Devotees in Almonte performed the traditional "salto de la reja" early Monday to begin the procession of the Virgen del Rocío [1, 2].
This annual event marks the spiritual climax of the Romería del Rocío, allowing the image of the Virgin to leave the hermitage and travel through the village among the pilgrims. It is a central pillar of Andalusian religious identity and attracts thousands of visitors to the province of Huelva.
The event took place inside the hermitage of El Rocío in the village of Almonte [3, 4]. Reports on the exact timing of the jump vary, with one source stating it occurred at 2:42 a.m. [5] while another reported the time as 3:02 a.m. [1]. This year's event occurred earlier than the previous year's jump, which took place at 2:56 a.m. [5].
Local residents, known as almonteños, jumped the fence to take hold of the floats carrying the Virgin [1, 2]. Once the image was secured, the procession began its route through the village streets. The event is supported by 127 filial brotherhoods that accompany the procession [1].
The Romería del Rocío took place from May 22 to May 25 [6]. The tradition ensures that the carved image of the Virgin is accessible to the romeros, the pilgrims who have traveled to the site, before returning to the sanctuary. The jump is the official signal that the religious festivities have reached their peak and the public procession has officially commenced [3, 4].
“The traditional 'salto de la reja' marks the beginning of the procession of the Virgen del Rocío.”
The 'salto de la reja' is more than a ritual; it is a highly synchronized act of faith that transitions the Virgin from a static sanctuary object to a mobile symbol of community. The involvement of 127 different brotherhoods underscores the vast regional network of the Romería, maintaining a centuries-old cultural link between the rural landscape of Huelva and the broader religious practices of Andalusia.
