| Overview | | | | see the statue of Virgin of the Dew that has |
| The town El Rocio is situated in the center of | | | | been in existence from the 13th century. People |
| Donana Park which is in the province of Huelva | | | | who come on pilgrimage are known as rocieros. |
| and is located between the coast and Almonte. | | | | The pilgrimage takes place on the 7th weekend |
| This is mainly a pilgrimage town. | | | | after Easter before Pentecost Monday. The |
| All cities, towns and villages in Andalucia have their | | | | pilgrims arrive from Friday onwards and leave on |
| own pilgrimages either for the patron saint or | | | | Tuesday. The traffic in this period is very heavy. |
| virgin or the local person whom they love the | | | | The actual pilgrims avoid using the motorway; |
| most; El Rocío is no exception to that. | | | | they follow the route that goes along the |
| However, the pilgrimage in El Rocío is the most | | | | motorway. |
| popular pilgrimage compared to that of the other | | | | During the pilgrimage time - late May or early June |
| places in this region because it has a cult status. It | | | | - the locals wear traditional clothing and prepare |
| is not only most important but also most colorful. | | | | their wagons. Men wear broad-brimmed sun hat, |
| Millions of people come for this pilgrimage not only | | | | trousers of grey or brown or black color and |
| from Spain, but also from far off places. | | | | western style boots. Women wear flamenco |
| History | | | | dresses with a fuller skirt. |
| The cult began in the 13th century. According to a | | | | There are pilgrims who undertake the journey in |
| legend, a hunter from Almonte or Villamanrique | | | | a traditional way. They either travel on horseback |
| found the Virgin Mary statue in Donana Park | | | | or in picturesque gypsy-style decorated with |
| under a tree trunk. A small place of worship - | | | | flowers and curtains tied so that one can get a |
| chapel was constructed in the location of the tree | | | | glimpse of the interior. The wagons are pulled by |
| and it became a pilgrimage place. Initially the | | | | oxen pairs. |
| devotion was limited to this place only. | | | | People also use tractors for this journey. The |
| Brotherhoods from nearby towns started coming | | | | rocieros and the children normally sit on the side |
| for pilgrimage during the 17th century and by 19th | | | | benches in the trailers. Some people travel by a |
| century people from Cadiz, Seville, etc. came on a | | | | white caravan with air-con and running water. |
| trip that took 4 days. Virgin del Rocio cult has | | | | Traditionally there are 3 routes pilgrims take - |
| become very popular nowadays and people from | | | | Triana in Seville, Huelva in the west and Sanlucar |
| all over the world visit this place. | | | | de Barrameda in the south. Most of the |
| Pilgrimage | | | | brotherhoods, irrespective of where they come |
| A large number of people come on pilgrimage to | | | | from, ultimately join any one of these routes. |