Sunday 25 May 2008

Corpus Christi in Olvera


The feast of Corpus Christi took place today in Olvera, as it did in many other towns and villages throughout Andalucia.
The festival is thought to have started in the 13th century when a Belgian nun Saint Juliana of Mount Cornillon started the annual celebration in honour of the victory of Resurrection over death.
Ever since the festival has become a major cultural and tourist event.

Throughout the old historic part of town, the streets and houses were decorated with flowers and rushes and reeds from the countryside.

The pictures above and right show the start of preparations in Calle Azuaca.















Each street had one or more beautifully decorated shrines, each with a statue of Christ or the Virgin Mary, an open bible and bread and wine.
We walked around all of the area, admiring and appreciating the tremendous effort put in by all the residents of each street.












































































































































The shrine at the entrance to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.












A procession, led by local children, leaves the church at 8pm and proceeds to visit each shrine throughout the old town.









Linked posts:
Corpus Christi

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