EL ROCIO´S PILGRIMAGE (since 23 to 28 May 2012, Almonte,Huelva) visit it with www.spainsouthwest.com

The El Rocío Pilgrimage, one of the biggest in the world and one with the largest crowds. the Pilgrimage properly speaking starts on the Saturday, the pilgrims begin this annual event by travelling the pilgrims' trail (which forms part of the whole ritual). This takes a few days, during which time they travel in each others' company, on foot, on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages, sleeping under the stars, until they reach the village.

   
Many pilgrims say that "El Rocío is travelling the trail" (meaning that travelling the pilgrims' route is the most important part of the pilgrimage) - because during those few days they travel in one another's company, pray, sing, live together as a fraternity, and make their way towards the One for whom they feel such devotion. The duration of the pilgrimage depends on how far the pilgrims' home town or village is from the Almontese village of El Rocío, but it can vary from 1 to 7 days. 

Pilgrims usually wear very characteristic, traditional Andalusian costumes: the men a short jacket and tight trousers, suitable for horseriding, and the women a Flamenco costume; or a "bata rociera", which is a simpler version of the former that is suitable for walking or horseriding; or a "falda rociera" (a light, flouncy skirt typically worn on this pilgrimage). And, or course, not forgetting the tall boots, made in one piece.

 After the journey to get there, the pilgrimage begins at 12 noon on the Saturday with the Presentation of the Fraternities, a ceremony which goes on until well into the night, and during which the different fraternities which make the pilgrimage to El Rocío - in reverse order of the number of years since their foundation - pass in front of the Shrine, paying their respects by presenting the Immaculate Conception emblem borne by their standard bearer. When the Emblem is borne into the Shrine (the timing of which is not known in advance), the Almontese jump the railing to take their Patron Saint out in procession. Protectively surrounded by thousands of pilgrims, the Virgin of El Rocío is carried through the village streets until after midday on the Monday, when she returns to her Shrine, signalling the end of the Pilgrimage. 

From this time onwards, the fraternities start on the journey back to their localities and on the countdown to another visit to see the White Dove. 

But besides participating in the acts of devotion, in El Rocío the pilgrims sing, dance, eat, drink, have fun... and make a good display of the open, joyful nature of the people of this land.