The road to El Rocio

The road to El Rocio

Advertisement

Jose Luis Garcia "Lugo", from the Sanlucar de Barrameda fellowship, rides a horse as he makes his way to the shrine of El Rocio in the Donana National Park.

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of devotees converge at the shrine to pay homage to the Virgin del Rocio during an annual pilgrimage, which combines religious fervour and festive colour.

. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims run outside the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte, where the Virgin del Rocio is housed.

1 / 18

Slideshow

Women in traditional dress travel to El Rocio.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Women in traditional dress travel to El Rocio.

A pilgrim walks as she makes her way to the shrine.
. SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

A pilgrim walks as she makes her way to the shrine.

Pilgrims from the Sanlucar de Barrameda fellowship pull their horses as they travel through Donana National Park.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims from the Sanlucar de Barrameda fellowship pull their horses as they travel through Donana National Park.

A couple, from the Chipiona fellowship, gaze at each other as they make the pilgrimage.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

A couple, from the Chipiona fellowship, gaze at each other as they make the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims, from the Sanlucar de Barrameda fellowship, lead their horses.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims, from the Sanlucar de Barrameda fellowship, lead their horses.

People watch as pilgrims make their way to the shrine of El Rocio.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

People watch as pilgrims make their way to the shrine of El Rocio.

Pilgrims ride through the Quema river.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims ride through the Quema river.

Pilgrims wade through a river on their way to the shrine of El Rocio.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims wade through a river on their way to the shrine of El Rocio.

Carriages cross the Quema river.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Carriages cross the Quema river.

The Triana fellowship travels towards Almonte.
. VILLAMANRIQUE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

The Triana fellowship travels towards Almonte.

A pilgrim rests after crossing the Quema river.
. AZNALCAZAR, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

A pilgrim rests after crossing the Quema river.

Pilgrims from the Chipiona fellowship make a stop on their journey.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims from the Chipiona fellowship make a stop on their journey.

Members of the Alcala de Guadaira fellowship take part in a procession during the pilgrimage.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Members of the Alcala de Guadaira fellowship take part in a procession during the pilgrimage.

Pilgrims laugh as they wait to take part in a procession.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims laugh as they wait to take part in a procession.

Pilgrims from the Aznalcazar fellowship play their drums.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims from the Aznalcazar fellowship play their drums.

A pilgrim rides a rearing horse next to the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

A pilgrim rides a rearing horse next to the shrine of El Rocio in Almonte.

Pilgrims from the Fuengirola fellowship push a cart, bearing a pennant of the Virgin del Rocio.
. CORIA DEL RIO, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Pilgrims from the Fuengirola fellowship push a cart, bearing a pennant of the Virgin del Rocio.

The Virgin del Rocio is carried by pilgrims during a procession around the shrine.
. ALMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

The Virgin del Rocio is carried by pilgrims during a procession around the shrine.