Romeria Del Rocio Almonte

When & Where The Romeria-Del-Rocio-Almonte religous Spanish fiesta usually takes place the Saturday before Pentecost Sunday which is in late May/June when Easter is early or early May when Easter is early. This pilgrimage is in El Rocio Cathedral -Almonte in Andalucia - Spain. The next pilgrimage is June 12-13th 2011.

What to expect It's first and foremost a religous pilgrimage of 1 million people (the biggest in Europe) to worship Virgen del Rocio (Madonna of the Dew) but secondly it's an awesome Spanish fiesta which carries on into the early hours. People (Romeros) travel from all over Spain in middle aged/gypsy clothes and in horse drawn wagons to the Guadalquivir River by the village of Almonte to see the virgin Mary statue in the cathedral. Cars aren't allowed at this Spanish festival. The Romeros arrive at dawn and go to mass as a statue of Mary is brought to the church.

The Romeros chant "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes") after the procession is the Salto de la Verja (Leap Over the Railings) as young men storm the altar hoist the statue of Mary high in the air as it is paraded around the marshes for several hours with singing, dancing and a bit of wine flowing. The next three days sees people baptising themselves on general gypsy celebrations takes hold of the fields of Rocio. There's 2 parts to this festival- the pilgrimage and the celebrations at Almonte.

Getting There Book a flight into Huelva, Seville,Jerez de la Frontera or Cadiz airport here or book a train to Huelva or anywhere in Spain here

Romeria Del Rocio Almonte Almonte

Accommodation in Alicante There's lots of great hotels and quality hostels and pensiones in Huelva , Seville, Almonte and El Rocio in Spain available here

Romeria Del Rocio History

History This great Spanish Fiesta the Virgen Del Rocio has been celebrated by the river near Almonte for over 800 years.In 1758 the Romeria Del Rocio has been celebrated at Whitsun which is the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday.

Plan your fun this year with our Festivals Calendar 2012

Festivals coming up
February 1st - 7th

Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, Italy

Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania

Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Florida

Venice Carnival in Italy

Haerbin Ice Festival in China

Laneway Festival in Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth & Singapore

Thaipusam in Penang & Malaysia

Arts in the Plaza in St Maarten

Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, Italy

Pingsi / Pingxi Lantern Festival in Taiwan

Venice Carnival in Italy



February 8th - 14th

Venice Carnival in Italy

Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan, Thailand

Pingsi / Pingxi Lantern Festival in Taiwan

Laneway Festival in Brisbane, Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth & Singapore

Mardi Gras in Sydney Australia

Thaipusam in Penang & Malaysia

Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, Italy

Valentines Day Festival in Umbria, Italy

Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, Italy

Good Vibrations Festival in Sydney & Melbourne is CANCELLED

Festivalpig.com homepage top of page