Festivals and traditions archivos - Page 2 of 13

Romería Virgen del Socorro

Every 8th of September, Rociana del Condado is filled with excitement and fervour as it celebrates its Patron Saint’s Day in honour of its patron saint, the Virgen del Socorro. This day, deeply rooted in the identity of the municipality, is one of the most eagerly awaited by the people of Rociana, who experience the procession of their image through the streets of the town with great intensity.

The carving of the Virgen del Socorro, attributed to the Renaissance sculptor Jerónimo Hernández, is estimated to date from the 16th century. This valuable image is part of Rociana’s rich artistic and devotional heritage. Its presence has accompanied entire generations as a symbol of protection and comfort.

In 2004, the image was canonically crowned in a solemn ceremony that marked the official recognition of the deep veneration that the people of Rociana have for it.

The highlight of these festivities is the procession on 8 September. On that day, the Virgen del Socorro is carried through the streets of the town, decorated for the occasion, accompanied by the fervour of its residents, the ringing of bells, music and floral offerings. The participation is massive and emotional, in a lively display of popular religiosity.

These festivities are not only a religious event, but also a cultural and social gathering in which Rociana comes together to honour its patron saint, remember its roots and renew its identity as a community.

Quema de las Gamonitas

Every 7 December, on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Rociana del Condado lights up with the flames of the Burning of the Gamonitas, an ancient celebration that marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities in the town.

The festival consists of making and lighting torches made from dry gamonitas leaves (Asphodelus fistulosus), also known as St Joseph’s wands. These torches are lit in bonfires distributed throughout the streets of the municipality, creating a warm and festive atmosphere that brings together residents and visitors.

The tradition of the Burning of the Gamonitas has roots that date back to times when it was believed that fire purified the air and warded off disease. During epidemics, such as cholera, the inhabitants of the County of Huelva lit bonfires with household items and aromatic plants to combat the spread of the disease. Over time, this practice evolved into the current celebration, centred on the burning of gamonitas.

The Burning of the Gamonitas is more than a tradition; it is a manifestation of the identity and social cohesion of Rociana del Condado. Neighbours of all ages participate in the collection of gamonitas, the preparation of torches and the organisation of bonfires. The festival becomes an opportunity to share, strengthen community ties, and celebrate the arrival of Christmas.

This celebration is included in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage, which highlights its cultural importance and value as part of Andalusia’s intangible heritage.

Fiestas patronales a San Bartolomé Apóstol

Every August, Rociana del Condado pays tribute to its patron saint, Saint Bartholomew the Apostle, with patron saint festivities that combine religious fervour, cultural activities and a festive atmosphere. These celebrations, which take place around 24th August, the day of his feast, mark the prelude to the grape harvest and the gathering of the crop, and are one of the most eagerly awaited events for the people of Rociana and visitors alike.

For five days, the town is decked out to host a varied programme of cultural and recreational events. The fairground becomes the epicentre of the festivities, hosting numerous private marquees, the Municipal Marquee and the Youth Marquee, as well as various attractions for all ages to enjoy.

The fair begins with the lighting ceremony and a fireworks display, followed by musical performances that liven up the nights in La Rocina. Renowned artists and local and national DJs gather on the main stage, offering concerts and sessions that entertain residents and visitors alike.

24 August, St. Bartholomew’s Day, is the highlight of the festivities. After the celebration of Mass in the Parish Church of San Bartolomé, the patron saint’s procession takes place through the streets of the town, accompanied by numerous faithful and devotees.

The patron saint festivities in Rociana del Condado offer activities for all audiences, from sports competitions to children’s workshops, exhibitions and competitions. It is an opportunity to enjoy with the family and share moments of joy and conviviality.

These celebrations not only honour the patron saint of the municipality, but also strengthen community ties and promote local culture and traditions, establishing themselves as one of the most significant festivities on the Rociana calendar.

Fiestas patronales a la Virgen del Socorro

Every 8th of September, Rociana del Condado is filled with excitement and fervour as it celebrates its Patron Saint’s Day in honour of its patron saint, the Virgen del Socorro. This day, deeply rooted in the identity of the municipality, is one of the most eagerly awaited by the people of Rociana, who experience the procession of her image through the streets of the town with great intensity.

