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Festival of San Lesmes

San Lesmes is, along with Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the patron saint of the city. The celebration takes place on the last Sunday in January.

Local authorities and representatives from municipal institutions attend the church of San Lesmes together. A solemn mass is held with the offering of the candle by the mayor and traditional dances to the saint by folk groups. Once outside of the church, the locals join in with the celebrations again dancing “jotas” (traditional dance) to the sound of the dulzaina  (Spanish reed instrument) and eating traditional products i.e.: chorizo, black pudding and wine.

‘Roscos de San Lesmes’ (traditional pastry) are very popular, people buy them as an offering to the saint during the mass and once they are blessed people take them home to eat. They are similar to bread and sweet buns. You can find several variations of the rosco in the patisseries, including one filled with cream that contains a surprise.