What to See
Parrish Church of Santos Juanes
The church is located between the right bank of the Mayor channel and the loads of San Juan. The first documentary evidence that have been found of its constructive activity belong to the sixteenth century.
In 1761 the temple was rebuilt by the structural problems that suffered the former. "The gable roof will be covered with tiles of Alicante. The blue blankets, being all of the color glazed."
In 1945 are completed the restoration job of the temple, since a fire happened on April 20, 1936 destroyed part of it, as well as an ancient organ and the altarpiece of the Major altar.
In the Plaza of Spain where we find the parish church of the Santos Juanes.
The origins of the Santos Juanes’ Church are lost in time, but possibly were visigoths.
With the arrival of Muslims this building would be destroyed and in its place a Mosque got up. However, after the reconquest of these lands by James I of Aragon in 1265, the mosque was dedicated to the Christian worship on the 23rd of June, under the dedication of San Juan Bautista.
Towards 1299 the Mosque is demolished and a Christian church of diaphragmatic arches, wooden roof, double slope and single-nave was erected, whose expenses were borne by the Germans, Lords of the place. But it was small and by 1572 a series of reforms undertaken in his head and adds a cruise.
These reforms will not finish in successive years so that the fabric of the church threaten ruin and decided knock down in the 1760s,undertaking an ambitious constructive and structural plan of the new building to erect, finishing it in 1802 and thereby shaping the definitive that currently we can contemplate.
Its structure provides a transition between the Baroque and Neoclassicism, the temple consisting of a Latin cross plant, a single nave with lunettes, head apse, chapels between buttresses with function of pseudo lateral naves (because the buttress is perforated) and covered with ribbed vaults, besides having the chapel of Pilar attached (former sacristy), the chapel of Santo Cristo and the Comunion, while the bell tower is outside of the axis of the temple showing an exquisite decoration of rococo style.
On the movable heritage, the parish of Catral has valuable works of these are: a refined, Lignum Crucis. Just as a painting of Santa Barbara and the image of the patron, San Juan Bautista, attributed to the workshop of Murcia’s sculptor Salcillo, both works of the Baroque period and a beautiful image of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación at the end of the eighteenth century.
Chapel of Santa Águeda
The chapel of Santa Águeda, her oldest references date back to 1684-1691, the unsuccessful attempt of D. Gines Juan Portillo and Soto, knight of Montesa and familiar of the Holy Office of the Inquisition of Murcia, to create a new dominion alfonsino of “almarjales” in Catral, near the hermitage of the saint, where he had properties. There is no proof of the dates or data on the origin of the old statue destroyed in the civil war in 1936.
We might venture two possible hypotheses on the origin of this emblematic tradition. The first hypothesis leads us to think that devotion to the saint of Sicilia was brought to Catral by the conquistadors and later by Castilian settlers and Catalan and Aragon in the thirteenth century, and especially, by the order of Santiago in whose domains is included Catral by the year 1255.
Another possible hypothesis could be related to the figure of San Vicente Ferrer, who was preaching in these lands from Alicante around 1411, and where laterit would be done by the friars of the Orden Carmelitana de Valencia, can these contribute to the consolidation of the devotion and even help in building of the first chapel to the saint.
Chapel of the Purísima
This chapel is the home of the Auroros and is the place where is the town's patron saint, La Purisima, dating from mid-sixteenth century and whose image is the work of the Valencian Rabasa and Royo.
The shrine of the Purísima was, in principle, the Chapel of the Holy Hospital of the town and its architectural layout follows the baroque and neoclassical models of the late eighteenth century similar to the Santos Juanes’ church because both have characteristics of these two artistic styles.
In this beautiful chapel is a carving of San José, of the seventeenth century.
The Santa Cruz
On the General Prim Street we reach the street of the Cross in which would not leave until we get to it.
The origins of this temple are unknown, but it is believed that they were built on roads of entry to the town in order that this one were blessed and protected, hence the existence of two junctions, one of them to the exit from Catral towards Dolores and the other at the door of the chapel of Santa Agueda, this was destroyed years ago but has now been restored a new one.
