The Tortosa Festival is celebrated in honour of Mare de Déu de la Cinta, the city's patron saint. It is held around the first Sunday in September. The festival has a long tradition behind it.
In the early 16th Century, with the aim of increasing the worship of the Virgin of the Cinta, the Bishop of Tortosa, Alfonso d'Aragó, established the festival for the worshippers on the second Sunday in October. This festival was held on that date until 1867, when it was moved to the first Sunday in September, the date on which it is still celebrated to this day.
In 1863, the Virgin of the Cinta was proclaimed the patron saint of the city, together with the Guardian Angel.
The festival starts on the Saturday before the weekend of the first Sunday in September, with the announcement of the pubilles and pubilletes (heiresses of the city) and the opening speech of the City Festival. The Festival of the Virgin of the Cinta as they are popularly known run over the course of five days from Thursday to the first Monday in September. Sunday is the day of the City's Patron Saint and lots of religious ceremonies are held in honour of the Virgin of the Cinta. During these days, the people of the city take to the streets to participate in popular, traditional folk and leisure activities, such as dances, music concerts, the correfoc firework spectacle, the Cosso Iris rainbow parade, Corpus Christi and religious acts, such as the offering and procession.
