Corpus Christi is a Catholic holiday in celebrating the presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist It is celebrated throughout Spain in either May or June, depending on when Easter occurs. Today is also the day the First Communion ceremonies are held for all of the 10 year old children.
All through the old town here in Salobreña decorated altars have been set up for the day, as well as balconies decorated in lace.
One of the Altars set up for the day on Calle Martin Recuerda
Balconies on Calle Real decorated with lace tablecloths
The newly Confirmed lead the procession through the streets.
What started out as a dry french bread dough cake with a bean hidden in it has over the past 300 years evolved into a delicious danish type dough cake with sweet cream, caramelized sugar and dried fruit placed decoratively on top. This year was my very first year to try it, not the last to be sure.. it really was delicious, and it made my birthday on the 9th extra special.
My Three Kings Birthday Cake
The booby prize, a dried haba beans
I actually got the prize, a porcelain Balthazar.
Wikipedia says:
The “king cake” takes its name from the biblical three kings. In Catholic liturgical tradition, the Solemnity of Epiphany – commemorated on January 6 – celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. The Eve of Epiphany (the night of January 5) is popularly known as Twelfth Night (the Twelve Days of Christmas are counted from Christmas Eve until this night). The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), up until Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday;” the day before the start of Lent. Some organizations or groups of friends may have “king cake parties” every week through the Carnival season. In Portugal and France, whoever gets the King cake trinket is expected to buy the next cake for these get-togethers
A few years ago there was some kind of incident on the beach involving horses, their riders and alcohol. Following that the town hall decided to banish the horses from the mix. They were given their own area away from the crowds and they were not allowed back for about 3 years. Because of this, each year fewer and fewer riders bothered to bring their horses down and it really did have a profound affect on the overall atmosphere of the Romeria. It’s a different Romeria without horses. After much pleading and promises, deals were made and the horses were allowed back into the mix. I for one am happy, life has been brought back to the party.
It is that time of year again. The Romeria or Pilgrimage that honors our Patron Saint Rosaria will take place this Sunday commencing at 11am. For those already here, a program can be obtained from the tourist office, or a digital copy may be downloaded from the Tourism Salobreña Facebook page.
It is a large booklet, lots of information and photos. The pertinent information regarding times and activities starts about about page 58, so keep scrolling if you have downloaded the pdf file.
The day will be loaded with traditional costumes, decorated wagons, horses doing dressage, lots of food and music. Don’t miss the biggest party on the coast. If you wish to see photos from previous years, check out the archives for Oct for any of the previous 7 years.
The horses are back! The last 3 or 4 years, horse and rider were banned from the beach and the beach road during the Romeria due to safety concerns after a couple of minor incidents. Happily, this year the ban was lifted, this is really good news because when the ban was in place, the whole feel of the Romeria had changed, it just wasn’t the same. A big Thank You to the Ayuntamiento for allowing the horses full participation again!
I finally managed to get to the Fiesta del Carmen and get some photos. Every year on the 16th of July, an effigy of the Virgin del Carmen is paraded through the streets of small fishing villages all along the coast. A mass is said and then it’s off to the water front where the statue is then loaded onto a boat and then taken around the harbor.
Large crowds always show up to pay their respects, and the atmosphere is always quite festive.
Anyone with a boat shows up.
The sun is starting to disappear
The crowds line the shoreline
The religious custodians of the Virgin del Carmen
A trip through the streets after mass
Affectionately known as the Star of the Sea.
One of her bearers.
It’s a complicated business getting down to the sea.
Well another Romería has come and gone, and what a great day it was. It was a little different this year in that it was held on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday, and because of this it had a slow start, but by later in the day it was in full swing.
Another change to the Romería the last 3 years has been the absence of horses on the beach. Because of safety issues with the crowds, the horses are now only permitted in the fair grounds in behind La Bahia. My preference would be to see them brought back into the thick of things again, it’s just not the same atmosphere without them. I spoke to many people about this, and they all said the same thing. Come on Mr Mayor we want our horses back!
