There are so many things to celebrate when you buy a home in the Costa Blanca, the beautiful weather and scenery, the delicious food and healthy lifestyle but Spain is a Catholic country, and many religious days are celebrated with gusto. Summer literally explodes on the Costa Blanca in August with several saints’ days and important dates in the Catholic calendar that include a number of feast days, solemn masses and procession and lively parties with firework displays. Here are few of the most important to look out for this month.
San Lorenzo was one of the seven deacons of Rome and during the Romans persecution of Christians was tasked with distributing the church’s treasure to the poor despite the emperor’s insistence that this wealth was handed to Rome, Lorenzo presented it to the poor and sick and was martyred for act of faith and charity. He is a celebrated saint in Spain and many towns and villages honour him with feast days and celebrations on 10th August. In the Costa Blanca you will find several important celebrations but, the most important one is held in Altea on the second Saturday in August every year. This is the spectacular Castell de L’Olla fireworks which thousands travel to Altea to see. This small town can get crowded at this time, parking is at a premium and some roads will be closed during the evening as well as nearby exits and entrances to the motorway. However, if you can arrange to be somewhere to get a view of this display it will be a memorable experience. Plinths are built in the sea and the pyrotechnic display launched from here at about midnight to a score of appropriate music. The display is huge so elements of it can be seen and heard from other towns along the coast and hilltop locations overlooking the Mediterranean. If you live in the Costa Blanca at least once it would be worthwhile booking one of the evening Catamaran dinner cruises that operate from ports like Denia to take you on a relaxing evening with delicious food and drinks along the coast, moving closer to Altea in time to watch the fireworks before heading home.
The city of Alicante celebrates San Lorenzo with events including music, dancing and traditional food, Benidorm enjoys beach parties, concerts and more fireworks. Calpe provides more religious ceremonies but, with some local festivities and Denia combines tradition with modern flair and a diverse range of activities. If you enjoy the relative tranquillity of living in Jalon these inland towns host a more subdued feast day with the focus on religious processions and family gatherings with local food in restaurants and homes. This is a great opportunity to participate in a more authentic Spanish experience of honouring one of their most important saints.
Most Catholic countries will celebrate the 15th of August, it is one of the most important religious dates in the church calendar and is a National Holiday in Spain. The importance of this day is the believe that this was when the Virgin Mary was taken body and soul to heaven to end her earthly life and is a celebrations of Mary’s special place in Christianity. This is a deeply religious day for devout Catholics who will spend this day in prayer and devoted reflection as well as attending religious ceremonies. Many towns and cities organise processions, fairs and other festive events to mark this occasion of religious observance and summer enjoyment. If you own a home in the Costa Blanca then you do need to note these important dates in your own calendar not only to participate in traditional feast days and celebrations but, also because many shops and banks will, of course, be closed. Keep an eye out for information from local councils in towns throughout the Costa Blanca to see how your community will be celebrating this day. Some will organise street parties, parades and fireworks in addition to church masses and family meals so it is worth taking note of what is happening so that you too can join in with your family.
August 24th San Bartholomew is celebrated towards the end of August and some smaller towns will honour this Saint as well, if you buy a home in Javea, you will be familiar with him because the lovely church of San Bartolomeo presides over this coast town. There will be other celebrations and feasts up and down the coast and in the inland towns during the summer so keep checking your town halls information and news so that you don’t miss anything.
When you buy a property in the Costa Blanca you become used to the number of celebrations held in Spain both for historical reasons but also to celebration and renew their devotion to their religion. All involve families being together to pray, parade, eat, sing and dance and really builds the strong feeling of community that makes this place so welcoming. Mark these important dates in your calendar, join in and have fun!!!
Hamiltons Real Estate (formally known as Hamiltons of London) have written this article in the hope that it is useful to those relocating or buying a holiday home in the Costa Blanca - 2024
