If you’re planning to visit Seville during your holidays, we at LOCK & enjoy! encourage you to visit the city during the last weeks of July. The reason is that La Velá de Santa Ana 2024, one of the most important festivities of the Andalusian capital, is celebrated then.
Enjoy Seville in total comfort with one of our smart lockers. We have a total of 5 locations in in the city, strategically situated and accessible for everyone.
Origin
It is the oldest celebration in Seville, even older than the famous April Fair, as it dates back to the 13th century, although it began to be celebrated in the early 20th century.
As its name suggests, La Velá de Santa Ana is celebrated in honour of Saint Anne. Historians place its origin in the reign of Alfonso X, more precisely in 1266. At that time, the monarch suffered from an eye disease that eventually improved significantly; however, he made a religious promise if his physical condition improved. For this reason, the king ordered the construction of a temple in honour of Saint Anne. This historical fact became a custom for the residents of Triana and the city in general to visit the temple to be with the virgin on the night before July 26th, the day that marks Saint Anne’s name day on the calendar.
Although the festivity continues to have a religious character, this is complemented by the popular events that we at LOCK & enjoy! explain to you in this post.
Events and Activities
The official program for La Velá de Santa Ana for 2024 has not yet been published, so we recommend visiting the official website a few weeks before to learn more about possible changes, especially regarding schedules and artists. However, the programming does not usually vary fundamentally.
Celebration date for this year is still unknown, although it will most likely be the last two weeks of July. Also, keep in mind that the stage for all activities is in Calle Betis, in the famous Triana neighbourhood.
Sports Tournaments and Games
Water sports tournaments are present during almost all the days of La Velá de Santa Ana 2024. This reason is that the Guadalquivir River is very close to the temple that originated this festivity. The most notable are the following:
- Aquathlon on the Guadalquivir River. The goal is to cover a distance of 2.5 kilometres running, 600 metres swimming, and another 2.5 kilometres running.
- Padel tournaments.
- Football competitions in different modalities (7-a-side, indoor and a special veterans category).
In addition, night regattas and chess, dominoes, and pétanque tournaments are also organized. At LOCK & enjoy! we advise you to visit the corresponding official websites to register in advance for any of the tournaments and contests that are organized.
Proclamation, Musical Performances, and Awards
The proclamation of Seville’s oldest popular festivity marks the beginning of the celebrations, although activities start days before. Prior to the proclamation, there is a concert by the Municipal Symphonic Band. To find out how the festivity starts, head to Plaza del Altozano.
The heralds each year are people who have had and continue to have a significant artistic and social influence in Triana.
Aforementioned square is also the epicentre of all musical performances that take place every night. The type of music varies to suit all audiences (flamenco, copla, commercial, etc.).
In 2023, for the first time, awards and recognitions were also presented to influential people and institutions of the neighbourhood. A total of 15 personalities are responsible for selecting the honorary Triana residents of the year and the adopted residents.
On Calle Betis, you have numerous booths for dining with your loved ones in total comfort, practically on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
La Cucaña
This is one of the oldest activities of the festivity, as it was introduced into the official program in 1910. It is also one of its great attractions due to the large number of people who gather to enjoy this game.
It involves greasing a thick wooden pole with grease or lard to be placed horizontally over the water. At the end of the pole, there is a flag that must be reached by participants. However, due to the slippery grease, it is very difficult to reach the end, causing falls, slips, and splashes. We invite you not to miss it, as you will have fun from the first minute.
Maritime Procession
In most editions, a day before the proclamation, the maritime procession in honour of the Virgin of Carmen is held. The image of the said virgin is transferred from the church of La O to the Castillo de San Jorge, where it will be embarked for the procession along the river.
The person guiding the catamaran makes a series of stops at different stretches of the river where small floral offerings are made. Once the procession is over, in the early hours, the image is paraded through the streets of Triana.
Contests
In all editions, there are a series of contests worth highlighting:
- Beer pourers. This act involves professionals from the Sevillian hospitality industry, where aspects such as technique and cleanliness are assessed.
- Award for the best-valued booth.
- The best taverner of the year is also recognized.
Finally, we would like to recommend that you check the schedules of the urban buses to get to Triana, as some of its streets are subject to traffic cuts.
Enjoy Seville at La Velá de Santa Ana 2024! Very close to Calle Betis, we have one of our lockers in Seville, just a 15-minute walk away (Calle Zaragoza, 34). Book on our website, LOCK & enjoy!, and get discounts.
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