Overview

The town El Rocio is situated in the center of Donana Park which is in the province of Huelva and is located between the coast and Almonte. This is mainly a pilgrimage town.

All cities, towns and villages in Andalucia have their own pilgrimages either for the patron saint or virgin or the local person whom they love the most; El Rocío is no exception to that. However, the pilgrimage in El Rocío is the most popular pilgrimage compared to that of the other places in this region because it has a cult status. It is not only most important but also most colorful. Millions of people come for this pilgrimage not only from Spain, but also from far off places.

History
The cult began in the 13th century. According to a legend, a hunter from Almonte or Villamanrique found the Virgin Mary statue in Donana Park under a tree trunk. A small place of worship - chapel was constructed in the location of the tree and it became a pilgrimage place. Initially the devotion was limited to this place only. Brotherhoods from nearby towns started coming for pilgrimage during the 17th century and by 19th century people from Cadiz, Seville, etc. came on a trip that took 4 days. Virgin del Rocio cult has become very popular nowadays and people from all over the world visit this place.
Pilgrimage

A large number of people come on pilgrimage to see the statue of Virgin of the Dew that has been in existence from the 13th century. People who come on pilgrimage are known as rocieros.

The pilgrimage takes place on the 7th weekend after Easter before Pentecost Monday. The pilgrims arrive from Friday onwards and leave on Tuesday. The traffic in this period is very heavy. The actual pilgrims avoid using the motorway; they follow the route that goes along the motorway.

During the pilgrimage time – late May or early June – the locals wear traditional clothing and prepare their wagons. Men wear broad-brimmed sun hat, trousers of grey or brown or black color and western style boots. Women wear flamenco dresses with a fuller skirt.

There are pilgrims who undertake the journey in a traditional way. They either travel on horseback or in picturesque gypsy-style decorated with flowers and curtains tied so that one can get a glimpse of the interior. The wagons are pulled by oxen pairs.

People also use tractors for this journey. The rocieros and the children normally sit on the side benches in the trailers. Some people travel by a white caravan with air-con and running water.

Traditionally there are 3 routes pilgrims take – Triana in Seville, Huelva in the west and Sanlucar de Barrameda in the south. Most of the brotherhoods, irrespective of where they come from, ultimately join any one of these routes.

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