Corpus Christi in Cádiz

Corpus Christi has been one of Cádiz's main festivals since early times. The City Council notes that in 1596 the old cathedral of Santa Cruz already had a monstrance, known as 'El Cogollo' and attributed to the silversmith Enrique de Arfe, which is still carried inside the large monstrance. That great silver monstrance was made in 1664: it is about three and a half metres tall, weighs 390 kilos and the City Council describes it as the tallest in Spain. It has three tiers, a base from 1692 and a carriage from 1721, and is moved on wheels by eight people from inside.

In 1861 mayor Juan Valverde promoted a more solemn Corpus with festivities in the streets, known as the Velada del Corpus. Today the festival is held on a Sunday and is organised by the Cathedral Chapter and the City Council, with the help of the Local Council of Brotherhoods.

The procession includes children who have just made their First Communion, representatives of the brotherhoods, Blessed Diego José de Cádiz, the patron saints Servando and Germán, the Virgen del Rosario, patron saint of the city, and, at the end, the carriage of the Monstrance.

The procession leaves the Cathedral and follows the so-called Carrera del Corpus: calle Compañía, Santiago, plaza de Candelaria, Cardenal Zapata, plaza de San Agustín, San Francisco, Nueva, plaza de San Juan de Dios and Pelota, returning to plaza de la Catedral. The brotherhoods set up altars along the route and a carpet is laid in plaza de San Juan de Dios, in front of the Town Hall.

On the eve the brotherhoods set up their altars along the route, and the Virgen del Rosario and Blessed Diego are taken to the Cathedral. The City Council puts up awnings over the most emblematic streets and dresses balconies with hangings; many residents hang flags.

Sunday begins with a band playing the 'diana floreada' along the route and the pontifical Mass in the Cathedral, attended by the city councillors in formal procession. Then the procession sets off and, when it ends, the bishop gives the blessing from the Cathedral door. The Brotherhoods Council holds an altar and shop window competition every year, and its youth section makes the carpet in plaza de San Juan de Dios, of salt or dyed sand depending on the year.