marian anniversaries     august

Last Thursday in August

Mare de Déu del Remei, Santa Oliva, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

Within the former castle of the Santa Oliva family near the Mediterranean Sea, the Romanesque church of Sant Julià was rebuilt in the 1700s in Baroque style as the Church of the Mother of God of Remedy. In 1854, the townspeople of Santa Oliva vowed to take the statue of the Virgin of Remedy in procession annually if they were spared the cholera that was scouring the region. The epidemic did not reach Santa Oliva, and every year since, the Vot del Poble fulfills the town's vow on the last Thursday in August. The Fiesta lasts a week. Thursday's celebrations begin at 8 am with matinades played on grallas, olive-wood wind instruments unique to Catalonia, similar to recorders, but with reeds. At 11:30, the Vot del Poble takes place: the Virgin's statue is brought down, accompanied by an orchestra, costumed giants, and gralla players. After solemn mass, the statue goes in procession through the streets. Later there are children's games, music, and dancing.