Casa-Museo de Los Caballos del Vino, the Wine Horses Museum in 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" fiestas groups who run their horses in this annual event have created a museum to honour this exciting and impassioned tradition, located in the 17th century home of the aristocratic Muso Muñoz Melgarejo family, and through a series of audiovisual presentations and static displays it is easy to trace the history of this unique fiesta from its beginnings to the present day. The focus not only on the fiesta of 2nd May itself, but also on the work which goes into creating this special day throughout the year.

The museum is open on weekdays from 10.00 to 14.00 and from 16.30 to 19.30, on Saturdays from 10.30 to 14.00 and from 16.30 to 19.30 and on Sundays from 10.30 to 14.00.

Address: Calle Gregorio Javier, 21, 30400 Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia (click for map)

Telephone: 868 185096 (Museum number) / 968 705620 (bookings)

Admission: 3 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 competing has a new shawl as the peñas compete to create the most striking and stunning work of art. Competition is fierce and the designs are hidden away until the eve of the fiesta when they are displayed in the former church of La Compañía.

These shawls comprise 14 different pieces, each of which is sewn and embroidered by hand, a massive and costly undertaking as the pay for the entire process and of caring for the horses who wear them through their 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 developopment of the mantels worn in the Running of the Wine Horses, offering an unparalleled opportunity to see these extraordinary pieces close-up.

These accoutrements 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 are of the members themselves and their families, an intimate and personal commentary of the people who dedicate themselves to maintaining and promoting this unique event.

Every one is an exquisite artwork. The premier pieces represent thousands of hours of painstaking handiwork, with remarkable attention to detail, every millimetre of every piece sewn and embroidered by local families who work at maintaining this tradition on a daily basis although the results are worn for just one day.

Further information 

Another museum in Caravaca de la Cruz 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.

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. 

Further information about Caravaca is available from the tourist office (Plaza de España, 7, telephone 968 702424, email turismo@caravacadelacruz.es).

Or for more local information, including the Holy Jubilee Year as well as local news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today.