‘Clóchina’, the Mediterranean mussel

Did you know that “clóchina” is the term that refers to the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), which is cultivated in the ports of Valencia and Sagunto?

Before coming to Valencia if you already had any Valencian friend, the chances are you have heard of the “clóchinas”. And surely, not only that, your friend (or girlfriend) will also have talked about their size, their colour, of how different they are from any mussel you may have ever tasted; in short, nuances with more or less scientific rigour, but they have always relied upon much enthusiasm because, for Valencians, “clóchinas” are a delicacy! their taste, their texture... Everything!

But, what is the true origin of the “clóchinas”? What makes them so special?

At the beginning of 1900, in the port of Valencia a trough already existed dedicated to the cultivation of “clóchinas”. It was in front of the dockyards, in tune with the rest of the port activities. So much so that, as the port developed, the troughs also grew to register an optimal number. At present, 22 of these floating platforms coexist in the Valencian Community. These are concessions and all of them are found in the ports of Valencia and Sagunto.

The troughs cannot be on the high seas, they need shelter and sufficient space to guarantee a good harvest. Harvest yes, you have read well, since one of the peculiarities of the “clóchina” is that, despite being a marine mollusc, the terms used by the “clochineros” come from agriculture and not from fishing

As the Mediterranean water undergoes many temperature fluctuations during the year, it is in the epoch that the cold begins, around the months of September-October, when the seeds (teeny “clóchinas” selected for spawning) are fastened to cords and are immersed in the sea until their collection; which will last from April to September.

Everything that escapes the impositions of nature is measured: there must be a minimum of 70 centimetres between one string and another so that the seeds can obtain the necessary nutrients for their development; the troughs’ decks measure about 25 meters in length; the ideal size of the “clóchinas”, that by the conditions in which they are raised they do not grow much more, is determined by the sieve; the time they spend in the treatment plant until they are packed in sacks (meshes) is between 12 and 24 hours. And this goes on and on, to which the experience of those who cultivate them is also added, an average of 30 tonnes are harvested per season in each trough.

Characteristics and name

In relation to the taste of “clóchina”, the salinity of the water, of more than 30 percent in this part of the Mediterranean, is considered crucial compared to the fresher waters of the Ebro Delta, to put a geographically close example although it has different characteristics being an estuary.

In relation to colour and size, we can compare the “clóchinas” with Galician mussels, to give an example of constantly cold Atlantic water. While Galician mussels are larger and reddish, the “clóchina” is smaller and of a pale orange colour.

But what about the name? Why is this variety of Mediterranean mussel is called “clóchina”? According to tradition, the etymological origin of the “clóchina” is onomatopoeic. It would come from the noise they emit when are being cleaned: “Clo, clo, clo ...”. When you order some “clóchinas” in a restaurant, make two of them collide and you will see how they sound ... Because, you will not think of leaving Valencia without trying them, right? In addition to how tasty they are, we recommend you eat at least a portion of “clóchinas”, so that it is your own palate that gives you the best definition of texture.

Do not let any Valencian tell you anymore! Surprise them!

Source: Juan Aragonés Just, president of the Association of “Clochineros” of Valencia and Sagunto Ports.

The procession of Corpus Christi in Valencia

Religion and Culture

The procession of Corpus Christi, which celebrates and pays homage to the sacrament of the Eucharist, is the oldest procession in Valencia and, for many Valencians, the city’s most important

The Corpus Christi procession in Valencia goes back to 1355, but what makes it singular is that the original features of this celebration have been maintained ever since, for more than six and a half centuries.

One of its main characteristics, which makes it unique in the world, is that scenes of the Bible are represented in it, with extras that give life to about 300 characters of Christianity’s holy book, converting this procession into an urban and very visual Mediterranean biblical catechesis.

And the curious thing about this data is that, although the celebration is the sacrament of the Eucharist, an institution that the Catholic Church affixes to the Last Supper, the characters belong to the Old Testament: the first part of the Bible, in which events prior to the birth of Jesus are narrated.

According to tradition, this would be because, in this way, the political authorities sought to please the Valencian Jewish community, the financier in numerous occasions of much of the municipality’s coffers as with the very procession itself. Because this celebration has always been municipal: organised and sponsored by the Valencian Council. A city in which, after the constitution of the new Christian kingdom of Valencia founded by Jaime I in the thirteenth century, Christians, Jews and Muslims coexisted, not without difficulty, until the end of the fifteenth century.

Valencian origin of the fiesta

Although, as Valencia finds itself recovering from the reconquest, this festivity does not begin to be celebrated in the city of Valencia until the middle of the fourteenth century, the Corpus Christi festivity had already been instituted by Pope Urban IV in 1264.

What not even many Valencians know is that in the establishment of this festival influenced, in part, a miracle that occured in the Valencian town of Llutxent, about 15 kilometers away from Xàtiva.

According to the tradition, in 1239, Jaime I’s troops were finishing the conquest of the Moorish kingdom. They were forced to interrupt their mass celebration to confront a surprise attack. Upon victory they were amazed to discover that the consecrated forms for the communion were bloody.

This event, considered a Eucharistic miracle, came to Pope Urban IV who, impressed by this and another miracle in Orvieto (Italy), would decide from Rome to establish the celebration of Corpus Christi for the Universal Catholic Church.

From religious to secular theatre

The Valencia’s Corpus Christi procession, of marked religious character, cannot be understood without linking it to cultural facts.

Date
The Corpus Christi festivity is traditionally celebrated on the Thursday following the 60th day after Easter Sunday. At present, in order not to coincide with the work calendar, the acts of this feast are held on the Sunday succeeding that Thursday, happening to be known by the “Corpus Christi Sunday”, which falls on June 18 this year 2017.

The “rocas” (carriages or carts, that the visitor will see passing before the procession) were mobile scenarios in which the religious scenes were represented. According to the French Hispanist Henri de Mérimée, a scholar of Valencian dramatic art, in Valencia the lay theatre descends from the Corpus Christi theatre. In short, when moving from the temples to the street, the theatre that was done inside the churches was incorporated into the Corpus Christi procession until becoming independent and a civil theatre.

In the Corpus Christi procession in Valencia, besides the parade of the “rocas” and the biblical characters, the tourist can also enjoy other features such as the dances. Among those we emphasise the one of the giants and big-heads or that of “La Moma y els Momos” where the Virtue or Moma (woman interpreted by a man) triumphs over the seven deadly sins (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger and laziness).

Source: Baltasar Bueno Tárrega, journalist and writer.


Origin: https://www.heyvalencia.com/la-processione-del-corpus-christi-di-valencia-e-unica-al-mondo/?lang=en

The description of the Holy Chalice

In the late 1950s, the Archbishop of Valencia’s Cathedral commissioned Antonio Beltrán, Professor of Archeology at the University of Zaragoza, to doresearch work on the Holy Chalice. His main conclusions are recognized in a publication which can be acquired at the Cathedral’s Museum.

In the report, it is noted that the chalice is composed of three parts:

1. A vessel of semi-precious agate stone on top, dating from the fourth century BC. and I D.C.


2. A central part carved in gold, made in medieval times.


3. And a base, at the bottom, realized around the 10th century by an oriental workshop, also set in gold and precious stones.

The goblet that, according to tradition, was blessed by Jesus, corresponds only to the upper part; a fine cup of agate stone about 3mm thick. Therest are parts that were subsequently added.

Text by: Ana Mafé, Holy Grail Phd student.

Related articles:
Is the Holy Grail in the Cathedral of Valencia?

https://www.heyvalencia.com/descripcion-del-santo-caliz/?lang=en