Festivals in Villamartín
Discover the main festivals and traditions of Villamartín, from its town centre and fairground to the Nuestra Señora de las Montañas sanctuary.
Local festivals in Villamartín
The San Mateo fair and festivities are usually celebrated from 21 to 23 September and are documented in a council record from 1589. The fairground combines festival booths and community gatherings with Equisierra, a livestock show and competitions for pure-bred Spanish and Hispano-Arab horses. Farmers, livestock traders, riders, associations, families and the Town Council sustain one of Andalusia's oldest livestock fairs.
Virgen de las Montañas pilgrimage
On 8 September, pilgrims set out at dawn after mass in Santa María de las Virtudes parish church and travel roughly nine kilometres to the sanctuary. The Brotherhood's standard is accompanied by walkers, horse riders and decorated carts to the chapel, whose construction was already documented in 1562 and which is also linked to San Ginés and the former winegrowers of Pajarete.
Other celebrations: Holy Week and carnival
During Holy Week, brotherhoods hold penitential processions from Palm Sunday through to the meeting of the Risen Christ and María Santísima de las Virtudes in Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Carnival occupies two weekends with satirical singing groups, comparsas, quartets and local ensembles, continuing a tradition of humorous lyrics and masked dances.