On May 3 a mass is celebrated, since this day is the day of the Santa Cruz, which gives name to the neighbourhood in which it is.
Palm of thirteen arms in the Park of Pablo II
Once we have seen the monument of the Santa Cruz we would return for this street up to coming to the Park Juan Pablo II, in which we can find the unique and historical palm of 13 arms.
Headquarters of the Major Committee of Confraternities and Fraternity of Holy Week
Headquarters of the Major Committee of Confraternities and Fraternity of Holy Week is located in San Juan Street, in the heart of town.
Its opening is recent of the year 2009, and in it we can find the processional thrones of all the Confraternities and Fraternity that take place in the historic and traditional Holy Week of Catral.
Holy Week in Catral has experienced a considerable boom.
The great work which different brotherhoods and fraternities have been developing over the year is reflected in a great aesthetic improvement of the parades of Holy Week. We can see this in the establishment and reform of thrones, image restoration and costumes of the same, the renewal of banners, the increase of penitents, and the incorporation of new "pasos" (religious floats and sculptures).
This external improvement is not free of the most important elements: the religious. The septenary of Los Dolores, the Via Crucis Penitential and massive participation in the acts and Services of the Major Holy Week testified it.
Typical big house of the Orchard "Torredolores"
On the Santa Agueda street will make a stop in an old house in the village called Torre-Dolores.
Torre-Dolores, is one of the oldest houses and traditional in Catral in which facades showed the coat of arms of the noblest families of the town (now, unfortunately, many of these shields are missing). In it there is an old mill.
Holidays
Santa Águeda
In Catral and on the banks of the Major irrigation ditch we can find the neighbourhood of Santa Águeda, in which square raises the hermitage of the holy one.
Every February 5 it turns into a fairground where the neighbours and visitors can buy the typical "bolicas" of Santa Águeda, and all kinds of baubles and sweets, of which, without a doubt, the king is the nougat.
The peculiar form of buying is called "la pesá" that consists of a package of sweets of all classes and that is given to a dear person.
The devotion in Catral of this Sicilian martyr is very ancient. It is said that she was introduced by the Order of Santiago in the year 1255, though the first documents that refer to the image and to the hermitage date back of 1684.
Santa Águeda is much venerated both by the peoples of Catral and by a multitude of peoples of the whole province that every year are faithful to their appointment with the Saint.
For her specific connotations, (disease in the bust) the women are those who most often pray to Holy for their protection and intersection, though also protection is asked Santa Águeda to protect and to develop the tasks of the garden.
During the civil war the image of Santa Águeda was destroyed and at the end of this one, the family Ñiguez, descendants of the former buyers of the hermitage, commissioned the sculptor Carmelo Vicent Suria, of Valencia, the current image and throne of the Saint.
On February 4 the Saint is moved before a great multitude of devout that have done promises, up to the parochial temple of the Santos Juanes, where it stays the night to go out, after a High Mass and accompanied by the authorities, in pilgrimage up to her hermitage.
Many people of the region and bordering villages who come to put votive offerings to the Saint that "fa miracles".
San Emigdio’s Rogation
On March 21, 1829, in the earlier hours of the night, an earthquake caused many victims and destroyed several adjacent villages with Catral: Almoradí, Benejúzar, Torrevieja, Guardamar, etc, without here nothing disagreeable was happening.
In gratitude by it, every year, in the evening, at the same hour that took place the earthquake, becomes a public rogation.
SThere go out in procession the images of San Emigdio, Saint Cristo de la Salud and the Virgen de la Soledad. A group of singers accompanied by musicians of the locality sing the Holy God and the Litanies of the Saints.
Cross’s day
There are in Catral three constructions with their corresponding crosses. These are placed: On the Road of Dolores, in the square of the hermitage of Santa Águeda and in the Way of the Cross. Is in this last neighbourhood where traditionally the holidays of the Cross are celebrated, with dances and popular games.
San Juan
These are the Patron Saint festivities of the locality. They coincide with the first days of the summer and the Holidays are organized by the Town hall.
These are a very participative holidays in that combines all the people, from children to older people, in many and varied celebrations. They usually begin with the crowning of the Queen Festival, in a spectacular and ceremonious gala.
