Sagunto revives its San Cristóbal festival after ten years' absence
A procession, the blessing of vehicles and a mass at the hermitage marked the return of the San Cristóbal festival in Sagunto on Saturday, ten years after it was last held.
Saint Christopher, patron of drivers, has revived his festival in Sagunto after ten years without a celebration. On Saturday the procession with his image, the sprinkling of cars with holy water and a mass at the church returned. It is organised by a renewed board of the Cofradía de Chóferes San Cristóbal (Brotherhood of San Cristóbal Drivers), backed by the Amigos del Camino de Santiago association and by the Majoralia 2027, the group already preparing next year's Holy Week, whose members carried the image on their shoulders; music during the mass came from the Junior de Santa María choir. Councillor Patricia Sánchez attended, alongside fellow councillor Natalia Antonino. According to Christian tradition, the saint carried a child across a river, which is why he is venerated as a guardian of travellers and, in Spain, as the protector of drivers; his feast day falls every 25 July. Founded in 1975, the brotherhood was key to rescuing its then-ruined chapel from neglect, with municipal support. Looking ahead, organisers want to bring back other traditions: a classic-car parade, driving-skill contests, a night-time street party and a snack for children from the Centro de Educación Especial (special-education school). According to El Periódico de Aquí.