Old House of the Notary Joan Vives

It is here that the legend of the Purísima Xiqueta, the miraculous patron saint of Benissa, was born

According to a local tale, the owners of this house once hosted two pilgrims, who gave them a miraculous religious vignette of the Puríssima Xiqueta in thanks for their hospitality. From this moment onwards, the family began to notice a number of miraculous events, and they notified the priest. And thus, the Puríssima Xiqueta was officially proclaimed the Patron Saint of Benissa in 1684. The frontispiece of this house’s gate features a ceramic tile plaque that tells of the miracles performed by the Puríssima Xiqueta for this family.

It is in front of this house that the evening of the “día del Riberer” is held in held in April, one of the most moving and attractive events in the festivities in honour of the Puríssima Xiqueta. The entire village (and many visitors eager to witness the spectacle) gather there to sing two hymns in front of the image, both in her honour and in that of the town. Locals are all dressed with the characteristic local smocks according to their year of birth. Following that, a chain of firecrackers is lit from the church to the house, suspended above the audience. The chain of firecrackers ends with a beautiful image of the patron saint in fireworks and with the people acclaiming their Xiqueta.