May 23 to 25 The Romería of San Isidro Labrador in the Caravaca village of Poyos de Celda

A three-day event in one of the most isolated parts of the Murcia countryside!

Los Poyos de Celda, home to the remains of an old 13th-century castle, is located in the almost empty countryside of the far west of Caravaca de la Cruz, close to the boundary with Andalucía, and over the weekend of May 23 to 25 its traditional Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador is being held in the area of the neighbouring localities of Los Royos, La Capellanía and El Moralejo (which is actually 7 km away by road, but in this vast landscape that’s nothing!).

The schedule for the weekend includes the following:

Friday May 23

16.00: The floats and carriages for the Romería are prepared and the churches remain open from 16.00 to 22.00.

21.00: A “cena rociera” dinner in the public squares of Los Royos and El Moralejo (prior booking is required at the local salon social).

Saturday May 24

7.30: Breakfast at the social centres of Los Royos and El Moralejo.

8.00: The figures of the patron saints are taken out (The Virgen de Fátima in El Moralejo and the Virgen de la Purísima in Los Royos) and the Romería exvursion begins.

10.00: A snack en route at Torre Gijón, where the patrons of the two villages meet. Music from the Animeros de Caravaca.

11.30: The Romería continues to the tiny church of Los Poyos de Celda.

13.40: The Romería reaches Los Poyos to meet with the figure of San Isidro.

14.00: Communal lunch, paella plus bread, dessert and a drink at 10 euros per head.

15.30: Traditional music and dancing with the Animeros de Caravaca.

19.00: More music for all ages.

Sunday May 25

12.00: Mass and the Blessing of the Fields at the church of San Isidro Labrador in La Capellanía, accompanied by music from the Coro Rociero de Cehegín.

13.00: The return journey begins to the villages of El Moralejo and Los Royos.

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