Romerias in Andalucia
Discover Andalucia on your own pace.
Take the time to soak it all in and enjoy the vistas, scenery, nature, culture and gastronomy.
Romerias
Where ?
In every small or big town in the countryside
Andalucia is famous for its pilgrimages or “romerías” – so called because pilgrims traditionally walked to Rome, and therefore became known as “romeros” – to popular shrines, around which fiestas are held.
Most villages celebrate their romeria on their saint’s day at a local shrine a few miles away – it is a day in the countryside visiting a chapel or a sanctuary. Interestingly it is one of the few fiestas that is celebrated outside the nucleus of the town. The sanctuary is a physical and a spiritual point of reference.
The Start
The departure from the town for the sanctuary is a proud public ceremony with all the necessary elements in a certain order.
Flags and standards carried are by horsemen, decorated carts, men or women who are serving a penance, then tractors, lorries and all sorts of agricultural vehicles.
The municipal band usually provides the music.
Carrera de Cintas
In the carrera de Cintas, which is a traditional sport, short belts with loops on one end are hung from a wire suspended between two posts.
Contestants, on horses, ride towards the wire and attempt to capture a belt by putting a peg through the loop.
Traditionally, the belts are given to a group of women who then award prizes.
Its origins can be traced back to medieval tournaments on horseback.
La Fiesta
or eating, drinking and dancing
In the afternoon, families gather in the fields where tables are installed with an abundance of food and drinks, BBQ’s are lit and music and dancing is abound. Analucians love to socialize and family is everything to them. So how better to do that, than by gathering around a table overflowing with delicious food and drinks.
Never ending story….
In the evening the return journey is more low key. Aside from the procession there will be stalls selling local produce and bars and restaurants will open tents in the street. There may well be local traditional bands playing on a small outdoor stage and dancing in the street. Visitor are always welcome especially when seen to be enjoying the festival. An agenda of events may be published on the town hall website. The route is rarely published as it is well known to all villagers.
Want to experience a romeria first hand ?
Come and visit us at Hostal Aljibe in May and grab one of the festivities
