One more year, at 8 a.m., the banner was placed on the balcony of the Almería Town Hall, guarded by members of the Legion. With this event, the commemorative events of the capture of the city by the kings … Catholics and its annexation to the crown of Castile, events which occurred on December 26, 1489. On this 536th anniversary, pay homage to the flag which symbolized the entry of Christian forces into Almería during the Reconquista process.
The banner was again placed on the main balcony of the Town Hall, once the urbanization works of Plaza Viejawhich has been prepared for the occasion and hosts part of the Christmas activities scheduled in the city.
The institutional events were chaired by the Mayor of Almería, María del Mar Vázquez, with the help of the Municipal Corporation. Advisors also participated Ramón Fernández-Pacheco and Maria del Carmen Castillothe delegate of the Government of the Junta of Andalusia, Aránzazu Martín, as well as the civil, judicial and military authorities of the capital and the province.
For the second consecutive year, a section of the Local Police carried out rifle volleys to announce the guarding of the Banner by a Legion Squadron. The Legion’s Honors Section and War Band marched from Fuente de los Peces along Real Street to Constitución Square, accompanying the authorities during the day.
The Municipal Corporation, authorities and guests stood in front of the main facade of the City Hall to witness the swearing in of the Popular Municipal Group councilor Óscar Bleda, who carries the banner for the third time. From the main balcony, The mayor asked for the oath three times as the banner came down and the band played the national anthem.
Then, the procession headed towards the Cathedral through Marín, Jovellanos, Mariana and Cervantes streets, where mass was celebrated, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Almería, Antonio Gómez Cantero. After the religious ceremony, the participants returned to Plaza Vieja in procession through different streets of the center.
In Plaza Vieja, the waving of the banner was carried out three times by the mayor, with Bravo to Spain and Andalusiato the Catholic Monarchs and the Integration of Peoples. During her speech, the mayor recalled the significance of December 26 for the city and the anniversary of the peaceful capture of Almería after the performance of El Zagal.
He also highlighted that since then the city has evolved into a space of coexistence in which people of 131 nationalities reside. Councilor Ramón Fernández-Pacheco stressed that this commemoration connects the past, present and future of Almería and valued the continuity of this tradition by the Town Hall.
For his part, Óscar Bleda was grateful for the opportunity to carry the banner again and stressed the importance of being able to celebrate the event with the already completed Plaza Vieja and open to citizens. The Banner will remain on the balcony of the Town Hall, guarded by the Legion, until 6:00 p.m.
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