Almonte maintains seven-year tradition of Virgen del Rocío transfer

In Almonte, the tradition of the 'Venida de la Virgen del Rocío' involves the town's patroness traveling from her sanctuary in the village to the town every seven years. While historical transfers dating back to at least 1589 were prompted by exceptional circumstances such as epidemics, droughts, or wars, the current seven-year cycle was institutionalized in 1949 following the reconstruction of the local parish.

During this tradition, the Virgin travels approximately 15 kilometers at night from the village of El Rocío to Almonte, where she remains for about nine months before returning to her sanctuary.