The celebrations in honour of the patron saint of Orihuela, (since 1633) the Virgin of Monserrate, take place on September 8. The Saints days of Saint Justa and Rufina are also celebrated on this day.

The events begin when there is a romeria or pilgrim walk and the virgin is taken from her sanctuary to the cathedral where it is left for a few days, looking over the main chapel. A novena takes place, as does a besamanto or kissing of the virgin’s robes, to which hundreds of people turn up to show their devotion. September 8 is the big day - after the mass which is said by the Bishop of the diocese, there is a procession and the statue of the virgin is taken around the centre of the city. The celebrations end when the virgin is taken back to her church.

Our Lady of Monserrate is venerated in a sanctuary above a cave which was discovered in 1306. Legend tells that she was hidden there during Muslim rule. Once the city had been taken back, for three days in a row, the sound of a bell could be heard coming from the rock. The neighbours, shocked by the sound went to see what was happening and they found the statue of the virgin under a bell in what is known as the Cave of the Discovery or Cueva del Hallazgo. The current temple was rebuilt in the XVIII century.