The strong wind that blows today in the city of Castelló has not discouraged the 165,000 residents and visitors from climbing, cane in hand, towards the Magdalena hermitage as part of the traditional Les Canyes Pilgrimage to take a trip to their roots and history.
At 7:00 a.m. the Town Hall square was abuzz with pilgrims collecting one of the 25,000 canes with their ribbon, 1,300 of which have been delivered to the Grao. The long lines reached from the square to the interior of the central market to obtain the symbol of this founding march.
Families, groups, friends and members of the festive entities dressed in black blouses and green scarves gather at this point to begin the 8 kilometer path to Castell Vell.
The march, which is more participatory every year, welcomes neighbors and visitors. This year it has brought together 165,000 people, a figure slightly lower than in 2023, when there were 170,000 pilgrims.
The pilgrimage that starts from the Plaza Mayor has been joined by thousands of people who have recovered the tradition of beginning this historic path from the maritime district and begin the march from the Grao.
Before leaving, however, many have "gained strength" with the traditional "figa i dosset", a delicacy in the form of a fig fritter accompanied by mistela or brandy or a "barreja", in the stalls in the bars of the square. of the Pescadería prepare for the occasion, as well as in the nearby bars.
After the pilgrims' mass, the official delegation left the Plaza Mayor led by the Colla de Dolçainers i Tabaleters de Castelló, followed by representatives of festive entities, bagpipers and other guests, and the queens of the festivities. Afterwards, the political representatives also left, with the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, the mayor of Castellón, Begoña Carrasco and other members of the municipal corporation and the Consell.
Everyone has left for Sant Roc de Canet to have lunch with some of the typical sandwiches of the Pilgrimage such as the "ximo" from Castelló, the broad bean omelette, the "coca de tomato", and also here the traditional "figa y doset" and continue then towards the hermitage, where the pilgrims have been arriving with a festive atmosphere, music, “dançà”, songs and many displays of joy.
Once the march reaches the hermitage, many pilgrims are encouraged to ring the bell, which with its ringing provides the soundtrack for the groups that settle nearby to eat.
Promoted by the Colla Pixaví, each Magdalena more pilgrims are encouraged to make the return journey on foot, known as the "tornà" since, in reality, it is the true essence of the founding of the city, and they head through the old Roman road from Caminás to the basilica of the Virgin of Lledó because, as tradition dictates: "If you go to Magdalena and do not stop in Lledó, you cannot say with your mouth full that you are a son of Castellón."
A day that will close with the Gaiatas Parade, a celebration that this Tuesday will be officially declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the plenary session of the Consell that will be held in the city, as announced today by the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón .
The light monuments will start from San Roque Street (Forn del Pla), to travel through several streets in the city center and end on Rey don Jaume Avenue.
The music and the party will close a day full of events, with performances by different bands, groups and DJs throughout the city and that will last until dawn before the Magdalena holiday Monday with the Children's Pregó as the protagonist and the first day of the XXVII Mascletaes Competition by Pirotecnia Valenciana.
