Festivals in Spain

FESTIVALS IN SPAIN BY SEASON SPRING

PILGRIMAGE TO EL ROCIO, ALMONTE

This religious and festive event is held 50 days after Easter. As many as a million people come from all over Spain to the sanctuary of the "White Dove" in the village of El Rocio in Almonte (Huelva), very near the marshlands of the Doñana National Park. The most exciting part of the event takes place on the night of Sunday to Monday when the "salto de la reja" takes place: the people of Almonte climb over the railings in the church to reach the altar and take the image of the Virgin for a procession. A rather surprising sign of their deep religious devotion.

CORPUS CHRISTI TOLEDO

CORPUS CHRISTI This Catholic festival is a tradition which is celebrated in many parts of Spain, but in Toledo it is especially important. There is a solemn parade in a city adorned for the occasion with ancient standards and tapestries on the balconies of the houses and flower arrangements in the streets. You can also visit the beautiful patios in the city's palaces and stately houses because most of them open their doors to the public for Corpus Christi. In Villa de Mazo on the Canary Island of La Palma, this religious festival is also celebrated with special intensity. A traditional procession and its parallel activities join together with its most characteristic feature, the floral tapestries and arches throughout the town decorated with petals, plants and seeds. L Where: Toledo (Castile-La Mancha) and Villa de Mazo (Island of La Palma, Canary Islands) When: 31 May

L Where: Almonte (Huelva, Andalusia) When: May www.andalucia.org

Photo:Fran Garcia Espina

www.corpustoledo.org www.villademazo.com

PILGRIMAGE OF EL ROCÍO ALMONTE

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