May 3 and 4 Romería Rociera al Molino del Saltaor in Aguilas

Over May Day weekend Águilas celebrates its 37th annual Romería Rociera al Molino del Saltaor

Every year at the start of May Águilas holds a Romeria del Rocío, in which participants walk out from the town centre to the windmill of El Saltaor, which is home to a barbecue and picnic area. When they arrive they camp overnight and then enjoy a day of music, sevillana dancing, camp fires and paella-making competitions before returning to Águilas with the figure of the Virgen del Rocío on Sunday night.

The route is about 6 kilometres from the centre of Águilas and the windmill itself is not far off the main road to Lorca, signposted for Los Arejos (see map below).

Saturday May 3

10.00: Choral Mass in the church of San José (Plaza de Espana) with a blessing of the participants. Following Mass the figure of the Virgen is enthroned and there is a floral offering in front of the Town Hall before the procession moves to the Plaza Virgen del Rocio.

11.00: Gathering of the pilgrims who wish to participate in the Romería in the Plaza Virgen del Rocío. Horses, carriages and cars follow the Romería around this area of the port and into Calle Rey Carlos III.

11.15: Floral offering to the Virgen del Rocío followed by an official send-off from the Mayoress at 11.30.

12.00: Midday Prayers and floral offerings outside the Casa Cuartel of the Guardia de Civil.

15.00: Arrival at the camping area and time to stop for lunch (rice paella).

18.30: Arrival at the Molino del Saltaor. Friends have already gone on ahead and prepared barbecues, set up camp, and there's food and music into the night. Many stay the night in tents.

At 23.30 there's a torchlit procession, followed by hot chocolate and biscuits.

Sunday May 4

8.30: Morning Mass.

12.00: Midday prayers.

14.30: Paella competition.

18.00: Return to Águilas.

20.45: Arrival in the Plaza de Espana and the church of San José.

If visiting Águilas your first port of call should be the local tourist office (click here for map, telephone 968 493285, email turismo@aguilas.es).

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Águilas Today.