The Plaza de los Caballos del Vino in Caravaca de la Cruz

The wine horses of Caravaca gather here the evening before their race to the castle

The Plaza de los Caballos del Vino is in the north-west of the old centre of Caravaca de la Cruz, and is dominated by a statue of one of the wine horses after which it is named. It is also close to the Wine Horses museum (Museo de los Caballos del Vino), and plays an important part in the annual celebrations at the start of May.

It is to this square, also known locally as the Plaza del Hoyo, that the horses taking part in the spectacular races up to the castle are brought the night before, to be judged on their intrinsic qualities as athletic animals. On this occasion they are dressed in none of the finery and trimmings with which they are adorned on the day of the frenetic race up the hill, and large crowds come to admire the animals close up and in more detail than is possible the following day!

The square also hosts a popular neighbourhood meal every 30th May. On this date the residents gather in the square and the surrounding streets to prepare traditional dishes such as migas or grilled chorizo, morcilla and sausages as a community act.

The Plaza de los Caballos del Vino in Caravaca de la Cruz