{"id":4237,"date":"2026-10-03T14:46:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T12:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/?p=4237"},"modified":"2026-10-03T14:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T12:46:19","slug":"sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"Sant Don\u00eds Mocador\u00e0 in Gandia: marzipan, handkerchiefs and workshops for 9 October"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From 6 to 9 October<\/strong>, Gandia&#8217;s <strong>passeig de les Germanies<\/strong> fills with marzipan fruit, piuletes and tronadors for the <strong>13th Mocador\u00e0<\/strong>, the display and sale with which the town&#8217;s pastry cooks and bakers celebrate Sant Don\u00eds, the Valencian day of lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is organised by the <strong>Associaci\u00f3 de Pastissers i Forners de Gandia<\/strong> together with Gandia Town Council, and includes charity workshops for children and an afternoon in the Grau. It is a good opportunity to discover one of the sweetest customs of the 9 d&#8217;Octubre and to take home a mocador\u00e0 made by local pastry cooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 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-6ac5d0f8411a2\" 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-6ac5d0f8411a2\"  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\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#What_is_the_mocadora\" >What is the mocador\u00e0?<\/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\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#From_firecracker_to_marzipan_the_origins_of_the_tradition\" >From firecracker to marzipan: the origins of the tradition<\/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\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#Sales_hours_on_the_passeig_de_les_Germanies\" >Sales hours on the passeig de les Germanies<\/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\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#Childrens_marzipan_workshops_for_a_good_cause\" >Children&#8217;s marzipan workshops for a good cause<\/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\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#A_mocadora_afternoon_in_the_Grau\" >A mocador\u00e0 afternoon in the Grau<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/sant-donis-mocadora-gandia-marzipan-tradition\/#Practical_information_for_your_visit\" >Practical information for your visit<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_mocadora\"><\/span>What is the mocador\u00e0?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every <strong>9 October<\/strong>, the feast of <strong>Sant Don\u00eds<\/strong> (Saint Denis), it is a tradition across the Valencia region to give your partner a knotted handkerchief, the <em>mocador<\/em>, wrapped around small pieces of marzipan. Colourful fruit and vegetables made of raw marzipan surround two larger figures of baked marzipan: the <strong>piuleta<\/strong> and the <strong>tronador<\/strong>. Because of this custom, many Valencians regard 9 October as their own Valentine&#8217;s Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_firecracker_to_marzipan_the_origins_of_the_tradition\"><\/span>From firecracker to marzipan: the origins of the tradition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On <strong>9 October 1238<\/strong> Jaume I entered the city of Val\u00e8ncia, and the date, which falls on Sant Don\u00eds, eventually became a festival. For centuries it was celebrated with plenty of noise: on the eve and throughout the day, rockets and firecrackers were set off, among them the piuletes and the tronadors. After the War of the Spanish Succession, the Nueva Planta decrees of the 18th century banned the commemoration of the king&#8217;s entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most widespread explanation is that Valencian confectioners responded by shaping the forbidden firecrackers in marzipan. From the very beginning the sweets were given wrapped in a handkerchief, and over time the handkerchief gave its name to the custom. The fruit and vegetables have a romantic legend of their own: they are said to represent the produce of the huerta offered to Jaume I and Queen Violant d&#8217;Hongria after the conquest. If you are curious about the conqueror king&#8217;s mark on the area, we look at the links between <a href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/jaume-i-gandia-bairen-medieval-town\/\">Jaume I and Gandia, from Bair\u00e9n Castle to the medieval town<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sales_hours_on_the_passeig_de_les_Germanies\"><\/span>Sales hours on the passeig de les Germanies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The stalls are set up on the passeig de les Germanies, in front of the <a href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/casa-de-la-marquesa-gandia-history-architecture-romantic-garden\/\">Casa de la Marquesa<\/a>, right in the town centre. Sales hours are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October:<\/strong> <strong>10:00 to 14:00<\/strong> and <strong>17:00 to 21:00<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Friday 9 October:<\/strong> <strong>10:00 to 15:00<\/strong>, without a break.