ARCHIVED - 8th December, Romería procession of the Bajada de Santa Eulalia in Totana
ARCHIVED ARTICLE
The patron of Totana is brought down to the town from her sanctuary for Christmas and the New Year
Totana celebrates its annual fiestas patronales in honour of Saint Eulalia between 29th November and 15th December 2019 with a wide variety of musical events, a fairground, a Feria de Día and numerous activities for the whole family as well as those held in veneration of the saint.
One of the key events takes place on 8th December when the figure of Santa Eulalia is carried down from her sanctuary, 7km above the town in the foothills of Sierra Espuña, in a “romería” procession accompanied by crowds of locals, with visitors always welcome. Once in Totana, she remains in the town until 7th January.
There are buses ferrying those on foot up to the hotel early in the morning, (leaving from alongside the rambla from 6.00 onwards) although others drive up there, leave the car and then get a lift back up to the hotel later in the day to collect it.
The day starts at 7.00 up at the sanctuary with hot chocolate for everyone, followed by Mass, then at 9.00 Santa Eulalia begins her journey down the winding mountain road to the area known as El Rulo, which is alongside the main roundabout at the entrance to the town. She arrives here at 12.00 midday amid thousands of people, musical groups, firecrackers and a festive air.
It's a family occasion and an atmospheric and enjoyable way to spend a morning, even for those with no religious beliefs: many non-Spaniards join in simply for the pleasure of taking part.
From El Rulo the saint is carried to the church of San Roque, before being taken on to the main parish church at a later date.
The events of the day in Totana, including the “romería”, are as follows:
7.00: Hot chocolate is served at the sanctuary of La Santa.
8.00: Holy Mass at the sanctuary.
9.00: The figure of Santa Eulalia is carried down from the sanctuary along a 7-kilometre route, accompanied by thousands of people. Buses run from 06.00 onwards ferrying participants up to the sanctuary. These depart from alongside the rambla. As this is a Saturday, the number of attendees is expected to be high.
12.00: Santa Eulalia is welcomed at El Rulo, just outside the entrance to the town, and met by the civic authorities before being carried down into the Ermita de San Roque.
12.00: The funfair opens until 15.00 (and later from 18.00 to 1.00 in the morning).
12.00: The Gastro-Festiva fair begins.
16.00: Music from The Tracks and DJs in the Plaza Balsa Vieja.
16.00: An evening fair begins in the Auditorio Marcos Ortiz.
Click for further information about the municipality of Totana.
Join the South West Murcia group on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and events in Mazarrón, Alhama de Murcia, Fuente Álamo, Águilas, Totana, Lorca and Puerto Lumbreras: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthWestMurciaEventsAndInfo/.