Every September 8, Huelva honors and pays homage to its Mother and Patroness: Virgen de la Cinta. For this purpose, the festivity of the “Virgen Chiquita” is celebrated in the Plaza de la Merced and in the surroundings of the Sanctuary, above, in the Conquero, with the marsh in the background.
The celebration of the events in honour of the Virgen de la Cinta begins at the end of August. Traditionally, takes place the transfer of the image of the Patron Saint of Huelva, work of Benito Hita del Castillo and the step is of the Sevillian goldsmith Jesús Domínguez, from its canonical seat in the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cinta to the Holy Church Cathedral for the celebration of the novena in honor of the Virgin.
The transfer has become a mass phenomenon for the citizens of Huelva and also for visitors. The route runs through the upper part of the city, in the heights of the Conquero, a privileged natural space of great symbolism for the city and of enormous scenic beauty for all attendees. This enclave unites natural heritage and popular religiosity in an event that takes place at dawn and ends after contemplating the spectacle of the sunrise from the heights of the Conquero.
Once in the Cathedral, religious services are held in honor of the Virgin, until a week before the processional departure on the afternoon of September 8, the festive and recreational events begin. This is where the musical shows and the atmosphere of meeting with friends are concentrated. The highlight of the festivities is the traditional procession of the Patron Saint through the streets of the city center, in what is called the official parade with the participation of the authorities of Huelva. At the end of the parade, the popular transfer to the Sanctuary of El Conquero takes place in the midst of the crowds and the Marian devotion of the citizens of Huelva, eager to hear the songs of the fandango of Huelva in the Peña Flamenca in the neighborhood of Las Colonias, and experience the spectacular chicotá on the slope of La Cinta, next to the Humilladero. The events end with a fireworks display when the procession of the Virgen de la Cinta rests in the Sanctuary.
As well as the fiestas and the procession, don’t miss the singing of the fandango de Huelva, a type of flamenco fandango with unique characteristics typical of our land, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
As well as the fiestas and the procession, don’t miss the singing of the fandango de Huelva, a type of flamenco fandango with unique characteristics typical of our land, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
