celebrated on the third Sunday in Lent. This Romería is very important for the Castellón inhabitants, who take canes to the church of the Magdalena.

THE “ENCESA”

One of the most spectacular moments takes place when the

Gaiates from the 19 festive commissions and the one from the Town Hall create a lighted snake illuminating Castellón de la Plana. On Monday all the Gaiates will be lighted one by one by one in the

presence of the Queen of the celebrations in the Encesa (light) creating a light show that blends

with Castellon´s night sky.

THE “OFRENDA”

A very emotive, spectacular and ancient act is celebrated on the second Saturday during Magdalena Festivities is the flower offer to the Mare de Déu del Lledó, the city's patron.

THE “MESON DEL TAPEO Y EL VINO”In the afternoon and evening, visit the Mesón del Vino y de la Tapa, a typical place where the people from Castellón hang out during the celebrations.

OTHERS

Besides this acts, every day of the Magdalena at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, there are Mascletàes. And at night there are different verbenas, correfocs and fireworks. There are also free concerts for the Castellón inhabitants and the visitants.

PLACES OF INTERESTIf you want to profit your stay in Castellón to visit the city, you mustn't forget to visit these places:

The Cathedral of Saint Mary built in the 13th century

The bell-tower, known as El Fadrí, built next to the Cathedral in the 17th century

The Llotja del Cànem, used by the University for Cultural Events and exhibitions.

And the Basilica of Santa María del Lledó devoted to an image of the Virgin Mary, and very important in the Magdalena festival