The Romería of Santo Domingo is celebrated this year on April 21, with several decorated floats for the occasion, marking the beginning of the Córdoba May festivities. Join us to learn all the details of this festive day.
Contenidos
Sanctuary of Scala CoeliScala Coeli
The Sanctuary of Santo Domingo Scala Coeli is just 5 km from the capital, in the heart of the Córdoba mountains. In this chapel in honor of Saint Álvaro, silence reigns daily, but on the day of the pilgrimage, it is filled with songs and hustle and bustle.
Pilgrimage in Honor of Saint Álvaro
This pilgrimage has been celebrated for over 500 years in honor of Saint Álvaro, patron of the Holy Week Confraternities and Brotherhoods. The organizers are the Federation of Córdoba Clubs and the City Council of Córdoba.
Itinerary
The usual itinerary of this pilgrimage begins in the center of Córdoba, where some of the main avenues in the center are closed to allow the decorated floats carrying the pilgrims to pass. In fact, it is a small preview of what we will see later in the Battle of the Flowers.
After the procession through the streets of Córdoba, the pilgrims ascend with their flower-adorned floats to the Scala Coeli Sanctuary to make a floral offering, attend a mass, and participate in a small procession around the area.
This is followed by a festival of singing and dancing that lasts until sunset, when it is time to return to the city.
Legend of Saint Álvaro
Legend has it that the religious figure Álvaro of Córdoba, around the year 1432, would go down to the city as usual to beg for the poor of his community. On the way, he encountered a half-naked man, weak and showing signs of hardship.
Álvaro did not hesitate to wrap him in his cloak and take him up to the sanctuary. Once there, he left him at the entrance and went to notify his companions to help him. When they arrived and removed the cloak, they found a carved image of a crucified Christ, the Christ of Saint Álvaro.
Thus began the tradition of this Romería of Santo Domingo, which continues to this day.