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ARCHIVED - Hundreds of people gather for annual pilgrimage in Aguilas
The participants led their Virgin up to the Molino de El Saltaor and stayed overnight in a traditionally Spanish ‘Romería’
The 35th annual Romería Rociera in Águilas this weekend was a great success, bringing together hundreds of people to pay their respects to the figure of the Virgen del Rocío.
This pilgrimage is held in Águilas every year at the start of May, with participants walking out from the town centre to the windmill of El Saltaor, which is home to a barbecue and picnic area.
This year, after the traditional pilgrims’ mass sung by the Brotherhood Choir, the numerous carriages and almost 100 horses set off from the Plaza del Rocío to the sound of the drums and bugle on their way to the camp, which this year had a new location on the esplanade of Agrícola Paloma.
They made a first stop at the Town Hall, where the Blanca Paloma was welcomed with a shower of flower petals. The ‘simpecado’ continued on its way to the Guardia Civil barracks, where an offering was made and the Angelus was prayed.
When the pilgrims arrive at the camp, the tradition is to stay overnight. When they got to the camp this Saturday, there was a ‘Procession of Torches’ and they said prayers with their Rosary beads. Then there was a Dawn Mass on Sunday morning, followed by the customary paella competition.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Águilas Today
Images: Ayuntamiento de Águilas