In 2004, the image was canonically crowned in a solemn ceremony that marked the official recognition of the deep veneration that the people of Rociana have for her.

Cruces de Mayo

Rociana del Condado, declared a Historic-Artistic Site and recognised as a Site of Cultural Interest, celebrates one of the most deeply rooted festivities on its calendar every spring: the Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses). This tradition, shared with other municipalities in the County of Huelva, stands out for its uniqueness and the fervour with which the community celebrates it.

The celebration of the Cruces de Mayo in Rociana dates back at least to the 19th century, when the residents erected simple public crosses decorated with flowers and rosemary from the countryside, celebrating them with traditional music and folklore around the first Sunday in May. Currently, of the nine historic crosses, four continue to be carried in procession: Santa Cruz de la Calle La Fuente, Santa Cruz de Arriba, Santa Cruz de la Calle Orozco and Santa Cruz de la Calle Las Huertas.

The first weekend in May marks the start of the main events. On Saturday night, each cross is transferred from its chapel to the Parish Church of San Bartolomé. On Sunday, after mass, the crosses are carried together through the streets of the town in a set order, accompanied by cheers and the ringing of bells. At night, they return to the Plaza de España, where the traditional ‘Cabezás’ ceremony is held, a farewell greeting symbolising the three falls of Christ on the Cross.

In addition to the processions, each cross organises its own activities. Both the Santa Cruz de Arriba and the Santa Cruz de la Calle La Fuente celebrate a festival with the proclamation of the Romera Mayor (Cruz de Arriba) and Reina (Cruz de la Calle La Fuente) and a ‘Romerito’ organised by each of the Crosses. The Romerito accompanying the Simpecado heads to a farm where the brothers and supporters of the Cross enjoy a joyful day of fellowship. The journey, framed by the beauty of the surrounding pine forests, is made with floats, horses and music, in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

The Cross is accompanied by drummers and groups of friends who share songs, cheers and experiences, evoking the spirit of traditional Andalusian pilgrimages. The Romerito is also a day of intergenerational encounter, where the values of respect for tradition and constant renewal brought by the new generations coexist.

The Cruces de Mayo in Rociana del Condado offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a living tradition, where devotion, music and colour intertwine in an atmosphere of community and celebration. It is a cultural event that reflects the identity and spirit of a people proud of their heritage.

Ruta BTT Gran Premio Villa de Paterna

During the first weekend of October, Paterna del Campo hosts a major sporting event that turns the town into an international mountain biking hub: the Villa de Paterna Mountain Bike Route.

This route began in 2001, and its history shows how a town passionate about racing is capable of creating an event that puts it on the world mountain biking map. It has been part of the Spanish Bike Marathon Championship eight times, the UCI Marathon Series three times, the Spanish Bike Marathon Open three times and the Andalusian Open on numerous occasions. With these figures, it is clear that the Villa de Paterna Route is one of the most important bike marathon events in our country. In 2017, it took a big step forward, acquiring the status of a UCI event and becoming part of the International Cycling Union’s mountain biking calendar.

From its inception until the 2018 route, the main organiser was the El Cañonazo Cycling Club, always with the collaboration of the local council, some sponsors and, of course, the entire town of Paterna, which volunteers to actively participate in the organisation and cheer on the riders, who have grown to around 1,200 registered participants each year. In 2019, the Paterna del Campo Town Council took over the organisation, continuing to do so to this day.

In total, this race covers a distance of 85 km and starts at 9 a.m., following different trails through the historic region of Campo y Sierra de Tejada. One of the most important moments is the final stretch, with the legendary Cuesta de Pinguete, which has a gradient of 21%.

Romería de San Isidro

The pilgrimage of San Isidro Labrador to the village of Tujena is the most popular of all the festivities celebrated in the town. It was in 1955 when the first pilgrimage began and the festivities were celebrated in that village. The members of the former Brotherhood of Farmers and Ranchers chose San Isidro as their patron saint and, to this day, they continue to celebrate the pilgrimage on the weekend closest to 15 May.

