Festivities in honor of the Virgin of Los Remedios

The month of September in Villafranca dresses up to honor its patron saint. Tradition has it that some shepherds, while guarding their flock, found the carving of the Virgin in the current location of the hermitage. Moved by the desire to have her closer, the neighbors began to build a temple near the town, but every night, inexplicably, the works collapsed and the materials appeared again in the place of the discovery.

To popular amazement, this event was repeated several times, being interpreted as the unequivocal will of Our Lady to remain at that crossroads from where she dominates and protects the town.

The Descent and the Great Festival

The events begin in late August with the traditional “Bajada” (Descent) or “Traída” (Bringing) of the Virgin from her hermitage to the Parish Church of Santa Marina. It is a magical moment where the path is illuminated, sometimes with traditional watermelon lanterns, and the town accompanies its patron saint with fervor.

On September 8th, the main festival is celebrated with a solemn procession through the streets of Villafranca. Finally, towards the second half of September (usually between the 15th and 22nd), the “Llevada” (Taking back) or ascent takes place, where the image returns to its hermitage accompanied by a crowd, saying goodbye until the following year.