The festival of San Ciriaco y Santa Paula
- When: 18th June 2018
- Where: Malaga, Spain
- Website: malagaturismo.com
San Ciriaco and Santa Paula were two youths martyred in Malaga, who became patron saints of the city by order of the Pope in the 15th century. The Pope decided to do so as a way of thanking the Catholic Monarchs for conquering Malaga in 1487.
A few years later, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile ordered the construction of a temple for the two martyrs and from 1582 onwards, 18th of June was proclaimed as the feast of Saint Ciriaco and Saint Paula. Today, this popular festival is celebrated both with religious services and a procession through the historical centre of Malaga, as well as a fair and an open-air concert.
Malaga, cosmopolitan and historical
There’s loads to see and do in Malaga. This Andalusian city has an incredible historical past which are lovingly preserved, but at the same time it has become a cosmopolitan city over the years.
Malaga is very beautiful and very welcoming. The surrounding area is full of the famous white villages with their beautiful architecture. Located in the southern part of the Mediterranean coast, between Granada and Cadiz, it’s no wonder Malaga is such a pull for all tourists, from those looking for culture and action to those who just want a bit of R&R.
The province of Malaga is endowed with miles and miles of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. You can find amazingly attractive beaches, some more popular and some more intimate. That’s not to mention its different protected areas, with incredible viewpoints and nature reserves, spectacular rivers and hidden lagoons.
As for the food, Malaga has a range of succulent traditional dishes. Fried fresh fish and seafood such as red mullet, squid and anchovies is one of the specialities. Also, gazpacho soup and typical recipes with quality ingredients are very popular, with hare, goat, and more being some of their specialty meats.
Events in honour of the Patron Saints of Malaga
The feast of the Patron Saints of Malaga is one of the most popular festivals in Spain and there are several events that take place to honour St. Ciriaco and St. Paula. The festival is held on 18th June, but a few days before that other activities begin.
The Royal Congregation is in charge of carrying out a procession in honour of the Holy Martyrs. In the days before, an awards ceremony is usually organised, with drawings and texts exhibited in the House of the Brotherhood of the Sepulchre. On the same day, the religious brotherhoods make an offering of flowers in the church and the following day the singing of Solemn Vespers takes place.
On the 18th, the festivity in honour of the Patron Saints begins with a Mass and the presentation of medals to some of the brothers of the Congregation. The procession then takes place through the streets of the historic centre of Malaga in order to transfer the images to the Cathedral. These curious religious rituals are a real marvel to see and a great way to get into the spirit of an authentic Spanish holiday.