EL ROCÍO which is located at the north-west part of the salted flats marismas, is really a quaint village lined with white cottages. However, it is this village’s church stockade that makes it a popular pilgrim destination during the annual Pentecost.

The Grand Celebration of El Rocio

The Romeria del Rocio is considered the village’s highlight where the whole community and various ”brotherhoods” gather as far as Malaga, Sevilla, and Huelva by horses and ox carts that are ornately decorated. The procession is filled with dancing and merry-making until Saturday evening when the ox carts arrive with crowds of pilgrims in attendance.

This festivity celebrates the miracle of an ancient statue, Nuestra Señora del Rocío, which resisted all efforts to relocate it. Legends have it that this image has magical powers for improving fertility, and thus, is paraded on Sunday morning to its faithful followers.

Accommodations

El Roio is quite a different style of accommodation where it has wide streets that are sandy, and you’ll find farmers riding on horses in cowboy hats. The scenario gives a frontier atmosphere to the onlookers.

Although the prices are a bit exorbitant for a room during the festival of Romeria, it is virtually impossible to secure one unless it is booked years in advance.

Nature at El Rocio

The marismas, or the salted flat lands, together with the looming pine woods next to the town are a beautiful sight to behold as the place is swarmed with birds of various species.

The Festival of the Romeria del Rocio

The Spanish are very pious in making their yearly pilgrimage to El Rocio for the largest festival in Andalucia, the Romeria del Rocio. Thousands come to pay homage to the special deity, Virgen del Rocio, by traversing dusty roads since 800 years ago. But in 1785, the festival was changed to be celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday. This traditional festival is a combination of local pagan and Catholic beliefs.

It is a spectacular event with carts decorated beautifully in bright colors with flowers, while the pilgrims dress up in customary gypsy-style flamenco attire. Men wear the typical Andalucian short-style jackets and bolero hats that are wide and unique.

Many pilgrims camp out in the marsh lands or surrounding fields along the National Park.

It is not total sobriety at this festival, even though this is a very religious event because the locals enjoy themselves together with their families. There are many tasty local types of produce that go well with the region’s finest wines and sherry.

There is some frenzy at this festival when the devotees tend to clamor to touch the statue’s shrine as it parades by. This is because many have claimed to experience healing from the touch, healing infertility, diseases, and even mental disorders.

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