Misteri d'Elx, the sung drama of the Assumption

What it is

The Misteri d'Elx is a sung sacred drama of medieval origin that depicts the death, assumption and coronation of the Virgin inside the basilica of Santa María. UNESCO declared it in 2001 a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the first Spanish item to receive that recognition. It is performed in two parts: La Vespra on 14 August and La Festa on the 15th, with free entry; you need to arrive several hours early.

Tickets

The dress rehearsals on 11, 12 and 13 August are ticketed. Tickets are sold at the Casa de la Festa, at Calle Major de la Vila, 27, and through El Corte Inglés; the August ones go on sale in May. In even-numbered years there are extraordinary performances: in 2026 they were on 30 and 31 October and 1 November. The 2027 dates have not yet been published.

Origin and music

The Misteri was born in the second half of the 15th century. It survived the ban on performances inside churches that followed the Council of Trent thanks to a rescript from Pope Urban VIII in 1632, which allowed it to be performed at Santa María in perpetuity. Today it is the last living vestige of the medieval Assumption mystery plays of the old Crown of Aragon. The music mixes medieval, Renaissance and Baroque melodies, with monody and polyphony. It is sung by La Capella, a group of non-professional singers, with a boys' choir of treble voices for the roles of Mary and the angels.

August calendar

• 11 and 12 August, 22:30: dress rehearsal, ticketed.
• 13 August, 17:30: dress rehearsal, ticketed.
• 14 August, 18:00: La Vespra, free entry.
• 15 August, 10:00: procession of the burial of the Virgin through the streets.
• 15 August, 18:00: La Festa, free entry.

The Casa de la Festa ticket office is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, and on Fridays from 10:00 to 13:00. If your dates do not coincide, the basilica of Santa María can be visited all year.