Villajoyosa Celebrates 725 Years

Villajoyosa marks a significant day this Thursday, 8th May, celebrating two pivotal anniversaries in its history: the 725th anniversary of its founding as a city and the 372nd anniversary of the miracle of Saint Martha's tears. Mayor Marcos Zaragoza extended his congratulations to all the residents, stating, "Today is a grand day, a day of great celebration for the people of Villajoyosa, as it is important to remember and celebrate our founding as a town to highlight our history, heritage, and culture, and to defend our identity and origins as a community."

The town commemorates the 372nd anniversary of the Miracle of Saint Martha's Tears with two masses held at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. The first mass was conducted at 11 a.m., coinciding with the time when the image of the patron saint began to weep on its altar during a mass on 8th May 1653 in the same parish.

Meanwhile, in Madrid, King Philip IV signed the authorization to construct the Relleu dam, which would supply water to the Villajoyosa farmland during a period of severe drought. The second Eucharist will be held this evening at 7:30 p.m., attended by the 2024 festival officials, members of the Santa Marta Association's Board of Directors, and the municipal corporation.

Following the religious ceremony, in the church square, the winners of the children's ambassador contest will recite excerpts from the same. Last Saturday, the Santa Marta Association organized a floral offering to the patron saint, with more than 4,000 participants.

Regarding the special programme prepared by the Villajoyosa Town Hall to celebrate the 725th anniversary of its founding, tomorrow, Friday, the Official Chronicler of Villajoyosa and head of the Municipal Archive, Albert Alcaraz, will deliver a talk titled "Why Do We Seek the Carta Pobla? The Legal, Historical, and Heritage Values of the Carta Pobla of Villajoyosa," where he will discuss the impact and significance of the contents of the Carta Pobla document in the Don Pedro de la Barbera hall.

Finally, this Saturday, 10th May, the enactment of the granting of the Carta Pobla will take place, featuring Miguel Lloret Pérez as Bernat de Sarrià 2025. The Associació Huit de Maig will organize a civic procession, departing from the La Barbera estate and traversing the streets of the town centre, culminating at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, where the historical moment of 8th May 1300 will be recreated, when Admiral Bernat de Sarrià presented the document establishing the town's boundaries, as well as the rights and duties of its inhabitants.