El Salto de la Reja
- When: 5th June 2018
- Where: Huelva, Spain
- Website: rocio.com
‘Jumping over the Fence’ – that's how this festival has been named, though it's not very clear what the exact origins are. What is clear is that it has become a unique badge of honour in the procession of the Virgen del Rocío, the patron saint of Huelva.
In short, the "Salto de la Reja" consists of jumping over the fence of the sanctuary at Rocío and it is the locals who come out in full force to perform this special ritual. This marks the beginning of the the procession of the Virgin, a pilgrimage which will cross the whole municipality of Huelva.
Places you can’t afford not to visit in Huelva
The province of Huelva, located in the south of Spain, has extensive beaches, beautiful towns with a seafaring atmosphere and natural landscapes full of charm. Among the various things to see in Huelva are the Doña National Park, which both is a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The popular festivals in Huelva are another reason for taking a short break in the region, with the Romería del Rocío, of International Tourist Interest, being the most well-known. The history and culture of the province is unparalleled, with the pier from which Christopher Columbus left to discover America being located right here. Similarly, its gastronomy, which highlights premium source materials like high-quality Spanish serrano ham and white shrimp typical of the region.
Wild emotion in the "Salto de la Reja" and the procession of the Virgen
The first documents referring to the Romería de Huelva pilgrimage date from the 17th century. The processions of the past were very different from the present ones, and it is thought that the "Salto de la Reja" is much more recent than the pilgrimage as a whole.
In the seventies, the Rocío pilgrimage adapted to the times and the procession began to take place earlier. In this way, the doors of the sanctuary remained closed until the Virgin went out in procession. However, it is believed that in 1975 several people from Almonte decided to jump over the fence, giving rise to this tradition.
The statue of the Virgin, surrounded by white flowers, is carried out in a procession with a precious cloak covering her. Despite the overflowing passion and popular fervour of the event itself, the chaos gives way to calm. Many people gather inside the hermitage shrine, but the moments before the departure of the Virgin are quiet. The central corridor of the building is left free, so that the Simpecado de la Hermandad Matriz can enter the hermitage and begin the procession.
This curious fiesta deep in Andalusia is a hidden gem among Spanish festivals and a real sight to behold.
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