The main events are the departure of the Simpecado from the Parish Church of San Bartolomé Apóstol on Friday afternoon; the arrival of the pilgrims in the village of Tujena and the greeting to San Isidro three hours later; the pilgrims’ mass and the procession of the image through the village the following morning.
This weekend, there is a festive atmosphere throughout the municipality and the village is decked out for the occasion with dozens of stalls filling the esplanade of the Tujena meadow.

Los tostones de San Isidro

Since 1970, the Brotherhood of San Isidro Labrador has celebrated the traditional ‘Tostón de San Isidro’ in the village of Tujena, coinciding with the end of the green olive harvest in the mountains and after the extraction of the first oils, so highly prized throughout the world.

It is celebrated on the first weekend of February each year, in a festive and popular atmosphere around the square that bears his name. In this village in the Paterna region, the classic ‘tostón con sardinas’ (toasted bread with sardines) is served, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil from the local verdial olive groves.

La Semana Santa

On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, two brotherhoods with deep roots in the local community hold processions in Paterna del Campo.

On Maundy Thursday, the Sacramental Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus of Great Power and Holy Mary of Great Sorrow and Saint John the Evangelist holds its Penitential Procession. This brotherhood was formed in the middle of the last century, following the unification of two former brotherhoods, Gran Poder and Veracruz. In 1985, they adopted the title ‘Sacramental’. The procession begins at nine o’clock in the evening and consists of two floats, which are not the originals because these were destroyed in the parish church fire in 1934. The float of Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder (an image created from the remodelling of an old Cristo Resucitado) is made of mahogany and silver, and that of the Santísima Virgen (the work of the renowned Sevillian sculptor Antonio Eslava Rubio, 1956) is made of red velvet embroidered in gold. The Virgin wears a blue skirt embroidered in gold in the Seville workshop of Elena Caro and a plain red velvet cloak.

The Nazarene brothers who perform the Station of Penance wear white tunics and capes with purple masks and cinctures. An important part of the procession is its arrival at the Plaza de Padres, the meeting between the main figures at the entrance to the brotherhood and the work of the foremen and costaleros.

On Good Friday, the Station of Penance is performed by the Illustrious, Venerable and Ancient Servite Brotherhood and Confraternity of Nazarenes of the Holy Burial of Christ in his Mercy and Mary Most Holy of Sorrows in her Solitude. The first record of this brotherhood dates back to 27 January 1584, when it was canonically established in ancient times in its hermitage-hospital of La Soledad. In 1763, the Third Order of the Servants of Mary was organised within it, becoming the oldest Servite Brotherhood in the province of Huelva. Its Penitential Procession on Good Friday night is particularly noteworthy, starting at 9 pm. The original images were also destroyed in the fire that ravaged the parish church in 1934. Currently, the procession features a float carrying the image of the Recumbent Christ (an anonymous 16th-century work), carved in cedar by Manuel Guzmán Bejarano (1989) and gilded in the Triana workshop of Manuel Verdugo Guerrero (2000). The Blessed Virgin (work by José Sanjuan Navarro, 1935) wears a black skirt (1876) and black cloak (1880) embroidered in gold by Antonia Janín Monferrín of Seville. The curtains of the canopy were embroidered in the convent of the Trinitarian Sisters of Seville (1947) and restored by Rosario Bernardino Díaz (2006), and the ceiling was embroidered in the convent of the Adoratrices Sisters of Huelva (1952).

An important part of this brotherhood are its costaleros, a team formed in 1967, which is one of the oldest in Andalusia and important for its work on the floats, especially when entering and leaving the parish church, due to the difficulty involved. Also important are its Nazarenos, who in large numbers take part in the Penitential Procession. They wear black robes and masks, with a train that is gathered over the esparto belt at the side.

Hermandad del Rocío de Paterna

Paterna del Campo and its affiliate Hermandad del Rocío, filled with excitement and hard work, prepare each spring for their pilgrimage to the village of Almonte, to meet with the Mother of God, the Santísima Virgen del Rocío.

Since 1971, it has been the 39th affiliate brotherhood, making its pilgrimage ever since. It leaves on the morning of the Thursday before the feast of Pentecost, spending the night on the road at the ‘Raya del Agua’, to enter the village on Friday afternoon. It has a Brotherhood House in the Plaza Mayor, number 4, where it lives and coexists in a fraternal Rociero atmosphere.