Rocío Pilgrimage in Almonte
The Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Rocío brings together in the village of El Rocío, in the Huelva municipality of Almonte, the Matriz Brotherhood, its subsidiary brotherhoods and pilgrims arriving by different routes. It is a religious and festive manifestation closely linked to Pentecost and the landscape of Doñana.
Celebration date
The date changes every year: the main events are held during the days before and after the Pentecost Sunday, fifty days after Easter Sunday. The presentation of brotherhoods normally takes place on Friday and Saturday; The pontifical mass is celebrated on Sunday and the procession of the Virgin takes place in the early morning and morning hours of Monday.
The Pilgrimage is not in itself a fixed state public holiday. Regional and local work calendars should be consulted to know which days are holidays in each place.
Places and paths
The centre of the celebration is the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Rocío and its surroundings: the Puerta Mayor, Paseo Mismeño, Plaza de Doñana and the sandy streets of the village. The Parent Brotherhood leaves from Almonte and numerous branches arrive by historical routes from Huelva, Seville, Cádiz and other territories.
The paths, the stops and the crossing of spaces in Doñana are part of the collective experience. Each brotherhood organises its pilgrimage, while the reception and common worship are coordinated in the village.
Also check out the festivals of Almonte.
Origin and history
Historiography places the configuration of the pilgrimage around the middle of the 17th century. In 1653 Our Lady of Rocinas was named patron saint of Almonte; Over time, devotion, pilgrimages and the organisation of filial brotherhoods were consolidated.
The name of Rocío, the sanctuary and the associated rites evolved over centuries. The Mother Brotherhood of Almonte retains the role of host and orders the presentation of the branches before the Virgin.
Acts and traditions
- Paths of the brotherhoods with their simpecados, carts, drummers and pilgrims.
- Romeros Mass and departure of the Matrix Brotherhood from Almonte towards the village.
- Reception and presentation of the subsidiary brotherhoods before the Main Door of the Sanctuary.
- Processional Rosary of Almonte and Rosary of the brotherhoods through the streets of the village.
- Solemn Pentecost Mass on Paseo Marismeño, with simpecados and insignia.
- Procession of the Virgen del Rocío on the shoulders of the people of Almont along the traditional itinerary.
Organisation and participants
The Pontifical, Royal and Illustrious Mother Brotherhood of Our Lady of Rocío de Almonte organises the central cults and receives the branches. Brotherhoods from numerous municipalities, religious authorities, musicians, carters, horsemen, public services, residents of Almonte and pilgrims participate.
Bien de Interés Cultural
In 2023, the Regional Government of Andalusia registered the Pilgrimage of Nuestra Señora del Rocío as an Asset of Cultural Interest, with the typology of Activity of Ethnological Interest. Protection recognizes its symbolic value, the transmission of knowledge and rituals, traditional paths, music and other elements linked to the celebration.