{"id":3127,"date":"2026-08-09T00:42:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/?p=3127"},"modified":"2026-08-09T00:42:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:42:03","slug":"corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/","title":{"rendered":"Corpus Christi in Gandia, the festival danced since 1391"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every year, <strong>between late May and June<\/strong>, Gandia celebrates <strong>Corpus Christi<\/strong>, a festival that the city has kept alive <strong>since 1391<\/strong>: centuries-old dances, giant tapers and streets carpeted with myrtle in the heart of the Centre Hist\u00f2ric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gandia&#8217;s Corpus Christi is one of the oldest celebrations in the Valencian Community and, probably, the one that best captures the character of the city: in the morning, the solemnity of the <strong>Pontifical Mass<\/strong> in the Colegiata; in the afternoon, a street festival where giants, big-heads and Baroque dances coexist with the Eucharistic procession. If your visit coincides with it, it is well worth organising your day around the Pla\u00e7a Major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contenidos<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a7e62e66481e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #e41725;color:#e41725\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #e41725;color:#e41725\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a7e62e66481e\"  aria-label=\"Alternar\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/#More_than_six_centuries_of_festivities_in_the_city_of_the_Borjas\" >More than six centuries of festivities in the city of the Borjas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/#The_dances_the_Moma_the_Magrana_and_a_whole_festive_bestiary\" >The dances: the Moma, the Magrana and a whole festive bestiary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/#The_procession_els_Cirialots_and_the_aroma_of_myrtle\" >The procession: els Cirialots and the aroma of myrtle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/#Corpus_sweets_la_Delica_and_other_classics_from_La_Safor\" >Corpus sweets: la Delic\u00e0 and other classics from La Safor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/corpus-christi-gandia-dances-since-1391\/#Key_tips_for_experiencing_it\" >Key tips for experiencing it<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_than_six_centuries_of_festivities_in_the_city_of_the_Borjas\"><\/span>More than six centuries of festivities in the city of the Borjas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gandia has celebrated Corpus Christi continuously since the end of the 14th century, and the arrival of the <strong>Borja<\/strong> family in the duchy served only to grandly enhance the festival&#8217;s public staging. It is no coincidence that its epicentre is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=Colegiata+de+Gandia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Insigne Colegiata de Gandia<\/strong><\/a>, the church where <strong>Saint Francis Borja<\/strong> was baptised, nor that the religious organisation falls to the Archpriestship of the Holy Duke, which brings together all the city&#8217;s parishes. The civic side, with its street dances, is coordinated by the <strong>Associaci\u00f3 Cultural Balls del Corpus de Gandia<\/strong>, the legacy of extensive folklore recovery efforts that brought dances back to the streets that had disappeared in the 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_dances_the_Moma_the_Magrana_and_a_whole_festive_bestiary\"><\/span>The dances: the Moma, the Magrana and a whole festive bestiary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Sunday afternoon, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=Pla%C3%A7a+Major+Gandia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Pla\u00e7a Major<\/strong><\/a> becomes the stage for the <strong>Danses del Corpus<\/strong>, which are then repeated at several stops along the procession route. Here are the stars of the show:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>El Ball de la Moma<\/strong> \u2014 the jewel of the festival, documented in 1678. The Moma, dressed in white with a veil and floral crown, embodies Virtue; around her, seven Momos wearing black masks represent the capital sins, who end up surrendering before her.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>La Dans\u00e0 de la Magrana<\/strong> \u2014 a dance of coloured ribbons woven around a pole topped with a wooden pomegranate that, at the end, opens into segments to reveal a small monstrance inside.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>El Ball de Cavallets<\/strong> \u2014 documented in 1615, eight children ride papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 hobby horses, evoking the retinue of the Three Wise Men.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Els Gegants de Gandia<\/strong> \u2014 pairs of giants representing the three cultures, parading to the sound of the tabal i dol\u00e7aina.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>El Ball de Cabets<\/strong> \u2014 big-heads with grotesque and satirical expressions, providing a mocking counterpoint to the procession.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ball de Bastons, Ball d&#8217;Arquets, Dans\u00e0 dels Llauradors and Vetes de Sueca<\/strong> \u2014 warrior-style stick dances, flower arches, offerings from the fertile lands and silk ribbons complete the ensemble.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_procession_els_Cirialots_and_the_aroma_of_myrtle\"><\/span>The procession: els Cirialots and the aroma of myrtle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As dusk falls, the most solemn moment arrives. Ahead of the Monstrance march <strong>els Cirialots<\/strong>: 26 men dressed as the elders of the Apocalypse, with long white beards and wigs, carrying tapers measuring around <strong>2.65 metres<\/strong> and weighing nearly <strong>15 kilos<\/strong> each. The Monstrance is escorted by the <strong>Hermandad de la Santa Cena del barrio de Santa Anna<\/strong>, and the entire procession passes over the <strong>carpet of myrtle<\/strong> covering the streets of the historic centre: as it is stepped on, the myrtle releases a scent that permeates the entire route. It is one of those sensory details you will never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Corpus_sweets_la_Delica_and_other_classics_from_La_Safor\"><\/span>Corpus sweets: la Delic\u00e0 and other classics from La Safor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The festival is also experienced through food. The ultimate sweet treat is <strong>la Delic\u00e0 de Gandia<\/strong>, made by authorised bakeries in the city on a panquemado base with egg yolk, almond, candied orange, raisins and walnuts. Its name comes from a local legend: that of a young woman so delicate she died when a jasmine petal fell on her \u2014 although the historical version speaks of a stone fragment detached from the rose window of the Colegiata. Completing the table are pumpkin or sweet potato <strong>arnad\u00ed<\/strong>, a legacy of Andalusian pastry-making, the <strong>Corona de Gloria<\/strong>, the <strong>Casca de Reis<\/strong> and the crunchy <strong>regany\u00e0<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_tips_for_experiencing_it\"><\/span>Key tips for experiencing it<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When<\/strong> \u2014 it is a moveable feast linked to the Easter calendar: it falls between late May and June, and the main events take place on Sunday. Each year&#8217;s programme is published by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gandia.es\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Ajuntament de Gandia<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where<\/strong> \u2014 Pla\u00e7a Major, Colegiata and streets of the Centre Hist\u00f2ric, with choreographic stops along the procession route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How much it costs<\/strong> \u2014 nothing: dances, procession and cultural events are free to attend.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A top tip<\/strong> \u2014 arrive at the Pla\u00e7a Major with plenty of time to watch the afternoon dances; it is the busiest moment and the best spot to see them up close.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Valencian Corpus Christi also aims to be declared <strong>Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity<\/strong> by UNESCO, a candidacy that recognises the work of cities like Gandia to keep their dances, dol\u00e7aina music and procession alive. If you are looking for a date to discover the Centre Hist\u00f2ric in its most authentic form, this is a sure bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MOMA-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2668\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MOMA-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MOMA-1-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1686314406-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2671\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1686314406-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1686314406-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1686314406-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1686314406-1.jpg 1104w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year, between late May and June, Gandia celebrates Corpus Christi, a festival kept alive since 1391: centuries-old dances, giant tapers and streets carpeted with myrtle in the heart of the Centre Hist\u00f2ric.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"borgia26_language":"en","borgia26_translation_group":"corpus-christi-gandia","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,200,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultura","category-fiestas","category-historia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3127"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3177,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3127\/revisions\/3177"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}