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Benidorm Marks Centenary of the Coronation of the Verge del Sofratge with Major Public Celebration

 

Benidorm / 8 February 2026

 

Benidorm has brought to a close the commemorative events marking the Centenary of the Coronation of the Verge del Sofratge, its patron saint, with a large-scale religious and civic celebration attended by more than 2,000 people.

 

The main ceremony took place in the Plaza de SS MM los Reyes de España, where a Thanksgiving Mass was officiated by the Bishop of the Orihuela-Alicante Diocese, José Ignacio Munilla Aguirre, and concelebrated by all the priests of the town. The Mass was accompanied by the Benidorm Choir and the city’s three marching bands — Unión Musical, Societat Musical L’Illa and Societat Musical La Nova — with additional contributions from Camerata Ars Cantica, ACR La Barqueta and the singers of the Centenary hymn.

 

During the ceremony, the image of the Virgin was presented with a gold brooch in the shape of a crown, created through public contributions and engraved with the names of the people of Benidorm. The offering symbolised the affection and devotion of the town on the 100th anniversary of the Virgin’s proclamation and coronation as patron saint.

 

The events were attended by the municipal council, led by Mayor Toni Pérez, alongside numerous regional and national representatives, including the President of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, regional minister José Antonio Rovira, senators Gerardo Camps and Agustín Almodóbar, and regional deputies José Ramón González de Zárate and Manuel Pérez Fenoll. Also present were the Queens of the Patron Saint Festivities, Laura Ivars and Carmen Guillem, with their courts of honour, as well as representatives from across Benidorm’s civic and cultural organisations.

 

Due to adverse weather conditions, some elements of the programme were adapted. The planned aerial display was cancelled because of strong winds, and the route of the procession from the Church of San Jaime to the main square was modified. The image of the Virgin was carried on the shoulders of the Mariners de la Mare de Déu through the town centre, accompanied by local festival associations, cultural groups and hundreds of residents lining the streets.

 

Following the Mass, the celebrations continued with a mascletà fired from the Óscar Esplá Auditorium. Later, during the return procession to the Church of San Jaime, Mayor Toni Pérez and Bishop Munilla unveiled a commemorative tile on Alameda Street, marking the exact location where the Virgin was crowned in 1926.

 

The Centenary celebrations concluded with the playing of the national anthem as the Virgin returned to her chapel, bringing to an end a historic programme of events that has been followed with strong public participation since its presentation in December.