Festivals and Traditions
Holy Week, of International Tourist Interest
The celebration of Holy Week in Salamanca has enormous roots among the Salamancan population, arouses a deep and intense religious fervor, a deep feeling that, in addition, is framed in the historical ensemble of the city. The artistic richness of the imagery and the beautiful monumental environment through which the steps run, merge in Holy Week with unique and singular brilliance.
Salamanca has 18 Brotherhoods, Congregations and Brotherhoods that organize processions and events, the oldest being the Act of Descent, the Procession of the Holy Burial, initiated in 1615 and the Procession of the Encounter, initiated in 1616. The Holy Week of Salamanca was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2003.
Water Monday
Festival of Tourist Interest of Castilla y León.
Water Monday is a popular holiday held on the Monday following Easter Monday.
The origins go back to the sixteenth century, then public women, who inhabited the House of Manceba, were moved during Lent and Holy Week, out of the city.
From Ash Wednesday they returned from their exile to the other side of the Tormes next to Father Whores, a return celebrated with a great party by the students of the city.
Today the tradition of getting together with friends for a snack and going to the countryside to taste the hornazo, typical food based on bread dough stuffed with meat and sausages.
On the occasion of the celebration of Water Monday, the previous days, the city celebrates a festival of music, dances, dramatized visits ... at a party around the river.
June 12. Saint John of Sahagun
The city organizes a program of recreational activities in honor of its patron, San Juan de Sahagún. There is no shortage of fireworks, folk festival, music and sports.
From the 7th to the 15th of September. Fairs and Festivals of Salamanca
The fairs and festivals of the city begin with a floral offering to the Virgen de la Vega, which is carried in procession by groups of Salamancans dressed in the typical costume.
Thus begins a great week marked by concerts, street shows, attractions in the fairgrounds, medieval market and fireworks.
September. Feria Taurina de Salamanca
It is a fair with a great tradition, as this is a land where some of the best fighting bull farms in Spain are located.
For several days bullfights with the main figures of bullfighting are offered.
October 31- Climb of the Mariquelo to the Tower of the Cathedral
Year after year, the eve of all Saints, the Mariquelo makes the ascent to the tower and vane of the cathedral, dressed in the traditional costume and carrying his work instruments: bagpipes and tambourines. A climb to give thanks, which puts the hairs of tip to contemplate him perched on the outside of the dome and to hear him play from the heights.
The tradition dates back to 1755. That year, an earthquake in Lisbon shook Salamanca and many citizens fled their homes to take refuge in the newly built Cathedral. The temple remained standing, although some figures of its facade were shattered and the tower was slightly inclined, a circumstance for which, in the following years, it has been reinforced for fear of its collapse.
The Cathedral Council established that every October 31 of the following years, a person climbed to the top of the temple to ring the bells and verify, incidentally, that the tower did not continue to bow. Those in charge of starting this tradition were the Mariquelos, a family that lived inside the cathedral and passed the mandate from parents to children.
The celebration of Holy Week in Salamanca has enormous roots among the Salamancan population, arouses a deep and intense religious fervor, a deep feeling that, in addition, is framed in the historical ensemble of the city. The artistic richness of the imagery and the beautiful monumental environment through which the steps run, merge in Holy Week with unique and singular brilliance.
Salamanca has 18 Brotherhoods, Congregations and Brotherhoods that organize processions and events, the oldest being the Act of Descent, the Procession of the Holy Burial, initiated in 1615 and the Procession of the Encounter, initiated in 1616. The Holy Week of Salamanca was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2003.
Water Monday
Festival of Tourist Interest of Castilla y León.
Water Monday is a popular holiday held on the Monday following Easter Monday.
The origins go back to the sixteenth century, then public women, who inhabited the House of Manceba, were moved during Lent and Holy Week, out of the city.
From Ash Wednesday they returned from their exile to the other side of the Tormes next to Father Whores, a return celebrated with a great party by the students of the city.
Today the tradition of getting together with friends for a snack and going to the countryside to taste the hornazo, typical food based on bread dough stuffed with meat and sausages.
On the occasion of the celebration of Water Monday, the previous days, the city celebrates a festival of music, dances, dramatized visits ... at a party around the river.
June 12. Saint John of Sahagun
The city organizes a program of recreational activities in honor of its patron, San Juan de Sahagún. There is no shortage of fireworks, folk festival, music and sports.
From the 7th to the 15th of September. Fairs and Festivals of Salamanca
The fairs and festivals of the city begin with a floral offering to the Virgen de la Vega, which is carried in procession by groups of Salamancans dressed in the typical costume.
Thus begins a great week marked by concerts, street shows, attractions in the fairgrounds, medieval market and fireworks.
September. Feria Taurina de Salamanca
It is a fair with a great tradition, as this is a land where some of the best fighting bull farms in Spain are located.
For several days bullfights with the main figures of bullfighting are offered.
October 31- Climb of the Mariquelo to the Tower of the Cathedral
Year after year, the eve of all Saints, the Mariquelo makes the ascent to the tower and vane of the cathedral, dressed in the traditional costume and carrying his work instruments: bagpipes and tambourines. A climb to give thanks, which puts the hairs of tip to contemplate him perched on the outside of the dome and to hear him play from the heights.
The tradition dates back to 1755. That year, an earthquake in Lisbon shook Salamanca and many citizens fled their homes to take refuge in the newly built Cathedral. The temple remained standing, although some figures of its facade were shattered and the tower was slightly inclined, a circumstance for which, in the following years, it has been reinforced for fear of its collapse.
The Cathedral Council established that every October 31 of the following years, a person climbed to the top of the temple to ring the bells and verify, incidentally, that the tower did not continue to bow. Those in charge of starting this tradition were the Mariquelos, a family that lived inside the cathedral and passed the mandate from parents to children.