Why do Valencians celebrate Lover’s Day on October 9th?

What is the origin of this tradition? What is the Mocaorá and what does it consist of? Many take advantage of this day, October 9th, to have a romantic gesture with their partner while also celebrating the Day of the Valencian Community. Find out why. This is an essential tradition to experience in Valencia.

On October 9th, we celebrate two festive events in Valencia:

• On one hand, we celebrate the entry of King Jaume I «the Conqueror» to Valencia. With the conquest of the city by the king on October 9th, 1238, the Muslims were expelled, making the Christian community dominant. Little by little, Jaume I conquered territory that would become what is now our Valencian Community.
• On the other hand, October 9th, the day of San Dionís, also marks Lover’s Day in Valencia. The tradition is for the couple to give a tray of marzipan fruits along with the figure of the tronaor and the piuleta, also made of marzipan, and wrapped in a handkerchief, in Valencian «mocaor,» hence the celebration is also called «mocaorá.»

History of the tradition

It all started in the first half of the 18th century when the celebration of the entry of Jaume I into Valencia was prohibited due to the Decrees of Nueva Planta promulgated by Felipe V of Bourbon, as punishment for Valencia’s support for Archduke Carlos of Austria in the War of Succession. Through these decrees, the laws and institutions of the Kingdom of Valencia and the Kingdom of Aragon were abolished.

With festive acts involving fireworks banned, Valencians found another way to celebrate: with marzipan sweets representing the fireworks they couldn’t set off. These figures are the «tronaor» (attributed to the male sexual organ) and the «piula» (attributed to the female sexual organ). Alongside these figures, small marzipan vegetables are also made, such as tomatoes, potatoes, etc., representing the fertility of our Valencian orchard.

Originally, not all Valencians could afford the «mocaorá»; only wealthy families could afford the marzipans and the handkerchief for Lover’s Day.

Currently, this tradition remains alive, and all the pastry shops and bakeries in the city fill their shop windows with these marzipan figures and colorful handkerchiefs so that we can surprise our spouse and not forget the most romantic part of October 9th, Lover’s Day.

If you want to receive the most comprehensive information and learn about this tradition firsthand, don’t hesitate to opt for a guided tour in Valencia with us. Our guides will be the best tool for you to fall in love with this tradition and our city.