Santo Toribio Festivities in Palencia
The Santo Toribio Festival in Palencia takes place during the month of April and its duration varies each year, although it usually lasts for about a week.
During the festival, various activities are organized for all audiences, such as concerts, street shows, fairs and markets, sports activities, bullfights, and fireworks. Masses and processions in honor of Santo Toribio are also held.
The most important day of the festival is April 16, Santo Toribio's day, when the saint's procession takes place through the city streets. The procession ends at the Palencia Cathedral, where a solemn mass is celebrated.
The Santo Toribio Festival in Palencia is an occasion to enjoy the city's culture, music, cuisine, and tradition, as well as to honor the patron saint of Palencia.
The origin of the Santo Toribio Festival in Palencia dates back to the 18th century, when a plague outbreak occurred in the city. The people of Palencia turned to the intercession of the Peruvian bishop Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo, who had been canonized in 1726, to protect them from the epidemic.
According to tradition, Santo Toribio heard the prayers of the people of Palencia and saved them from the plague, becoming the patron saint of the city. Since then, a festival has been celebrated in his honor every year, which has become one of the most important festivals in the city of Palencia.
Although the religious tradition remains an important part of the Santo Toribio Festival in Palencia, over the years a wide variety of recreational and cultural activities have been added to make the celebration accessible to all audiences and become a festive event for the entire city.
