XÀBIA’S BELLS ARE HOME AFTER THE HOISTING PROCESS IS COMPLETE
The traditional wooden rattle has also been replaced in the church tower, the only working example remaining in the Marina Alta.
An emotional week for the people of Xàbia has reached a satisfactory conclusion as the treasured bells of San Bartolomé were finally lifted back into place after a long restoration process.
The bronze bells – Bertomeua, Victoria, Sebastiana and María del Perpetuo Socorro – had arrived back in the town on Friday and had sat in the church square over the weekend so that the public could get up close and personal. On Sunday morning, they were blessed by the Archbishop of Valencia Don Enrique Benavent Vidal after which bell-ringers from Valencia Cathedral rang the four bells in a traditional manner.
On Monday, the three smaller bells (Victoria, Sebastiana and María del Perpetuo Socorro) were hoisted back into place with millimetre precision. However, it was found that “Bertomeua” (1,450kg) was too heavy for the crane and consequently its lift was delayed 24 hours until more capable lifting gear was provided. And thus, at noon on Tuesday, the large bell was hoisted slowly back into position to join the other three and its arrival was greeted by great applause from the onlookers watching the operation.
Sebastiana is named after the patron saint of Xàbia and is the one the faces south. Victòria faces north towards Montgó whilst the new bell María del Perpetuo Socorro faces east towards the sea. And finally, Bertomeua “La Grossa” faces west towards the valley that also bears its name. We will have to wait a little longer for them to ring out across the town as the entire system has to be installed before they can do so.
La Batzola
Xàbia will also hear the sound of the “batzola”, a traditional wooden rattle that will ring on Good Friday, the only one remaining in the Marina Alta. The church has been known to have had a “noisemaker” as long ago as the middle of the 18th century. A new one has also been installed alongside the bells. The church in Ondara also has a rattle but its condition has deteriorated to such an extent that it is no longer used.
Wooden rattles have long been used by the Catholic faith during Semana Santa – Holy Week – which was considered to be such a sombre time that the ringing of church bells seemed to be inappropriate. However, there needed to be some way to call the faithful to mass and the batzola was the answer, its mournful and dry sound perfect for the job. Traditionally, it would ring between the morning of Maundy Thursday and Easter Saturday.
