El Rocio Festival, Huelva

Spain is country, full of colorful events and festivals. Apart from that it is also famous for the pilgrimage places. El Rocio festival, Huelva is one such grand event which takes place every spring. Around one million people converge on the shrine of El Rocio, at the edge of the Doñana national park, in the biggest pilgrimage, in Spain.

It is an emotion-packed three days event, where the devotees of the El Rocio Festival, Huelva, Spain- take part in a celebration which combines religious ardor and festive color.

The tourists can capture the festive spirit of the event year round.The Aires de Doñana Company organizes an original excursion for groups of 15 to 70, riding on horseback and in horse-drawn carriages.

After a enjoying a delightful picnic of tapas and wine and a typical Rociero group dressed in flamenco finery and performing the traditional songs of the pilgrimage to complement that, guests ride on horseback and carriages along seven miles of the Camino de Huelva, the route followed by pilgrims setting out from the city of Huelva for the annual pilgrimage.

The tour is a unique blend of natural experience and Andalucian folk culture.The journey takes around six hours, ending with a full meal of regional specialties in El Rocio.

This excursion is offered six days a week from September to the date of the annual Romeria in late spring. In the hotter summer months there are shorter excursions around the town of El Rocio.

Travelers come from all over Andalucia on foot, on horseback or by oxcart. Most of these pilgrims wear the traditional attire, women in bright gypsy-inspired flamenco dresses and men in the unique wide-brimmed "bolero" hats and short-cropped jackets associated with Andalusia.

Music adds more flavor to the whole event and accompanied by tambourines, flutes and guitars, the entire group strolls across the broad plains to the El Rocio shrine in the nearby marshes.

A large silver shrine that contains an effigy of the Virgen is carried along by Almonte's elite "Hermandad Matriz" brotherhood. The sound of firecrackers fills the air as the crowds cry "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes").

For the next couple of days, the scene at El Rocio resembles a makeshift camp-out cum carnival cum family reunion. The crowds sing traditional folk songs and dance together in the fields and enjoy traditional food.

First-time pilgrims "baptize" themselves by dipping their hats in water and dousing themselves. In a day or so, the crowds disperse and the fields of El Rocio become quiet again.

The festival is a true replica of the culture, belief and customs of the people out here. So, if really want to witness the true essence of Spain, come and be a part of this pilgrimage.