Casa Museo de Los Caballos del Vino Caravaca de la Cruz

A chance to see the incredible embroideries of the Running of the Wine Horses up close

If you’re in the Region of Murcia on May 2 then take the opportunity to witness one of the most memorable and unique fiestas to be seen anywhere in Spain and watch the Running of the Wine Horses or Los Caballos del Vino in the north-western municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz.

If this isn´t possible, then spend a day in Caravaca de la Cruz regardless at any time of the year, but make sure that a visit to the Casa Museo de los Caballos del Vino is on the agenda.

The peñas who run their horses in this annual event have created a museum to honour this exciting and impassioned tradition, located in the 17th century señorial home of the familia Muso Muñoz Melgarejo, and through a series of audiovisual presentations and static displays, trace the beginning of this unique fiesta to the present day, bringing alive not only May 2 itself, but also recognising the work which goes into creating this special day throughout the year.

The museum is open:
Monday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm
Sundays 10am to 2pm

Location:
Calle Gregorio Javier, nº 21
Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia 30400

Telephone: 868 185 096 (Museum number) / 968 705 620 (for reservations)

Entry price: Standard 3 euros, reduced 2 euros.

The exhibits
The museum offers an audiovisual presentation on arrival, explaining what happens during the Running of the Wine Horses, and showing the different elements of this incredible fiesta.

However, the stars of the show are the astonishing mantels worn by the horses for just this one day of the year, every part of which is made by hand.

Each year every one of the 60 odd horses which run have a new mantel, as the peñas compete to create the most striking and stunning work of art, and competition is fierce, the designs hidden away until the eve of the fiesta when they are displayed in the former church of La Compañía.

These mantels comprise 14 different pieces, each of which is sewn and embroidered by hand, a massive, and hugely costly undertaking for the peñas involved, who pay for the entire process of creating the mantels, and caring for the horses who wear them, through their own membership fees. These works cost thousands of euros, using silk, gold and silver threads, as well as tassels, beads and brocade.

This museum draws together a selection of the most eyecatching pieces, showing the evolution of the mantels worn in the Running of the Wine Horses and offers an unparalleled opportunity to see these extraordinary pieces close-up.

These mantels are more than a symbol of pride for every peña, they’re a social documentary of the people who make this event so special every year, the faces woven into the designs the peña members themselves, along with their families, an intimate and personal commentary of the people who dedicate themselves to maintaining and promoting this unique event.

Every mantel is an exquisite artwork, the premier pieces representing thousands of hours of painstaking handiwork, with remarkable attention to detail, every millimetre of every piece sewn and embroidered by local families who earn their living maintaining this tradition and creating breathtaking pieces which are worn for just this one day.

If you can´t make it to Caravaca on May 2, then don´t miss the chance to see these remarkable pieces of work up close in the museum.

More information about the Running of the Wine Horses.
A full article detailing what happens on May 2 and giving safety advice about attending the event can be found in an extensive piece written about the event. Click for: Running of the Wine Horses 2nd May Caravaca de la Cruz

There is also another museum in Caravaca de la Cruz which focuses on the whole week of fiestas of which the running of the Wine Horses is just one element, the Fiestas de la Santísima y Vera Cruz.

This is the Museo de la Fiesta and it’s perfectly possible to visit both in one morning, although if forced to choose between the two due to time restrictions, then the Casa Museo de los Caballos del Vino has the best selection of embroidered mantels by far.

The Museo de la Fiesta is opposite the Tourist Information Office, so is a good place to start a morning in the town, and is close to the main parking area for those visiting. Click parking advice for Caravaca de la Cruz.

Click for more information about the Caravaca de la Cruz municipality