SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio Abad (Saint Anthony the Abbot), popularly known as San Antón, is said to have been able to get closer to God thanks to his relationship and bond with nature and animals. For this reason, he is considered the patron saint of animals.
There are many towns in the Valencian geography that pay homage to him with all kinds of celebrations. In Montanejos, it was traditionally celebrated on the eve of the saint’s feast day (January 16) and the “clavarios”, the people in charge of the organization, were made up of 10 couples, two of which were always from La Alquería.
Nowadays, we celebrate it on the weekend closest to the saint’s day and the residents of Montanejos gather firewood, pine branches, gorse, heather… to make numerous bonfires throughout the town. People gather around the fires and cook tasty dinners for family and friends. The next day, during the morning, we celebrate the “cuelgo de las ollas”, a tradition in which children, blindfolded, try to break hanging pots with gifts inside, similar to a “piñata”. There are also traditional games for people of all ages during the day.
The day ends with mass, a procession and the blessing of animals. After the religious service, one of the most eagerly awaited moments takes place: the distribution of charity with its traditional blessed rolls and sardines.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HERMITAGE OF SANTA ANA
Saint Anne, although the Bible makes no reference to her, is recognized as the mother of the Virgin Mary and for this reason she is considered in the Catholic Church the patron saint mainly of women who are going to give birth.
On May 1st, Labor Day and a national holiday, it is customary in many of the Alto Mijares’ towns to go on a pilgrimage to the hermitage of Santa Ana, located 12 km away from the town of Zucaina. The patron saint of women and housewives has always been celebrated there.
The hermitage of Santa Ana, built in the 18th century, is located in an area of great natural beauty, next to a ravine where there is a beautiful fountain and an area set up for recreation, also used as a picnic area.
PATRON SAINT’S DAY
San Jaime Apóstol (Saint James the Apostle) is better known in folklore as Santiago Apóstol. He is also the patron saint of Spain since Pope Urban VIII designated him as such in the 17th century.
July 25th marks the holiday in honor of the patron saint of Montanejos, San Jaime, with a mass and various folkloric performances. During the day there are also activities organized for children and, at night, there is music in the streets.
SEMANA DEPORTIVO CULTURAL
During the month of August, usually between the second and third week, la Semana Deportivo Cultural (the Culture and Sports Week) takes place, one of the most eagerly awaited summer events for locals and younger visitors. Its origins date back to 1995 and it is undoubtedly linked to the figure of Óscar Jurado, whose name has been added to the event since 2024.
Although it has been updated to suit the new times, it still has its essence of citizen participation, as the organisation is made up of a group of 20 volunteers who are in charge of registrations, coordination of activities… In addition, values such as connection with sport, the promotion of sportsmanship and friendship are still promoted. People from 4 to 14 years old can participate, classified in different categories: alevins, infantil, cadets… in activities such as running, football, swimming, parcheesi, playbacks… or local traditional games such as birlas or guiñote.
MONTANEJOS PATRON SAINT FESTIVITIES
The Patron Saint Festivities of Montanejos, celebrated in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, Virgen de los Desamparados and the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of the Forsaken and the Sacred Heart of Jesus), have the first Sunday of September as their starting point. This date was brought forward to Saturday since the concept of the Queen of the Festivities and her Court of Honour was born in 1975. Since then, the festivities begin on Saturday with the presentation of the festivities committee.
Traditionally, the festival committee was appointed by the Town Council and it was made up of two members of the municipal corporation, five married couples and five single men. For several decades now, a committee, nowadays made by a group of friends, has been in charge of organising, with the help of the Town Council, the week of festivities that is concived by residents and holidaymakers as the finishing touch to the summer season.
The week is divided into two parts: a religious one, from Sunday to Tuesday, when masses and processions take place; and a bullfighting one, from Wednesday to Saturday, when the “entrada” or “Toro embolado” stand out. In addition, every night there are music bands that set the rhythm for this very special week.
Celebrations linked to the church have specific commemorations and days:
- Sunday is the Day of Our Lady of the Rosary
- Monday is the Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Tuesday marks the Day of Our Lady of the Forsaken.
That same Tuesday is popularly known as the day of the Alquería because a pilgrimage takes place on foot from the Church of Montanejos to the Hermitage of the Alquería where Our Lady of the Forsaken is taken out in a procession.
LA ALQUERÍA FESTIVITIES
This is a peculiarity of the town since the festivities dedicated to la Virgen de los Desamparados (Our Lady of the Forsaken) take place on the second Sunday in May, but in La Alquería, a neighbourhood of Montanejos, just as in other towns, it is celebrated during the August festivities with a solemn mass and procession.
However, from the 1980s onwards, and at the request of the residents of La Alquería, this celebration evolved into the festivities that are still celebrated today with their beloved events such as the costume contest, the paella competition and the water festival.
