Virgin of the Soledad de Castalla

Marian title of Castalla (Comunitat Valenciana)

La Virgen de la Soledad es la patrona de Castalla, municipio de L’Alcoià a los pies del castillo medieval que domina la comarca. Su sede, la Hermitage of the Blood, is the oldest religious building in Castalla, built in the second half of the 13th century in primitive Gothic style. In 1804, Charles IV issued Real Cédula authorizing Castalla to use gunpowder at his Moros and Christian festivities, confirming that the parties previously existed with sufficient relevance to obtain a regio privilege.

Main data

Origin and history

La Virgen de la Soledad es la patrona de Castalla, municipio de L’Alcoià a los pies del castillo medieval que domina la comarca. Su sede, la Hermitage of the Blood, is the oldest religious building in Castalla, built in the second half of the 13th century in primitive Gothic style. In 1804, Charles IV issued Real Cédula authorizing Castalla to use gunpowder at his Moros and Christian festivities, confirming that the parties previously existed with sufficient relevance to obtain a regio privilege.

Image and sanctuary

The image is kept in the Hermitage of Blood, the seat of the Blood Brotherhood. The parties of Moros and Christians in his honor have been declared of Tourist Interest.

Sponsorship and coronation

Castalla Patron. No canonical coronation.

Party and devotion

The employers' parties are held at the 1-4 September, with festive prelude on the night of August 31 (Nit de l’Olleta). During those days, the Virgin of Soledad presides over the major mass, the solemn procession and the parades of the feast films.

Link to the Rosary

The advocation of Soledad evokes the painful mysteries of the Rosary, especially the Soledad of Mary after the Crucifixion. The Blood Brotherhood keeps this devotion alive in Castalla.