Spain to Revoke National Tourist Interest Designation for Sagunto’s Holy Week Over Gender Equality Concerns

Sagunto, Spain is facing the revocation of its “Festival of National Tourist Interest” designation for its Holy Week celebrations due to the continued refusal of its main brotherhood to allow women to become full members. The decision, announced jointly by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Ministry of Equality, follows a vote on March 22, 2026, where members of the Brotherhood of the Most Pure Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ again rejected a proposal to modify its statutes to include women as “full brothers.”

Government Response and Constitutional Concerns

Equality Minister Ana Redondo stated that brotherhoods are not exempt from the Spanish Constitution and must uphold constitutionally recognized equality, signaling the government’s intent to act following the rejection of the proposal. Redondo announced the government’s action on social media, stating, “Holy Week also has to be egalitarian. We are going to act.”

Pilar Bernabé, the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting women and opposing discrimination, stating, “The Government of Spain will always be at the side of women in any area of life and against discrimination.” She added that efforts would be made to prevent the normalization of practices reminiscent of the past.

Investigation and Prior Warnings

This decision follows an investigation initiated in February 2026 by the Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Equality, after receiving complaints regarding the systematic exclusion of women from decision-making processes and active participation within the brotherhood. The Ayuntamiento de Sagunto/Sagunt was informed that maintaining the national honorary distinction was incompatible with practices violating the Equality Law.

The organization was repeatedly urged to adapt its internal rules to align with current legislation if it wished to retain the “National Tourist Interest” title, which provides access to public aid and international promotion.

Impact on Sagunto’s Tourism Identity

The revocation of the designation represents a loss of institutional recognition for one of Sagunto’s key tourist attractions. While the Holy Week celebrations in Sagunto are historically and culturally significant, the lack of adaptation to modern equality standards has tarnished its status. The celebrations will no longer be included in the State’s catalog of recommended national celebrations.

About Sagunto

Sagunto is a city and municipality located in the province of Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain. It lies approximately 30 km (19 mi) north of Valencia city center and is situated on the Mediterranean coast. Sagunto is known for the remains of the ancient Iberian and Roman city of Saguntum and the siege of Saguntum in 219 BC triggered the Second Punic War. The municipality comprises three urban centers: Ciutat Vella (Sagunto), Grau Vell, and Puerto de Sagunto. As of January 1, 2025, the population of Sagunto was 73,031.