August 16 The Feast Day of San Roque in Yecla

A procession followed by a cooling refreshment to venerate the patron saint of warding off plagues

During the 16^th and 17^th centuries the figure of San Roque (San Roch) gained enormous popularity and a considerable following ìn Spain, particularly because he was believed to be the patron of protection against epidemics, storms, drought and other evils. Of special interest were his powers to ward off the plague and other epidemics, which were frequently the scourge of entire towns.

(As is the way with these things, he is also the patron of bachelors, grave-diggers, second-hand dealers, diseased cattle, dogs, the falsely accused, invalids, the city of Istanbul, surgeons, tile-makers and apothecaries, and can be invoked against cholera, epidemics, knee problems, plague and skin diseases!)

In Yecla in the north of the Region of Murcia, the veneration of the Saint still survives and his feast day is celebrated, although fairly discreetly, on 20^th August. In 2025 the events at the church dedicated to him begins with Holy Mass at 20.00, after which a procession follows a route along Calle San Roque, Calle Perales, Calle del Carmen, Calle Gerona and Calle Alfarería before returning to the church.

At approximately 21.30 lemon “granizado” (a slush smoothie) is served at the door of the church.

Visiting information is available from the tourist office of Yecla (email turismo@yecla.es) or, for more local events, news and visiting information in English, go to the home page of Yecla Today.