Cruzados

“Peña el Ancla” from “comparsa Mariners” was the founding core of the current Cruzados that appeared in 1973, anecdotally under a first attempt to be admitted to the festivities with the name of “Musketeers” that was not accepted by the festivity authorities of that time.
The founding costume was designed by Miguel Lapiedra, at that time he was a member of the Comparsa and student of Fine Arts, the same custom is still used today with a few changes, it stands out for its simplicity and austerity, with two main shades: white and red, the most appreciable distinctive is the cross on the chest and an embroidery in the cape with coat of arms of the lineage of each Cruzado.
As a notable fact, we have to emphasize that, in 1997, concurring with the third embassy of the comparsa and along with the Benimerins, Cides and Mossàrabs (the other tree comparsas with main charge that year) the first Medieval Market was forged. This market which is still currently held during the “Mig Any” weekend, and on that occasion it was held during the first days of the “Big Week” of the festivities.
Having already exceeded half a century of life, Cruzados are organized into ten “Peñas” or squads: The “Peña el Mig” and “Som Els Que Som”, made up mainly of founders and components being members of the “comparsa” since early years of it existence, “La Podà”, which was born in 1997, the “Penya La Paella” which since 2004 has been a full part of the life of the “comparsa” and “Templados” who are part of it since 2011. The groups "Arrere", "Amics de la Creu", and "MigCreuats" integrate in 2025, due to a social initiative of the comparsa, giving a new collective dynamic. In 2026, the "Ninots" take part in the comparsa, as the last to become part of it. Its number of members is completed by more than fourty children no older than 13 years, mainly sons, daughters, nephews and grandchildren, of the proud current Cruzados.
Throughout their history, Cruzados have distinguished as honorary members of the comparsa: Don Antonio Asunción Hernández, Minister of the Interior of Spain and president of the Provincial Council of Valencia; and the musical composer Don José Mª Valls Satorres.