The City Council of Alhabia approved in an extraordinary plenary session the appointment of Our Most Holy Virgen de la Visitación as the municipality's honorary mayor. This act coincides with the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the Vow made by the town to its patron saint.

The mayor of Alhabia, Luis Manuel Martínez, expressed the municipality's pride in this recognition, highlighting that "it means paying homage to our roots, our history, and the deep bond of faith and devotion that the people of Alhabia have maintained with their patron saint for centuries".

This appointment comes in a significant year for the town, which is preparing to celebrate the traditional Fiestas del Voto in honor of the Virgen de la Visitación, to be held from June 26 to July 2. This edition will commemorate the 350 years of the Vow and will serve as the culmination of the events of the Year of Grace granted by the Diocese of Almería.

Devotion to Our Lady of the Visitation is a fundamental pillar of Alhabia's identity. The current image of the patron saint, acquired in 1959, further strengthened the deep-rootedness of this Marian devotion in the social and religious life of the municipality.

With this distinction, the council seeks to recognize the historical and traditional role of the Virgen de la Visitación over generations in the municipality.