El Sexenni is one of the most extraordinary festivals in Spain — a celebration of sacred polyphonic music held every six years in Morella, dating back to 1673. For ten days in August, the town fills with choirs, musicians, and visitors from across Spain and beyond, performing in the basilica, the convent, and in the medieval streets. The festival is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The origin of the Sexenni is a vow made by the townspeople of Morella in 1673 to celebrate a series of miracles attributed to the Virgin of Vallivana after the town was spared from plague. The festival combines religious ceremony with music of exceptional quality. If you can time your visit to coincide with it, it is one of the most memorable cultural experiences in eastern Spain. The next edition is in 2030.