Alcalá de Henares Celebrates Patron Saint Festivities and Preserves Ceramic Heritage

Alcalá de Henares will host its patron saint festivities from 3 to 9 August, honoring the Santos Niños Justo and Pastor. The programme combines religious ceremonies – including the transfer of relics, a solemn mass and a procession on 6 August – with concerts by local bands, DJ sessions, children’s activities, guided tours, a swimming trophy, a chess tournament and charitable food distributions. The historic centre and Plaza de los Santos Niños will serve as the main stage.

On 19 July, the Cofradía of Saints Justa and Rufina, a centuries‑old brotherhood of descendants of the city's potters, celebrated its annual mass for the third‑century martyrs who are patrons of alfarería. After the liturgy, the leadership symbols were passed to the new sister, María Lozano López. The cofraternity continues to safeguard the legacy of the Alcala‑clay pottery that once supplied the region, despite the closure of the local kilns half a century ago.