If you plan to come to Seville during your vacations, we encourage you from LOCK & enjoy! to visit the city during the last weeks of July. The reason is that the Velá de Santa Ana 2024 is celebrated, one of the most important festivities of the capital of Seville.
Enjoy Seville in total comfort with one of our intelligent Luggage storage. We have a total of 5 locations in the city that are located in strategic points and accessible to all.
Origin
It is the oldest celebration in Seville, even older than the famous Feria de April FairIt dates back to the thirteenth century, although it began to be celebrated in the early twentieth century.
As its name indicates, the Velá de Santa Ana is celebrated in honor of the saint of the same name. Historians place its origin in the reign of Alfonso X, more specifically in 1266. At that time the monarch suffered from an eye disease that eventually improved considerably, however, he made a promise of a religious nature if his physical condition improved. Therefore, the king ordered the construction of a temple in honor of St. Anne. This historical fact became a custom of the neighbors of Triana and the city in general to go to the temple to be with the virgin on the night before July 26, the day of the calendar that marks the feast day of St. Anne.
Although the festival continues to have a religious character, it is complemented by the popular events that LOCK & enjoy! we explain in this post.
Events and activities
The official program of the Velá de Santa Ana for 2024 has not yet been published, therefore, we recommend that you visit a few weeks earlier the official website to know more in detail the possible changes, especially in terms of schedules and artists. However, the program does not usually vary fundamentally.
The date of this year’s celebration is still unknown, although in all probability it will be the last two weeks of July. Also, keep in mind that the stage for all the activities is in Betis Street, in the famous Triana neighborhood.
Sports tournaments and games
Water sports tournaments are present during most of the days of the Velá de Santa Ana 2024. The reason is that the Guadalquivir River is very close to the temple that gives rise to this festival. The most outstanding are the following:
- Aquathlon along the Guadalquivir River. The objective is to cover a distance of 2.5 kilometers running, 600 meters swimming and another 2.5 kilometers running.
- Paddle tennis tournaments.
- Soccer competitions in different modalities (7-a-side, indoor and a special one for veterans).
On the other hand, night regattas and chess, dominoes and petanque tournaments are also organized. At LOCK & enjoy! we advise you to visit the corresponding official websites to register in time for any of the tournaments and competitions that are organized.
Proclamation, musical performances and awards
The proclamation of the oldest popular festival of Seville kicks off the beginning of the celebrations, however, days before there are already activities. Prior to the proclamation there is a concert by the
Every year’s town criers are people who have had and still have a great artistic and social influence in Triana.
The aforementioned square is also the epicenter of all the musical performances that take place every night. The type of music varies to suit all audiences (flamenco, copla, commercial, etc.).
On the other hand, in 2023 was also held for the first time the delivery of awards and distinctions to influential people and institutions of the neighborhood. They are chosen by a total of 15 personalities who are responsible for selecting the honorary, year of the year and adoptive trianeros.
In Betis Street you have numerous booths to dine with your family and friends in total comfort, practically on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
La Cucaña
It is one of the oldest activities of the festival, since it was introduced in the official program in 1910. In addition, it is one of its great attractions due to the large number of people who gather to enjoy this game.
It consists of smearing a thick wooden stick with grease or lard to be placed horizontally on the water. At the end of the stick is a flag that must be reached by the participants. However, due to the slippery grease it is very difficult to reach the end, which causes falls, slips and dips. We invite you not to miss it, as you will have fun from the first minute.
Seafaring procession
In the vast majority of editions, a day before the proclamation, the seafaring procession is held in honor of the Virgen del Carmen. The image of the Virgin is moved from the church of La O to the castle of 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 sections of the river where small floral offerings are made. Once the procession ends, at dawn, the image is paraded through the streets of Triana.
Contests
In all editions there are a number of contests worth highlighting:
- Beer shooters. Professionals from the Sevillian hospitality industry participate in this event, where aspects such as technique and cleanliness are evaluated.
- Prize for the best rated booth.
- The award for the best tavern keeper of the year is also recognized.
Finally, we would like to recommend you to check the bus schedules. bus schedules to move to Triana to move to Triana, since some of its streets suffer traffic cuts.
Enjoy Seville in the Velá de Santa Ana 2024! Very close to Betis street we have one of our Lockers in Seville, just 15 minutes walking (Zaragoza street, 34). Book on our website, LOCK & enjoy!, and get discounts.
