Spain's craziest pilgrimage, El Rocío, brings together faith, nature and gatherings
El Rocio, Spain (AP) – Thousands of Catholic pilgrims arrive at the small village of El Rocío in southern Spain through rural roads, sandy trails, and even the Ford River, reaching the Ford River on the Pentecost weekend.
Since the Middle Ages, the idols of La Virgen del Rocío have been respected in this remote area.
Today, the crowd wore their best, but in dust and sweat, swaying the first prayer and singing the song of Sevillainco – by Flamenco – in front of Mary's white shelter, wild horses and flamingos roamed.
On hiking, horseback or cattle-driven trolleys, in houses on the streets of the village, there are plenty of parties, drinking, music and laughter. But there are solemn oaths, quiet worship service, and the tears of Thanksgiving that shines with candlelight.
“Since I was a little boy, everything has been a virgin,” said Javier Berjano, who walked around Sevilla as Triana Brotherhood, who was Triana Brotherhood. “The importance of pilgrimage is not to say it’s easy or good, it’s worth it.”
The pinnacle of the pilgrimage is the overnight time between Pentecost Sunday and Monday, a parade of the Virgin Mary idols. The crowd lingers, reaching the golden image of Mary watching the baby Jesus on her legs, then walks through the beach and the square to visit the houses of each fraternity.
With the relentless sunshine and heat growing on Monday morning, the pilgrims go back to celebrate, rest, and then take a break before returning to their journey – and start planning for the next year's Romería to their beloved Mary, with almost all of their images hanging medals from their necks, and some even tattooed on their bodies.
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This is a documentary picture story curated by AP Photo Editing.
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