Festivities & Traditions
"A traveller without observation is a bird without wings." Moslih Eddin Saadi
Easter Week
El Bonillo | Cultural Events
A festival of Regional Tourist Interest noted for the richness of its processions and its antiquity.
The first brotherhood dates back to the 15th century and is called La Vera Cruz. Also of note is the importance of the music of El Bonillo, with antecedents dating back to the 16th century, including the bugle band of the "Armaos", more than 100 years old, whose unusual costumes are similar to those of the Tercios de Flandes.
Particularly attractive is the image of La Dolorosa, which preserves the face and hands carved by the master Salzillo. It can be seen in all its splendour in its procession.
The Three Magi's Play
Vianos | Public Event | 5 January
The Three Kings' Play used to be performed in different parts of Spain, but has been increasingly replaced in most places by parades. The one in Vianos has been celebrated for more than 160 years, and is unique in Castilla-La Mancha. Moreover, it is the only known itinerant performance, and it changes stage during the eight acts that make up the play.
The text has more than 400 verses and its cultural value is incalculable, maintaining the ancient Castilian of the original text.
This performance is totally participatory. The whole town collaborates, many as actors and others accompanying the play. The play "Adoración de los Reyes Magos" was found in a codex in the library of the Cabildo Catedralicio de Toledo in the 12th century, and is currently preserved in the National Library. We can be part of this play on the evening of 5th January in Vianos.
The White
El Ballestero | Public Event | 28 December
One of the oldest traditions in the province of Albacete is found in El Ballestero.
Since the 16th century, according to tradition, every December 28th, El Blanco walks through the streets of El Ballestero: "It's a good thing that today has been a sunny day. A soul in pain that today, as soon as I got out of the car, came up behind me, not to scare me, on the contrary, but to ask me for charity at the sound of a little bell". Today the money goes to an NGO, in the old days they used to pay for masses in honour of the "blessed souls in purgatory".
Romería Virgen Cortes
Alcaraz | Public Event | 25 August
In 1265, Alfonso X the Wise met with his father-in-law James I of Aragon to delimit conquest lands, and they met in this place to celebrate the Cortes, from which the sanctuary and the Virgin take their name. According to tradition, both monarchs were informed of the apparition of the Virgin and decided to make a contribution to the enlargement of the pre-existing church and the construction of an inn.
On the night of 25 August, the people of Alcaraz light bonfires in honour of the Virgen de Cortes. The following day, the devotees go to the Sanctuary of Cortes to accompany their Virgin on a romeria (pilgrimage) to Alcaraz, where she remains until 8 September. It is considered one of the most important pilgrimages in the province, with the presence of thousands of devotees.
The pilgrimage of the Virgen de Cortes is the oldest in Spain. It dates back to 1222. It has been declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest.
Romería del Santísimo
Cristo del Sahúco
Peñas de San Pedro | Public Event | 28 August
Amongst all the devotees of the Santo Cristo del Sahúco, the white attire and the coloured sashes of the "andarines" can be distinguished in the crowd. The "andarines" are the ones who carry the image of the Cristo del Sahúco in a fourteen kilometres race, the distance that separates the parishes of Peñas de San Pedro and the village of El Sahúco.
After the Christ is placed in his box in the form of a cross and carried on the shoulders, the race begins amidst the applause of the crowd and the traditional cheers of encouragement to the walkers. There are three stops along the route: Pardalejo, La Rambla and Puente La Solana. At each of these stops, marked by simple crosses, the people of the nearby villages gather to see the Christ and kiss his feet. The walkers rest and drink water.
Traditions & Crafts Fair
Villa de El Bonillo
El Bonillo | Public Event | Weekend closest to the Festivity of San Juan
This Traditions and Crafts Fair has been held since 2005 during the weekend closest to the festivity of San Juan. It is held in the Plaza Mayor of this town, which is one of its attractions and makes it unique. The fair is surrounded by the Church of Santa Catalina, built in the 15th-16th centuries, and the Renaissance-style Town Hall. Other activities take place in other historic areas of El Bonillo, such as the Recreation of the Concession of the Privilege of Villazgo, which takes place in the town's Rollo Picota.
