May-June 2010
The El Rocio Pilgrimage is considered as one of the most important in Spain and is now reaching people from around the world. It is also one of the 3 most important events in Seville after the Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril.
The beauty of the area and the folklore are a great attraction for this pilgrimage which brings together many of the traditional icons known as “typically Spanish.” Horses, carts in which people parade decorated to the last detail, women dressed in gypsy costumes, the smell of the flowers of the road, the meals in the field, the devotion to the Virgin and the joy of the faithful are the essence of this pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen del Rocio.
The Pilgrimage is known to be a manifestation of popular celebration in honor of the Andalusia Virgen Del Rocio, located in the village of the same name, a few miles away from Seville. The road that pilgrims have to do crosses the Doñana Natural Park, a protected site. This route is usually done by foot, on horseback, in carts, decorated cars or in “charrets”. In recent years, damages to this protected ecosystem of Doñana have been increasing, so if you want to make this journey, keep in mind the environment in which it is located.
On Sunday night of the Monday of Pentecost, a huge crowd of devotees arrive at the gates of the shrine for doing what is popularly called the “salto de la reja”, jumping the fence. Then the Almonte inhabitants take the Virgin of the chapel on their shoulder and process in the village. The route runs the various guilds where priests pray the Hail, accompanied by almost all the village.
The pilgrimage of El Rocío is one of the most famous and massive pilgrimages in the world. It has more than 100 guilds who have visited the village of El Rocío and among them the famous Pope Jean Paul II in 1993.
So if you want to come and enjoy all the options offered by Seville, do the El Rocio Pilgrimage and do not hesitate to experience this religious event!


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