Andalucia and the Romeria de Jabalcon

‘Romeria de Jabalcon’ – A serious and ancient yet headily enjoyable Andalucian ritual!

Andalucia is a province of Spain steeped in tradition and what may seem to be a completely bizarre and crazy custom to visitors has been practised for centuries in this deeply ritualistic region of Spain and consequently the locals don’t bat an eye.

One such antiquated annual custom, which has remained unbroken for the last 400 years, is a pilgrimage made to the top of a mountain known as Mount Jabalcon near to the unpretentious yet characterful working town of Zujar in the Granada Province of Andalucia.

The ‘Romeria de Jabalcon” – Pilgrimage of Jabalcon – takes place on the last Sunday of April every year. This religious event attracts around 15,000 ‘pilgrims’ who slowly make their way up 15 kilometres of steep, rough and often treacherous terrain to the top of the mountain.

Heading the convoy of pilgrims is a figure of the Virgin Mary, who is righteously raised above the heads of six young strong ‘Zujarenos’ from the village below, in an ornate carriage decorated with flowers, crosses and euro notes – a tradition which is often used in Spain to represent prosperity.

The dutiful pilgrims are respectfully returning the Virgin Mary to her home, a hermitage on the top of Mount Jabalcon, where she will spend another year looking down and protecting the village of Zujar below.

From young and sprightly chaps in their 20s almost jogging to the summit, to old ladies in their 80s slowly edging up the mountain, often without shoes as a means of repenting their sins, the ‘Romeria de Jabalcon’, is a serious affair yet lacks the solemnity that often accompanies such a serious religious celebration.

Instead, Mount Jabalcon, on the last Sunday in April, is a hive of enthusiasm, happiness and excitement, particularly when you reach the top.

On the summit, Andalucian flags wave cheerily in the breeze with chorizo sausage and Cruzcampo beer dominating the tang in the air, as families and friends spread out their blankets and sit down to picnics fit for royalty!

With the blue skies this southern Spanish province is often blessed with in April, with the friendly hospitable locals serving you a tasty plate of tapas every time you order a drink, and with ancient religious traditions this heady and fun, there are plenty of reasons to visit Andalucia in April, and the ‘Romeria de Jabalcon’ is just one of them!