Colorful pilgrimage brightens lush green of Spain’s north
Each May, the rich greens and browns of the countryside of northern Spain are brightened by a rainbow of colorfully dressed townsfolk keeping alive the pageantry of an age-old pilgrimage transplanted here from the country’s south.
Hundreds of Spaniards slowly make their way on foot, horseback or on carriages drawn by mules or tractors through the fields around the agricultural town of Fitero near Pamplona, the city famous for its running of the bulls fiesta.
Wearing flowers in their hair and brightly colored dresses, the women are joined by men in suits and hats. They stroll in a long line along narrow dirt roads through lush fields accompanying a mule-drawn cart that bears a small wooden statue of the Virgin and Child. They occasionally stop to dance to add to the festive atmosphere.
Devotees of the Rocio Virgin take part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
They all are devotees of the virgin Rocío. The pilgrimage “Romería de el Rocío” is from Spain’s south, where it is still extremely popular. It was brought to the country’s north by migrants from southern Andalusía, who came here and to other parts of Spain in large numbers in the middle of the last century in search of work and better opportunities.
Now the devotees in the yearly procession are a mix of people whose families hail from the south and those who have adopted the pilgrimage as their own.
The pilgrims’ route takes around three hours to complete. Once back in Fitero, the devotees attend Mass and pray for loved ones.
Devotees of the Rocio Virgin take part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Devotees of the Rocio Virgin dance while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Josefa Daza, a devote of the Rocio Virgin, poses while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Joaquina Almellones, a devote of the Rocio Virgin, poses while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio” outside Fitero, Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Melena Garro, a devote of the Rocio Virgin, poses while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
A devotee of the Rocio Virgin takes part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Devotees of the Rocio Virgin cross a river as they take part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alberto Simon, a devote of the Rocio Virgin, poses while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" outside Fitero, northern Spain, Saturday, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Alberto Simon shows a medallion with the image of the Virgin while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" outside Fitero, northern Spain, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Devotees of the Rocio Virgin dance while taking part in the "Romeria de El Rocio" in the countryside outside Fitero, northern Spain,, May 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Photos by Alvaro Barrientos.