Medals of Our Lady of the Forsaken
The Virgin of the Forsaken, the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, is the patron saint of Valencia. Valencians affectionately call her Geperudeta, and her feast day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, with the Transfer of the image from her Basilica to the Cathedral.
Our Virgin of the Forsaken medals and pendants are our own designs, hand-enameled in Spain and finished with 18K gold plating. They come with a chain and gift-wrapped.
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What the Virgin of the Forsaken medal means
Her name says it all: she is the Virgin of those who have no one. Her devotion was born in Valencia in the early 15th century, linked to a hospital that cared for the sick and abandoned, and her brotherhood looked after them. That is why her medal is given as a sign of protection and affection. It is not an amulet: it is a reminder of faith that you wear.
Geperudeta and her feast day
The image is venerated in the Basilica of the Virgin, in the square of the same name, in Valencia. Her slight tilt earned her the nickname Geperudeta, “the little hunchback.” During Fallas, she receives the Flower Offering, and her feast day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. We tell you more in the history of the Virgin of the Forsaken.
How to choose your Virgin of the Forsaken medal
- Pearlescent white enamel: the most classic and luminous.
- Colored enamels: navy blue, burgundy, purple, brown, turquoise, or green.
- Two-tone and multicolored: for those looking for a more cheerful piece.
They are oval-shaped, made of zamak with 18K gold plating, and come with a 40 cm gold-plated chain and a 5 cm extender, ready to wear as a pendant. The enamels are applied by hand, so each piece is unique.
Who to give it to
- Someone from Valencia or who has family there, and especially someone who lives far away: it is one of our gifts from your homeland.
- Someone named Amparo or Desamparados for their saint's day.
- For a baptism, a First Communion, or for Fallas.
- To your mother or grandmother, as a meaningful gift.
If it is a gift, we send it wrapped and with a free handwritten card with your message.
Handmade in Spain
Marian and I design each medal ourselves, and we make it by hand in Spain with the workshops and enamel artists we work with. Khartes' own design: you won't find these medals in any other store.
Frequently asked questions about the Virgin of the Forsaken medal
When is the Virgin of the Forsaken feast day?
The second Sunday of May, in Valencia, with the Transfer of the image and the afternoon procession.
Why is she called Geperudeta?
Because of the slight tilt of the image. It is the affectionate nickname Valencians use for her.
Are the medals made of gold?
They are made of zamak with 18K gold plating and hand-enameled, and they come with a gold-plated chain.
How long does shipping take?
It usually arrives in 24-72 hours, with free shipping from €65 to the mainland and Balearic Islands, and always gift-wrapped free of charge.
