Saint Ferdinand's Day

Ferdinand III, King of Castile, conquered Cordoba in 1236, Jaén in 1246 and Seville in 1248, where he received the keys to the city on 23 November. He died in the Alcázar of Seville in 1252 and was buried in the former great mosque, by then turned into a cathedral. He was canonised in 1671 and is the city's patron saint, whose feast is held on 30 May. His body rests in a silver urn at the feet of the Virgen de los Reyes, in the Royal Chapel of the Cathedral.

The City Council counts Saint Ferdinand's Day among the city's Fiestas Mayores and in recent years has added a cultural and educational programme, with theatrical tours about Ferdinand III and the conquest of Seville for schoolchildren.

At the Cathedral, in the Royal Chapel, where the silver urn holding the body of the Saint King is opened. In the evening the City Council holds the ceremony presenting the city's honours and distinctions.

On that day the reliquary urn of Saint Ferdinand is opened in the Royal Chapel and the faithful can venerate the king. The City Council attends the choral office and the morning mass, and at midday the mass of the patron saint of the Army Engineers is held, with military representatives.

It is also 'Seville's day': in the evening the City Council presents the City Medals, the title of Favourite Son and other distinctions to residents and organisations.