La Mare de Déu de la Salut Festival

The main local festival in Algemesí, which goes back to the Middle Ages, is held in honour of La Mare de Déu de la Salut and has been awarded the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation.

La Mare de Déu de la Salut Festival in Algemesí dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most unique celebrations in the province of Valencia. Theatre, dance and music are part of a set of traditions that are transmitted from generation to generation. The townspeople also participate - more than 1,400 people take part in the parade. Other curious features are the costumes and accessories, which are all handmade. The three parades on 7 and 8 September are especially important. They start when the bells ring and the route includes the Basilica of San Jaime, Plaza Mayor and the Capella de la Troballa. Music and traditional dances accompany the parades (the dances of «bastonets», «pastoretes», «carxofa», «arquets», «llauradores» and «tornejants») and the spectacular «Muixeranga» human towers. On 7 September the Procession of Promises takes place, in which children act out short religious dramas («Els Misteris»). The following day, in the Parade of the Morning, the giants representing King James I of Aragon and his wife come out; and in the afternoon, in the "Volta General", the parade is filled with characters from the Bible.