Nine days connecting town and sanctuary
Cullera held its Fiestas Mayores from 26 April to 4 May 2025, honouring the Mare de Déu del Castell, also known as La Moreneta. The celebration connects three settings: the sanctuary above the town, the streets around the Santos Juanes church and the Mediterranean shore. The image comes down to the town, visits its communities and eventually returns to the sanctuary.
The Baixà brings the image into town
The opening Baixà descends from the castle sanctuary along the winding route towards Santos Juanes. Carriers, musicians, religious participants and representatives of the town form the procession. On arrival, the tauleta, a temporary altar, provides a resting place for the image.
The heritage decree records references to the Baixà in the seventeenth century. It also describes a practical preparation ritual: a group checks the route with a cane matching the carrying platform’s height, clearing branches that could obstruct it. The ceremony depends on this work as well as its public spectacle.
The Aurora links the celebration to the sea
On the final Sunday, the image travels towards San Antonio beach before dawn. The heritage account dates this particular Aurora tradition to 1940. The carriers approach the shore barefoot, while working boats greet the image with their horns. The religious procession meets the fishing community and the sea.
Later the image returns to Santos Juanes. The evening Pujà takes it back towards the sanctuary, completing the journey begun with the Baixà.
Music belongs to the festival’s institutions
Local musical societies participate in processions and pass their repertoire and skills to younger musicians. The 2025 programme included the national band competition on 27 April and Valencian-language performances by Figa Flawas, Cactus and Naina. These different musical forms share the same festival calendar.
Decree 42/2024 granted the celebrations intangible cultural heritage protection, recognising a living network of rituals, music and community participation. Public festival spaces remain subject to Spain’s ordinary rules on unlawful cannabis possession and consumption; the celebration creates no special exemption.
Sources & further reading
General information, not individual legal or medical advice.