The municipality of Los Realejos celebrates its most special day of the year this Friday, 3rd May, known as Day of the Cross. The highlight of the festivities begins in the early hours of Thursday to Friday at midnight, once the countdown of the luminous clock located outside the Tourist Information Office reaches zero and the first fireworks of the day are lit. The celebrations continue throughout the day, until 10:00 pm, when the popular and highly anticipated pyrotechnic display organised by the residents of the rival streets Calle Sol and Calle El Medio Arriba takes place.
The sky of Los Realejos fills with colours on the most important night of the year for its inhabitants. The pyrotechnic celebration organised by the residents of both streets is one of the largest and most renowned in Europe. Additionally, it is the main draw for visitors who travel from other locations to enjoy the fireworks competition and decorated crosses.
The celebration of Cruces y Fuego de Mayo, declared a National Tourist Interest Festivity, represents the rivalry between the emblematic streets El Sol and El Medio, which began in 1770 due to conflicts between the working-class neighbours of the former and the privileged residents of the latter.
Procession and fireworks
At 10:00 pm, as tradition dictates, the silver Holy Cross will be paraded from the Parish Church of Apostle Santiago in the vicinity of Realejo Alto. The first part will be led by Calle El Sol, with a pyrotechnic display by the Hermanos Toste, natives of Los Realejos, and the second part by Calle El Medio and the Hermanos Caballer from Valencia. One of the most emotional moments is the meeting at the intermediate Calle de La Pila, for the transfer of the Cross over the line that divides the two main streets. The event will also be live-streamed on the official Facebook page of the Tourism Department, Los Realejos con los cinco sentidos.
There is a free parking area available for attendees, but the streets in the city centre will be closed to traffic during the day. On Friday, there will be a free bus service starting at 10:30 am and running until 5:30 pm.
Those travelling from other areas to enjoy the festivity can do so via this transportation service that will make stops at Avenida de los Remedios, Plaza de la Calle El Medio, Calle Doctor González, and Plaza de La Cruz Santa, showcasing the decorated crosses from different parts of Realejo Alto and La Cruz Santa surroundings. The two points of departure and arrival will be from La Cruz Santa to Calle El Sol and Calle El Medio and vice versa. A new feature this year is the provision of an adapted bus to facilitate accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Programme
From 11:30 pm on Thursday 2nd, the two streets responsible for this tradition will parade through the town accompanied by a batucada to Plaza Viera y Clavijo, where the clock that counts down the days until the much-awaited culmination of the festivities is located. The tolling of bells and the first fireworks will signal the beginning of the big day at noon. Subsequently, each street will host a dance.
At 7:00 am, the traditional Despertá will take place, where the churches and chapels of both streets ring their bells and set off fireworks to wake up the town. From then on, people visit the over eighty crosses decorated by the residents.
At 11:30 am, the Eucharist will commence, followed by the first procession and the fireworks display. Additionally, until 7:00 pm, Viera y Clavijo will host the III Gastronomic Fair of Cruces y Fuegos de Mayo. During the afternoon, there will be a concert and various street performances.
The tireless effort of the locals of Los Realejos
Hugo Mesa, a resident of Calle El Sol, believes that it is the most emotional day of the year for any person from Los Realejos. “Preparations begin from the 4th of May of the previous year so that each edition surpasses the last”. The inhabitants of the two streets are responsible for raising funds, preparing decorations, and adorning the crosses. The fireworks are their unique way of paying tribute After the procession that marks the end of the Day of the Cross, the countdown clock for the next year’s celebration will be reset.
