Holy relics of Saint Fulgencio and Saint Florentine

Tradition dates back to the discovery of the holy relics which coincides with the end of the muslin control in Extremadura.

The bones of the saints, a small bell, the image of Saint Mary and some documents explaining this treasure were found buried in a marble sarcophagus.

The history of Berzocana changed when a plough unearthed the treasure under an olive tree. The remains of the saints were taken to the church, and it is said that the image was taken to Guadalupe and the documents were claimed by King Alfonso XI.

The custody of the saints’ remains resulted in disputes between the church of Berzocana and the Monastery of Guadalupe. In the Book of Miracles it is said that it was getting dark when they attempted to take these Holy Relics to Guadalupe and by the morning they had miraculously appeared back in the church of Berzocana.

But it would be in the times of Philip II when the biggest disputes happened. Murcia and Cartagena lobbied to have the Holy Relics returned. The king himself had to intervene and as a result the bones of the saints would remain in Berzocana and only some minor relics were sent to Cartagena and to The Monastery of El Escorial.

During many centuries they were kept behind the main altar, but in 1610 they were taken to the Chapel of the Saints, a beautiful architectural piece where the Holy Relics remain.

The second to last Sunday in august has become the largest celebration in Berzocana and commemorates the transfer of the Holy relics from the altar to the Chapel of the Saints constructed in 1610.