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Childrens_marzipan_workshops_for_a_good_cause\"><\/span>Children&#8217;s marzipan workshops for a good cause<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On <strong>6 and 7 October<\/strong>, from <strong>17:30 to 20:00<\/strong>, the same space hosts hands-on workshops for children. Guided by the pastry cooks, youngsters shape and paint their own marzipan fruit and whistles, and take the results home. Taking part costs a donation of <strong>\u20ac2<\/strong>, which goes in full to Gandia&#8217;s <strong>Preventori<\/strong>, and no booking is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_mocadora_afternoon_in_the_Grau\"><\/span>A mocador\u00e0 afternoon in the Grau<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On <strong>Thursday 8 October<\/strong>, from <strong>17:30 to 20:00<\/strong>, the Mocador\u00e0 also moves to the <strong>pla\u00e7a de la Marina<\/strong> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/el-grau-gandia-port-english-railway-seafaring-history\/\">Grau de Gandia<\/a>, with activities designed for families. It is a convenient way to enjoy the tradition if you are staying near the port or the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_information_for_your_visit\"><\/span>Practical information for your visit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Where:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=Passeig+de+les+Germanies+Gandia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">passeig de les Germanies<\/a>, in front of the Casa de la Marquesa (6 to 9 October), and pla\u00e7a de la Marina in the Grau (afternoon of the 8th).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Workshops:<\/strong> 6 and 7 October, 17:30 to 20:00; \u20ac2 donation to the Preventori.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Organisers:<\/strong> Associaci\u00f3 de Pastissers i Forners de Gandia and Gandia Town Council.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if the mocador\u00e0 whets your appetite, carry on exploring the cooking of La Safor with the story of <a href=\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/fideua-gandia-history-seafaring-tradition\/\">Gandia&#8217;s fideu\u00e0, the town&#8217;s seafaring dish<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Event\",\n  \"name\": \"13th Sant Don\u00eds Mocador\u00e0 in Gandia\",\n  \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n  \"startDate\": \"2026-10-06T10:00:00+02:00\",\n  \"endDate\": \"2026-10-09T15:00:00+02:00\",\n  \"eventStatus\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/EventScheduled\",\n  \"eventAttendanceMode\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/OfflineEventAttendanceMode\",\n  \"location\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Place\",\n    \"name\": \"Passeig de les Germanies (in front of the Casa de la Marquesa)\",\n    \"address\": {\n      \"@type\": \"PostalAddress\",\n      \"streetAddress\": \"Passeig de les Germanies\",\n      \"addressLocality\": \"Gandia\",\n      \"addressRegion\": \"Valencia\",\n      \"addressCountry\": \"ES\"\n    }\n  },\n  \"image\": [\"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/mocadora-sant-donis-gandia-2026-cartel.jpg\"],\n  \"description\": \"Display and sale of the Sant Don\u00eds mocador\u00e0 (marzipan fruit, piuleta and tronador wrapped in the traditional handkerchief) on Gandia's passeig de les Germanies, with charity workshops for children and an afternoon in the pla\u00e7a de la Marina in the Grau.\",\n  \"organizer\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n      \"name\": \"Associaci\u00f3 de Pastissers i Forners de Gandia\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n      \"name\": \"Ajuntament de Gandia\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.gandia.es\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From 6 to 9 October, Gandia&#8217;s passeig de les Germanies fills with marzipan fruit, piuletes and tronadors for the 13th Mocador\u00e0, the display and sale with which the town&#8217;s pastry cooks and bakers celebrate Sant Don\u00eds, the Valencian day of lovers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"borgia26_language":"en","borgia26_translation_group":"mocadora-sant-donis-gandia","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,200,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultura","category-fiestas","category-gastronomia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237","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=4237"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4242,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4237\/revisions\/4242"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotelborgia.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}