Valencia has an abundance of history, and one of the city’s most compelling tales is that of the Virgen de los Desamparados. The Virgin of the Forsaken, or Our Lady of the Abandoned, is a beloved figure in Valencia, and her story is a testament to the unwavering devotion of the city’s people.
The origin story of the Virgen de los Desamparados is shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that the statue was discovered centuries ago by a group of orphans. The orphans are said to have found the statue on the banks of the Turia River, and they brought it to the nearby town of Alboraya.
Over the years, the statue was moved to Valencia, where it found its current home in the Ayuntamiento, or City Hall. Today, the Virgen de los Desamparados is the patron saint of Valencia, and she is honored every year during the city’s massive Fallas festival.
The Virgen de los Desamparados is a symbol of hope and compassion for Valencia’s people, and her story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a light to guide us. So the next time you’re in Valencia, be sure to pay a visit to the Ayuntamiento and take a moment to pay your respects to the patron saint of this beautiful and historic city.
” Sources valenciasecreta.com ”