Saint Valero, Patron Saint of Saragossa
Next January 29th we celebrate Saragossa San Valero. One of the most important festivals for the people of Saragossa in which we honor our patron saint. The tradition on this date is to get together with family and friends and eat the traditional San Valero roscón. The city bustles with activity on this date with religious and cultural celebrations with the giant roscón in the Plaza del Pilar as the center of the party.
Who was Saint Valero?
Saint Valero was bishop of the city of Saragossa during the Persecution of Diocletian. At a time when Christianity was prohibited and persecuted, Valero was tried for spreading the Christian faith. According to tradition, Valero was a stutterer, so he delegated his defense to his deacon Vincent. The daring speech with which Vicente defended both cost him his life, and for this reason he is known as Saint Vincent the Martyr.
Why is San Valero Patron Saint of Saragossa ?
When Alfonso I reconquered Saragossa in the 12th century, they decided to take the remains of the Saint, which rested in the Pyrenees, to the city. The relics of Saint Valero still rest in La Seo de Saragossa , very close to the Hotel Sauce, in a reliquary bust that represents the head of the saint. This bust has its own story. It is a donation from the famous Pope Benedict XIII, the famous Pope Luna. And according to tradition, the face represented is not that of Saint Valero, but that of the pope himself.
When is San Valero celebrated?
The San Valero festival takes place on January 29. These are traditionally cold and windy dates in Saragossa . That is why it is always said that San Valero is a rosconero and a windy man.
Why do you eat roscón in San Valero?
The tradition of the roscón, a sweet circular-shaped bun, is very ancient. It is linked to different celebrations, and the roscón de Reyes is very popular, which is consumed on the occasion of the celebration of the Epiphany. But in Saragossa the roscón is inseparable from the San Valero festival. There is evidence that as early as 1800, San Valero roscones were prepared in various establishments.
What is the best San Valero roscón in Saragossa ?
The tradition of the San Valero roscón is so deep-rooted that there is no shortage of roscón in any window of the city’s pastry shops and bakeries. The most popular is the giant roscón served in the Plaza del Pilar. More than 20,000 portions for a 650-meter roscón. But although not so big, our favorite is, naturally, the roscón from our café Mi HABITACIÓN favorita A tender crown of brioche with the best aromatics, tender and delicious and prepared with or without cream.
