The Romería de El Rocío is a tradition from Andalucía consisting in a procession / pilgrimage on the second day of the Pentecost to the Hermitage of El Rocío in the countryside of Almonte, Province of Huelva, Andalucia, Spain, in honor of the Virgin of El Rocío. In recent years the Romería has brought together roughly a million pilgrims each year.
The pilgrimage dates from 1653, when the Virgin of Las Rocinas was appointed patron saint of Almonte. Originally it took place on 8 September. Since 1758, the Virgin has been known as the Virgin of El Rocío, and the pilgrimage has taken place on the second day of Pentecost.
These pictures are from El Rocío in Catalunya (Catalonia), where many people from Andalucia was immigrated and their traditions was integrated in the Country. The “Hermandades” (Different local organizations), prepare a pilgrimage in a local Church. The Festivity is 4 days, Arrival of the figure of the Virgin, Pilgrimage, Celebration and Farewell, here are related the four days. A work I’ve shoot in the year 2015 on the celebration of this Festivity in the Catalan City of Montcada i Reixac
FIRST DAY: ARRIVAL
The figure of the Virgin arrives
The people is already celebrating while they wait the arrival
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
The figure of the Virgin is transported with a truck, this is the moment of the arrival
A lot of demonstrations of joy and emotion are given
All the people is almost “fighting” to have the right and the honor to carry the figure of the Virgin
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
In the way to the installed Campaign Church
Emotion and expectation ….
Once the figure of the Virgin is installed the people sings and pray
The devotes are really moved, it is plenty of exciting moments
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
These men are singing and saying something to the figure of the Virgin
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Singing to the figure of the Virgin
SECOND DAY: THE PILGRIMAGE
Very early on the morning a Mass is celebrated and the pilgrimage start, it is a way through the mountain of about 15 Km (about 10 Milles).
Charging on a truck everything for the long way
Lots of fun sharing a hot coffee
This is the horse to have to follow the way of the pilgrimage
The Mass is followed with devotion
The Mass is with typical choral music and guitar, these groups are called “Rocieros”
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
A Lady typically dressed
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
The “Rocieros” start to dance before to initiate the long way. Dance, Guitar, Tambour, Singers are the elements of this great Fiesta
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Already on the way ….
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
A time to rest and have a breakfast
Some water on the way ….
Music and joy of life is always present during the way
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Another stop on the way to rest and have some drinks…
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
This is a religious festivity, at noon the caravan stop for the pray of the Angelus
In a stop on the way they proceed to a symbolic baptism of the new members of the “Hermandad”.
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
THE ARRIVAL TO THE CAMP where the “casetas” are installed as well the figure of the Virgin. This moment is very exciting, all the people receive the pilgrims with applause, bells, tambour, music, songs….. It is moment with a lot of exciting scenes and emotion.
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
This couple shows perfectly the emotion and devotion of the moment
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
The people is tired after the long way
Singing and praying to the figure of the Virgin
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
A kid is playing with a gun
THIRD DAY: THE CELEBRATION
This day is only for rest and have fun
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Another symbolic baptism
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Patienting ….
Praying to the figure of the Virgin
And offering candles
The children are playing as it is usual
And the people in the casetas continue enjoying the Fiesta
FOURTH DAY: THE FAREWELL
On this Day the figure of the Virgin visit every “Hermandad”, it is the farewell and the people give flowers, applauses, songs and lots of emotion
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
As always, there is agglomeration of people trying to carry the figure of the Virgin
It is a tradition put the children and touch the figure of the Virgin
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Another child touching the figure of Virgin
This woman is dedicating a song to the figure of the Virgin
This young lady is crying … lots of emotion…
Farewell Hugs
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
El ROCIO, Montcada i Reixac (Catalunya), 2015
Still more tears….
Last farewell ….
And last farewell song
© 2015 Lluis Ripoll, All Rights Reserved
Contact: lluisripollphotography@gmail.com
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I would like specially mention and say my gratitude to the Hermandad “El Pastorcillo Divino”, that they allowed me and gave all the facilities to register these images.
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