The Vestalia of Xinzo de Limia

The Vestalia is the other great Roman re-enactment staged by the Civitas Limicorum cultural association in Xinzo de Limia. It was first held on 8 June 2024 in the Praza Maior, organised by the association with the Concello ^[1], and returned in 2025, according to the association’s photo gallery ^[4]. The first edition was thus an early-summer event, a few months before the Festa do Esquecemento.

What the Vestalia was in Rome

In ancient Rome the Vestalia was the festival of Vesta, goddess of the hearth, whose cult centred on keeping the sacred fire alight. It honoured the Vestal Virgins, the priestesses responsible for tending that fire and performing the rites that ensured the city’s protection and survival ^[1].

How it is celebrated in Xinzo

The programme of the first edition, which serves as a model, lasted about two hours in the early evening ^[1]:

• a parade of the Roman escort accompanying the Vestals;
• Roman marches played by a band;
• the central event, the Vestalia, with the Vestals of Civitas Limicorum and others from Asturica Augusta (Astorga);
• an initiation ceremony for a new Vestal;
• a fire and acrobatics show, Magna Vestae;
• and a closing parade of the Roman troops.

The Concello stressed that the festival gave prominence to women and paid tribute to the women of the town ^[2].

The sacred fire: the thread linking the two festivals

Fire is also the symbol of the Festa do Esquecemento, which opens with the Prendido do Lume Sagrado, the lighting of the Sacred Fire ^[5]. That parallel makes the Vestalia a kind of prelude: the Concello presented the first edition by pointing out that the Esquecemento was less than three months away ^[1]. The association lists the Vestalia among its "other activities", alongside the Samhain of the Limici ^[3].

For the association’s other events, see The Civitas Limicorum association and the Typical festival programme.

Sources

1. Concello de Xinzo de Limia, "Xinzo de Limia retrocede no tempo coa celebración das Vestalias", 05-06-2024. https://www.xinzodelimia.gal/cultura/xinzo-limia-retrocede-tempo-coa-celebracion-das-vestalias/20240605090734006505.html
2. Concello de Xinzo de Limia, "O Concello de Xinzo organiza o Samhain castrexo en colaboración coa Civitas Limicorum", 23-09-2024. https://www.xinzodelimia.gal/cultura/concello-xinzo-organiza-sahmain-castrexo-colaboracion-coa-civitas-limicorum/20240923111538006625.html
3. A.C. Civitas Limicorum, "Outras actividades". https://civitaslimicorum.com/outras-actividades
4. A.C. Civitas Limicorum, 2025 gallery ("Vestalias 2025"). https://civitaslimicorum.com/2025-2
5. Vía Lethes, "Festa do Esquecemento 2025, programa oficial", 20-08-2025. https://vialethes.es/festa-esquecemento-2025-xinzo-de-limia-programa-oficial