The most significant is the day of the popular Cavalcade, where the groups and the neighbourhoods of the locality take part, with funniest and amazing costumes. It is usually held on Saturday before San Juan.
Also there has recovered the tradition of making a Bonfire or Fault. It is planted by the neighbours of the Santa Barbara’s street and often contains some topic or ironic motive. There are shows for young and children’s traditional games and Popular Huts.
Jesus's heart
It is celebrated on June 29, principally is a religious festivity, which is organized and meets expenses by a group of sacrificed and enthusiastic women who work all the year.
It has become very popular, since the day before there is realized the Concert of "La Banderita", called this way because this piece belong to the work "Las Corsarias" that the Band of Music plays in the passacaglia around the village after the concert. It is sung and danced all over the world around it, before the "Great firecracker" across Santa Barbara Street, where everybody run off to hear the first thunders.
At the end of the day a beautiful and romantic dance at the Square.
La Purísima
La Purísima is the Patron Saint of Catral. It is the Privileged brotherhood of the Holiest Rosary and the Virgin of the Hermitage which takes charge organizing the popular and religious feasts, which start on December 7 with the movement of the Patron from the Hermitage to the Parochial Temple. The 8th is the big day and a Solemn Procession is celebrated, with the assistance of authorities and Carnival Queens.
After the novena, in which it is a custom that the priests of Catral preach, the Virgin is returned, in Pilgrimage to the Hermitage.
Christmas Time and The Three Wise Men
It is the three wise men’s parade, the holidays, within the Christmas time, where the organization of the Town hall becomes more visible. On January 5 her majesties the three wise men leave presents to the children of Catral who before have requested to the Royal Postman, after a spectacular parade.
Holy Week
The Holy Week of Catral has experienced a considerable increase. The great labour that from the different Brotherhoods and Fraternities have been developing all the year is reflected in a great aesthetic improvement of the Passionate parades.
The making and reform of thrones, the restoration of images and wardrobe of the same ones, the renovation of banners, the penitents' increase, as well as the incorporation of new processional steps like that they demonstrates it. This external improvement is not exempt of the most important of the elements: the religious. The Septenario de Dolores, the Via Crucis Penitencial and the massive participation in the acts and Trades of the Holy Week is testify.
- The Palm Sunday, the Brotherhood of Nuesto Padre Jesus Triunfante realizes its penitential station. Carrying to their holder on shoulder the components of the Band of Bugles and Drums "The Santos Juanes" of Catral, accompanied by innumerable children or girls with showy palms.
In the evening take place the so called procession of "Las Mantillas", for being this article the traditional one that there use the women to accompany the Virgen de Dolores. - On The holy Monday Nuestro Padre Jesus Cautivo, realizes its Penitential station, called Procession of the Escapularios.
- On The holy Tuesday the Procession del Traslado is realized, from the parochial church to the Hermitage of the Virgin There participate the Confraternities of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, Santa Mujer Verónica, San Juan Evangelista, Ntra. Sra.de los Dolores and the Stmo. Cristo de la Salud.
- The Holy Thursday take places the Procession of the Silence.
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On Good Friday, from 5 hours is the singing of the Passion. Traditional songs accompanied by a unique tube of two meters in length, mounted on two wheeled carts. They are short melodies with lyrics referring to The Passion.
At 8:00 from the Hermitage the Procession of Encuentro goes out, the same Confraternities that did the movement meet together in the Square of Spain, where is the “meeting” of Jesus Nazareno with the Virgin of Dolores.
In the evening, the named procession of the funeral, and participate in addition to the above the Brotherhood del Sepulcro and of the Virgen de la Soledad. - The Easter Sunday, take place the meeting of Maria with her Revived Son. They go out the Virgen de la Encarnación, from the Hermitage, with the face covered by a veil and from the parochial church the Holiest low canopy. They are to half of the street, take the veil off from the Virgin and the carriers make "courtesies” to the Holiest. In the evening the young and children celebrate the Easter. It is a custom to go out to the field or to the "Summit" to lunch. Obligatory the Easter cake.