Cartagena San Antón

The fiestas of San Antón are celebrated in the Barrio de San Antón on the 17th January

The 17th January is dedicated to San Antón Abad, the protector of animals, and the core event of any district which has San Antón as its patron saint is a service to bless the animals which usually takes place following mass. This is a popular, family activity in which participants bring along their pets, and in some areas, horses, donkeys, goats and chickens are present, along with the more conventional goldfish, canaries and puppies.

In the district of San Antón in Cartagena this has become a huge event and is preceded by a parade of horses and carriages, with dressage taking place in the main plaza in front of the church dedicated to the saint, the event usually attended by the Mayor ( ess) and council, along with thousands of people.

San Antón was often referred to as the first Monk, as he shut himself away in the desert to pray and meditate, at one point being walled up inside his cell for 6 months, so that he could reflect in peace and isolation. A quantity of bread was made to sustain him during this time, a dry, flat bread, the consumption of which is commemorated by the tradition of making little rollos, or panecitos de San Antón.You´ll find various interpretations of these little rolls, some formed into little biscuits, others rolled into circles and threaded onto ribbons in bundles, each part of Murcia having it´s own version of this tradition.

Money raised from their sale normally goes towards church funds, and you´ll find these little rolls on offer not only at church services and blessings of animals this weekend in return for a donation, but also on sale in bakers shops.

Keep them for the year and they´ll bring luck, and prosperity.

There are also many prize draws, or rifas, which include an animal, often a piglet, which refer back to the tempations experienced by the saint during the time he was shut away. He is said to have yearned for animal flesh, so of course, this being Murcia, the residents are only too happy to oblige by eating some on his behalf.

There are events such as that in La Copa in Bullas with extensive barbeques as part of their traditional celebrations, but here in Cartagena, down in the south, the dish of choice is grilled octopus, available from street bars set up in the district of San Antón.

In the days preceding these fiestas street bars sell vast quantities of grilled octopus and there are other festive events such as dances and family activities alongside the traditional BBQ’s.

The Barrio of San Anton Abad is close to Corte Ingles in Cartagena, about a 5 minute walk. It´s easily identified by the tall church tower which is distinctively visible in this part of Cartagena. Looking at the map, find Calle Hermanos Pinzon, and at the bottom is Calle Anduzar. The Plaza de la Iglesia is the little triangle where these two meet.