6th May, Moratalla, Romería to the Casa de Cristo.

Romería of the Casa de Cristo, Moratalla, 6th May

This is the Romería of Jesucristo Aparecido, patron of the town of Moratalla.

In this Romería, he returns to his hermitage, which is up at the Casa de Cristo, accompanied by the Virgen de la Rogativa. Its a hard climb for those carrying the figures, up the twisty, winding woodland road which leads to the Casa de Cristo, high up above the town, on the road towards the Campo de San Juan.

Part of the way through the climb, everyone stops for a country breakfast, then by 12 midday the figures have arrived at the Casa de Cristo, where mass is celebrated.

Following this, an encuentro de cuadrillas is being held, a gathering of groups performing the traditional music of the countryside, and all participants settle down for a good lunch and afternoon of social interaction.

Although many accompany the Romería on foot, those with the food tend to drive up to the Casa de Cristo either via the main road or through the back road which runs cross country behind the camping site, but should only be attempted by those with four by four vehicles and nerves of steel. Many people also drive up to enjoy the music and picnic, without taking part in the Romería. And there are also the logistics of getting back down into Moratalla to consider, although the walk back is down hill. The ideal is for those wishing to do this on foot to do so, but arrange for a friend to be waiting at the top with a barbeque and an empty car to bring participants back down to the bottom.

Programme:

7.30am Mass in the Parroquía Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción
8am Departure with the images of Jesucristo Aparecido and the Virgen de la Rogativa from the Parroquía towards the Sanctuary of the Casa de Cristo.
9.30am Arrival at Los Arcos and then the authorities, neighbours and municipal band send off the images. ( Los Arcos is at the foot of the climb up to the Casa de Cristo, a location on the road side made with brick arches. The road up to the Casa de Cristo is the MU-703, the twisty, winding road which leads up to the Campo de san Juan.)
9.40am Departure for  the Casa de Cristo.
11am. Almuerzo  campero. ( country breakfast)
12 Midday Mass at the sanctuary of the Casa de Cristo accompanied by the cuadrillas
1pm. First encuentro of Cuadrillas in the sanctuary of the Casa de Cristo.
With the participation of :

 
Cuadrilla de animeros del Campo de San Juan – Calar de la Santa.
Cuadrilla de animeros de Barranda.
Cuadrilla de animeros de Cañada de la Cruz.
Cuadrilla de animeros del Campillo de los Giménez.
Cuadrilla de animeros de Almaciles (Granada).

2.30pm Lunch. There are zones in which barbeques can be set, with proper barbeque constructions up by the Casa de Cristo. Everyone brings their own food and enjoys an afternoon of eating and drinking.
4pm Performances of the Cuadrillas
6pm Trophy giving.
7pm. The Virgen de la Rogativa departs from the sanctuary of the Casa de Cristo.

Locations:
Parroquía Nuestra Señora de la Asunción ( the main church in Moratalla, in the Plaza overlooking the town.)
Calle Mayor
Moratalla.

Click for map, Parroquía Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Moratalla,