Thousands of people joined a nighttime pilgrimage in Seville to honor the city's patron saint, the Virgen de los Reyes, according to the Archidiócesis de Sevilla. The event took place on August 15, 2026, the feast day of the Virgin's Assumption, and marked the 80th anniversary of her official patronage over the city.
The procession, which lasted about an hour and a half, drew large crowds despite high temperatures, as reported by La Razón. The Archidiócesis de Sevilla, which organized the pilgrimage, described it as a nocturnal walk to see the patroness. The route allowed devotees to accompany the image through the streets of the Andalusian capital.
Local authorities made adjustments to accommodate the event, according to Andalucía Información. Bus schedules were moved up by half an hour, and additional cleaning and security measures were put in place around the procession route. The changes were designed to manage the large number of attendees and ensure public safety during the warm summer evening.
The event carried particular significance this year, as Onda Cero noted that the procession commemorated eight decades since the Virgen de los Reyes was formally declared the patron saint of Seville. The anniversary added weight to the annual celebration, drawing both regular worshippers and those marking the milestone.
Diario de Sevilla framed the procession as a "last bastion of purity," a characterization that underscores the deep cultural and religious attachment many sevillanos hold for the tradition. The night march remains one of the city's most important religious observances.
What to watch next: Whether the anniversary year prompts additional commemorative events in Seville before the end of 2026.