If you have never been here for the Romería, it really is a great weekend. Lots going on, and the colors are spectacular. For more photos you can check out the Facebook page Hecho en Salobreña. Locals post their photos on there. I have so many photos, that I will be doing multiple posts for this event
Well the big weekend is finally upon us, and no one could be happier than I. This is the Fiesta in honor of the Virgen del Rosario, and if you like taking pictures, then this is the place to be this weekend.
Scene from Romeria 2009
Tonight (Friday) the band Melocos performs in the Paseo de Flores. Tickets are 10 euros in advance and 12 at the door. It’s going to be a late one, as the doors don’t open until 22:30. You can obtain tickets at the Casa de Cultura, the Tourist Office or Bar Sunem Playa.
Here is a little of what you will be hearing. Good luck on getting any sleep Helen!
Saturday at 11am the Romeria procession leaves the Plaza de San Juan at 11am and heads down to the beach. This is a procession of several hundred people in traditional costume, accompanying many many decorated wagons, and people in full costume on horseback. You won’t believe the color!
The wagons will be on the beach all day, so don’t worry if you can’t be there until later. To see all of the action, you are best to head down to the beach at about 11:30 and get a spot by the side of the road. Everyone will have arrived by 12:00 when a mass is said for our Patron Saint the Virgen del Rosario.
Once the mass has been said, the party will begin. Just spend the day walking around and enjoying the many temporary tapas bars set up along the beach and enjoy a cold one.
At 17:30 we have Canción Epañola with Maria Porcel who will be accompanied by her School of Dance
At 19:30 is the presentation for best decorated wagons. Prizes are 800 euros for first, 500 for second and 300 for third
At 20:00 There will be fireworks and the Virgin Rosario will be escorted back to her Chapel.
At 21:30 We have live music with Raices Gemelas and the band Euforia
For the horse enthusiasts out there, the Fair Grounds just behind the park will see activities all day.
16:00 Carrera de Cintas a Caballo: This is great fun, riders on horseback run full speed with stick in hand and try to capture a ribbon blowing in the wind.
17:00 You will see a freestyle dressage competition, this is lots of fun and quite impressive. There is lots lots more going on, so be sure to pick up your free copy of the Virgen del Rosario 2012 schedule at the Tourist Office located in Plaza Goya just south of the Restaurante Bodega.
Salobreña Tourist Office: Located in Plaza Goya
Monday - Friday 09:00-15:00 and 16:30- 20:00
Sat,Sun and Holidays 10:00-13:00
Arab Castle: Hours starting 27Oct
Monday-Friday 09:30-14:00 and 16:00-18:30
Sat, Sun and Holidays 10:00-13:30 and 17:00.20:30
Entrance 2.25 euros per person
All in One ticket Museum and Castle 2.95euros
Museum: Hours starting 27Oct
Monday-Friday 10:00 -14:30- 17:00-19:00
Last possible entrance time is 14:00 leaving 30 minutes to peruse the items on display.
Entrance 1.50 euros
Castle and Museum All in One ticket 2.95
Group Ticket Price Castle- 1.15euros per person
Group Ticket All in One- 1.48 euros per person
Supermarkets:
Mercadona- 930-930 Mon-Sat
SuperSol 930-930 Mon-Sat
Lidl 930-930 Mon-Sat
Coverán 930-10pm 7days a week
Dia Maxi 0930-0930 Mon-Sat.
Public Holidays Salobreña
January 1st
January 6th
February 28th
Good Friday
May 1st- Labor Day
June 19th- Corpus Christi
June 24th- San Juan
August 15th- Assumption
October 6th- Salobrena only
October 12th- National Holiday- Columbus Day
November 1st- All Saints Day
December 6th- Constitution Day
December 8th- Immaculate Conception
December 25th- Christmas Day
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