The Belen - Bethlehem
December

The Belen is displayed in December in the Plaza de la Constitution in The Belen is displayed in December in the Plaza de la Constitution in front of the Immaculada Church in Torrevieja town centre. The word "belen" is Spanish for Bethlehem and in a country where Christmas is still about the birth of Jesus, the depiction of the nativity is important.

The beautifully intricate, miniature models depict scenes from the Nativity and also scenes of the historical events of the town, particularly Torrevieja's history of salt production. The display takes many days to build and uses sand and rocks together with lighting, fire and water effects and is also landscaped. It is an extremely popular exhibition and draws huge crowds throughout the Christmas period.

Christmas Carol Singing in the Square 

The Carol Service in the Plaza de la Constitución, the town square in Torrevieja, is held on the second Friday in December. It has proved to be one of the most popular events in the Christmas cultural programme and draws crowds of residents and visitors of all nationalities to celebrate the start of the Christmas celebrations by singing carols accompanied by local choirs and musicians.

The service starts in the newly pedestrianised town square at 6pm and is attended by local dignitaries including the Mayor of Torrevieja. In 2009, for the first time, two Spanish carols were included in the service, the Coastrider newspaper supplying a carol sheet so that everyone can sing along. The service is followed by the International Mass in the Church of the Immaculada Conception at 7.30pm.

See local press for details of this year's service.