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ARCHIVED - 1st to 3rd February Fiestas of San Blas in Santiago de la Ribera and San Javier
The Romería involves walking from Santiago de la Ribera to the Ermita of San Blas
If you've never participated in a romería before, then this could be a good one to try, comprising a pleasant walk from the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera to the park area surrounding the Ermita dedicated to Saint Blas, where free paella and entertainment is on offer to participants.
The Romería de San Blas is held every 3rd February in Santiago de la Ribera, the main residential area of the municipality of San Javier on the shore of the Mar Menor, and is the only non-maritime Romeria in the Mar Menor. ( ie, the only one on land)
The origins of the celebration date back to the 16th century, when the Trinitarian monks brought their devotion to San Blas and the celebration of his feast day to San Javier and La Ribera.
The main event this year, ie the Romería, is taking place on a Monday, but there are other events spread across the preceding weekend.
All of the events take place around the hermitage of San Blas, where the peñas set up "encampments" in their relative groups.
On the morning of the romería stalls are set up in the park area around the hermitage of San Blas, which is behind the Avenida Luis Federico Guirao. These sell the normal selections of crispy coated nuts, sunflower seeds and popcorn, but are also garlanded with brightly coloured ribbons and coloured cords, holding little terracotta figures of San Blas, many of them painted gold.
Traditionally terracotta figures were placed above the bed of children in the family, in the belief that they would keep throat infections at bay, and these little figures are still sold at this Romeria. They cost a couple of euros and are part of the traditional backbone of the Cult of San Blas, and are also an inexpensive and characterful souvenir of participating in this happy and lively event.
Participants will also distribute bread rolls which have been blessed inside the church: these are also believed to keep throat infections at bay.
At 10 a.m. the bells of the parish church, La Iglesia de Santiago Apostol, in Calle Oshea, close to the seafront, joyfully announce that the image of San Blas is beginning its journey to the hermitage, accompanied by neighbours and visitors, many of them clad in typical "huertano" clothes.
The saint emerges from the church, carried on a wooden throne, decked with flowers, and accompanied by hundreds of local inhabitants and departs in romería at 10.30.
If you´ve never been to a Romeria before, they´re actually very enjoyable, regardless of whether you have any religious beliefs or not. The figure of the saint is carried slowly and the crowd follow, with music playing and all enjoying a festive atmosphere. There´s always music and food, a relaxed crowd enjoying a good walk and even though this is essentially a religious event, it has an atmosphere of festivity which many are surprised to find when participating in their first Romeria. However, once you´re hooked, they become an enjoyable day out and residents will travel from all over the region to participate in various Romerias.
When the Romería arrives at the Hermitage of San Blas, the Huertana Holy Mass is performed. This is a colourful and joyful ceremony, enlivened by the choir of Santiago Apóstol, and offerings of fruit and flowers from the surrounding countryside.
It's very crowded inside the church, so if you're intending to attend the mass, get inside the building before the saint arrives, otherwise there's no chance of getting in once the masses arrive and everyone jostles to pack inside the building. The Misa Huertana is a sung mass, with folk music accompaniment, so it's actually quite enjoyable even without the religious element. After Mass, the revellers begin a long day of feasting in the encampment they’ve erected for their various peñas, and a paella is offered to all those who took part in the event courtesy of the town hall.
Participating is easy: just wait at the door of the church at Santiago de la Ribera with everyone else and then follow the saint, enjoying a walk in the sunshine with Santiago de la Ribera’s oldest resident.
Click for start point, Iglesia de Santiago, Santiago de la Ribera
Click for Hermitage of San Blas
The peñas set up their marquees and encampment alongside the hermitage of San Blas, which is the location for the mini market. Anyone is welcome to come along and listen to the music and watch the entertainment.
Programme 2020
Between the 31st January and the 2nd February, Novena in honour of San Blas, taking place in the hermitage at 16:30 daily
Saturday 1st February
11:00. En tu parque o el mío; a family activity taking place in the Parque Infantil san Alfredo which is alongside the Ermita de san Blas. Includes children's theatre and workshops. All activities free of charge.
11.30. Giant tortilla for attendees.
12:00. Festiblas Rock 20. Festival of local bands and groups in the park. Entry free of charge.
12:00 The day of the Candelaria. Blessing of young children and mass at the Parroquía Santiago Apostól in Santiago de la Ribera.
21:00 Vigilance Pre San Blas
Sunday 2nd February
13:00 Mobile disco with local DJs offering a full day of music in the Recinto de peñas
14:30 Migas is offered courtesy of the town hall.
16:30 Floral offering in the hermitage of San Blas.Participants have been requested to wear traditional regional dress, so there will certianly be some peña members wearing traditional huertano costume. This type of floral offering is always interesting for tourists, as the costumed participants make offerings of flowers to the image of San Blas.This year red or white gladiolis have been suggested as the most appropriate flower.
Monday 3rd February
09:00 Diana in honour of San Blas. Noisy wake-up call through the streets.
10:30. PILGRIMAGE OF SAN BLAS. (Romería de San Blas) The image of the saint is carried on the shoulders of the Hermandad de Santiago y San Blas From the church of Santiago Apostol in Santiago de la Ribera to the hermitage of San Blas.
Thousands of people accompany the saint on this walk, line the roads to watch him pass or await his arrival in the piñada. This is a festive, joyous occasion and participating in the walk is great fun regardless of any religious significance.
On arrival, mass is held inside the church in the form of a typical Misa Huertana, or sung mass
After mass at 12.45 the authorities visit the peñas in their encampment.
12:00. In the Recinto of the peñas DJs provide music while the faithful head off to mass.
After the Romería the participants spread out and go back to their peñas to enjoy some time together before lunch, and those who don´t belong to a peña can buy food from the stands.
14:00. Free giant Paella for all.
During the afternoon from 16:00 onwards there are games organised for the children and this year the sixth edition of the “how far can you spit a sweet competition, using the “caramelos de San Blas” competition takes place. (San Blas is the patron saint of sore throats.)
16:30 Children's games
18:30. Firecracker to end the festivities
Join the Mar Menor group on Facebook for info about Los Alcázares, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Torre Pacheco, La Unión and Cartagena and keep up to date with all the latest news and events in the Mar Menor: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarMenorNewsAndEvents/
Further information about San Javier in English can be found in the San Javier section of Murcia Today