El Rocío Confraternities Cross the Vado de Quema

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The crossing of the River Guadiamar at the “Vao de Quema” is one of the highlights of the municipality of Aznalcázar and its surroundings. The Confraternities have crossed the Vado de Quema since the first devout pilgrims travelled to the village of El Rocío. Those were the days when the Confraternities had not even been officially created. Currently, all 51 Confraternities and 10 Rocío Associations must cross the Vado de Quema.

The most remarkable moment is undoubtedly when each Confraternity’s Simpecado crosses the river, mounted on an oxen-drawn wagon, accompanied by pilgrims on foot and by horse. This is one of the most beautiful snapshots of El Rocío, millions of times photographed and celebrated with sevillanas and flamenco songs.

Once the wagon carrying the Simpecado is in the water, people pray and sing, and, sometimes, a first-time “romero pilgrim” is baptised. When that happens, all those present partake in the emotional moment.

Every spring, the Vado de Quema is witness to one of the most beautiful and emotional moments the El Rocío Pilgrimage. An event shrouded in a festive atmosphere that recreates one of the most iconic images of this famous pilgrimage.

Declared an Andalusian Festival of Tourist Interest, “El Paso” is the crossing of the River Guadiamar by the Confraternities at the ford named after the farm –El Quema- where it is located. Two of the most magical moments occur when the wagons carrying the Simpecado cross the river and a first-time “romero pilgrim“ is baptised.

In 1991, Aznalcázar built here a small temple dedicated to the Our Lady of El Rocío to welcome the pilgrims. Ignacio Mora Colchero is the author of the image. Interestingly, the heads of the two oxen -Caminante and Piñonero- that pulled the wagon that carried Aznalcázar’s Simpecado for the first time to El Rocío are buried under the temple. Two plaques, one in Latin and the other in Spanish, placed at the bottom of the monument refer to this.

Appoximate date: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the Rocío pilgrimage, May/June

Approximate date

Miércoles, jueves y viernes previos Romería Rocío

Labels

El Rocío

Pilgrimage