The Tears of Saint Martha

Can you imagine the intensity of a whole festival condensed into a single day? That’s what May 8 is like in La Vila Joiosa—that’s Llàgrimes Day.

According to a notarial record, which you can read in the Chapel of Santa Marta at the Church of the Assumption (one of the three surviving “Fortress Churches” of the Levantine Gothic style), on May 8, 1653, the statue of the patron saint, Saint Martha, wept with joy at 11 a.m., at the very same time that King Philip II was signing the authorization for the construction of the Relleu Reservoir in Madrid—a reservoir that would put an end to the drought problems plaguing La Vila Joiosa.

This miracle of Saint Martha reaffirmed her status as patron saint and led to the celebration of various recreational and festive events on this date. Thus, today, on the Saturday closest to May 8, La Vila Joiosa dresses up to honor its patron saint. The festival groups gather at their festival headquarters, restaurants, or venues reserved for this day and share a day of fellowship similar to that experienced during the patron saint festivities (Moros i Cristians, July 24–31): fine cuisine, music, and plenty of celebration.

The main event is the Floral Offering to Saint Martha. Thousands of festival-goers and city residents take part in this event, dressed in traditional attire—specifically, 17th- and 19th-century vilera and vilero costumes. The variety and vibrant colors of the costumes, the striking beauty of the floral arrangements, and the joy radiated by the vileros and vileras make this offering a deeply moving and unique event.
In the Plaza de la Iglesia, the Associació Sta Marta (the organization that organizes the patron saint festivities) sets up a “calafat” where festival-goers place their bouquets, and these are used to create a floral mantle for Santa Marta.

Once the floral offering is over, the festival-goers return to their venues to continue the party until the early hours of the morning.