Rapa das Bestas de Sabucedo
Every summer, the Rapa das Bestas de Sabucedo brings together the herds of horses that live freely in the mountains, the neighbors who take care of them, and thousands of visitors in this parish of A Estrada. Its sequence of mass, climb to the mountain, gathering of the greas, descent and work expresses a community relationship with the animals and the territory that has been transmitted for centuries.
Celebration date
It is usually celebrated during first weekend of july and continues until Monday. The search for the bestas begins before the jobs and the specific dates are confirmed each year.
View the Rapa das Bestas de Sabucedo 2026 programme.
The holiday itself does not convert its days into general public holidays: non-working days depend on the corresponding official work calendar.
Lugar y recorrido
The setting is Sabucedo, a parish in the Pontevedra municipality of A Estrada. The activity connects the church of San Lourenzo, the mountains where the greas live, meeting points such as O Peón and O Castelo, the Cataroi closure, the streets of the village and the work. The location of each phase and its schedules are published in the annual programme.
Also check out the festivals of A Estrada.
Origin and history
The municipal tourist portal documents more than four centuries of history. The celebration begins under the invocation of Saint Lourenzo: at the early morning mass, protection is requested for animals and participants before going out into the mountains. Over time, the communal care of horses and the need to gather them to clean them and cut their manes became consolidated as one of the most recognisable cultural expressions of Sabucedo.
The Rapa das Bestas of Sabucedo is declared Festival of International Tourist Interest, recognition that distinguishes its uniqueness, continuity and projection. The organisation falls to the Rapa das Bestas Association of Sabucedo, with neighbourhood participation and institutional collaboration.
The rise, the descent and the jobs
Neighbors and visitors go out to the mountains to locate and gather the herds or greas. Después llega A Baixa, driving the horses to Sabucedo. In the work, the aloitadores They hold each animal using technique, coordination and body strength to cut the mane and carry out identification and care tasks.
The distinctive feature of Sabucedo is that the aloitadores do not use ropes, sticks or devices to reduce the horse. They act in teams, know the behavior of animals and follow a technique learned within the community.
Events and atmosphere
- Traditional mass in honour of Saint Lourenzo before departure to the mountain.
- Meeting of the groups and progressive transfer to the village.
- Three jobs, usually between Saturday and Monday.
- Pasacalles, música tradicional, festival RapaSons y verbenas.
- Camping and temporary services whose availability depends on each edition.
Participation and respect for animals
The festival involves organizers, owners and caretakers of the areas, organizing association, neighbourhood, musicians, volunteers, administrations and the public. Whoever comes must respect the routes, safety instructions and the space of the horses; Not all phases allow the same proximity or participation.