Discover Santa Faz: Pilgrimage, History and Local Festivals

Santa Faz combines pilgrimage, architectural history and festive traditions into a destination with several points of interest. Behind the main altar in the pilgrimage church is an octagonal camarín, where the relic of the Santa Faz is kept.

Church, Monastery and Historic Buildings

The history of the site goes back a long way: the first monastery and the first church of Santa Verónica were founded between 1489 and 1490. Another visible testimony is the Santa Faz Tower. It is a remnant from the 16th century and has a rectangular floor plan, a truncated pyramidal structure, as well as neoclassical and defensive elements.

The monastery itself also tells of a long architectural history. It was reconstructed between 1751 and 1756; completion continued until 1766–1785. Those interested in religious architecture, historical development and the connection between religious significance and distinctive architectural forms will find many points of interest in Santa Faz.

Pilgrimage and Paths Through the Huerta

The pilgrimage route from the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás to the Santa Faz Monastery is eight kilometres long. The landscape heritage associated with Santa Faz also includes the historic paths through the old Huerta de Alicante. For generations, people used them to travel to Santa Faz to venerate the relic and take part in La Peregrina.

The annual Santa Faz pilgrimage, known as La Peregrina, takes place on the second Thursday after Maundy Thursday. This is joined by the ceremonies for the opening and closing of the Santa Faz tabernacle. They take place at the Santa Faz monastery sanctuary and in the hamlet of Santa Faz.

Festivals with Regional Flavour

The celebration of Santa Faz includes a paraeta, where visitors can taste anise rolls and mistela. Around the Santa Faz Monastery, a fair with more than 100 stalls is also held from Thursday to Sunday on the occasion of the Santa Faz celebration. Religious ceremonies, social gatherings and culinary traditions are therefore closely linked to the festivities.

The Fiestas de San Antonio de Padua also shape the annual calendar. They are celebrated in Santa Faz every year around 13 June and last from Thursday to Sunday; the reference day is the Sunday immediately after 13 June. On Saturday, the programme includes a paella competition in the streets of Santa Faz.

Dates for Planning Your Trip

A specific historical event example is the Mercado de Santa Faz in 2024. It was held from Tuesday, 9 April, to Sunday, 14 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day, on Plaza de Luis Foglietti and the adjoining streets. Six stalls offered traditional festival products, including medals, pottery, ceramics and garrotes.

When planning your accommodation, you can therefore consider Santa Faz according to your preferred focus: architectural history and pilgrimage on the one hand, and fixed festival dates, market activity and regional tastings on the other. The different dates and themes help you consciously align your daily schedule and preferred travel period with the interests of your travel group.

Other Destinations

Other destinations for your own reference: El Moralet, Monnegre.

For the higher-level travel overview: Alicante.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Santa Pola.