Botillo Exaltation Festival
Since 1973, the town of Bembibre in León has been celebrating the Fiesta de Exaltación del Botillo, an event that revolves around this gastronomic delicacy with the Bierzo Designation of Origin. The origin of the festival lies in the procession of the 'Salida del Santo', where the locals take the Santo Ecce Homo down from the Sanctuary to the Church of Santiago Apostol. This procession takes place every seven years, and it was in 1973 when the festivity of the Exaltation of the Botillo began to be celebrated.
What does the festival consist of?
The festival has been declared of National Tourist Interest and consists of the tasting of products from El Bierzo, not only botillo but also chestnuts, honey, cheese and wine from the region.
The figure of the "mantenedor" stands out, who is like the godfather of the event and is always an important national personality from all areas of culture, show business or politics. There is also a first class musical performance.
This festival is variable in the calendar as it takes place ten days before Shrove Tuesday. It always coincides with a Saturday, although from Friday to Sunday you can taste typical products. In addition, the event is preceded by a cultural week, with various commemorative events.
This festival becomes a tourist attraction for visitors who come in search of gastronomic delicacies. There is also an official dinner attended by between a thousand and two thousand people who, after buying a ticket, taste the best typical products of El Bierzo.
What is the botillo?
Botillo is a pig's tripe from the thickest part of the pig, stuffed with ribs, spine and pig's tail, all marinated and cured, which is served cooked with cabbage, potatoes and chorizo sausage. During the festival, the restaurants in the area offer menus based on botillo, this delicacy from the Bierzo region.
