On 8th September, Málaga celebrates its Patron Saint, Santa María de la Victoria. The day is an blend of history, religious fervour, tourism and traditions.

But its roots go back to the 15th century, the reconquest of Spain, and in particular the Catholic monarchs´ siege of Málaga in 1487. As the second largest city and the most important port in Moorish Emirate of Granada, Málaga was a major target for the Catholic monarchs. King Ferdinand left Córdoba with an army of 20,000 horsemen, 50,000 labourers, and 8,000 troops. First, they attacked Vélez-Málaga, and then continued west to Málaga.

The battle was a slow grind, lasting four months, as Málaga was well fortified. But the eventual victory was attributed to the divine intervention of the Virgin, and so an image of the Virgin, that King Ferdinand had in is oratory, was given to the city, and a chapel built on the site of the King's military camp to adore the image, only to be replaced in 1700 with what is now the sanctuary of the Virgin of Victory. In 1867, Mary was officially proclaimed the main patron saint of Málaga by Pope Pius IX.

Celebrations on the day begin with a special mass at the Cathedral followed in the afternoon by a procession in which the Virgin, carried on her throne, passes through the streets of the city’s historic centre, before beginning her return journey to the Victoria neighbourhood, which marks the closing of the festival.

Picture above: part of the statue of Santa María de la Victoria from the Basílica y Real Santuario de Santa María de la Victoria y de la Merced in Málaga. Photo in the public domain. {{Information |Description={{es|1=Virgen de la Victoria}} |Source=Trabajo propio |Author=Yo |Date=martes, 29 de septiembre de 2009 |Permission=Es mio |other_versions= }}