Procession of the Hundred Maidens of Sorzano

What is the Procession of the Hundred Maidens of Sorzano?

The Procession of the Hundred Maidens is a festivity that is celebrated every third Sunday of May in the town of Sorzano, to commemorate the victory over the Muslims in the battle of Clavijo, during the time of the reconquest.

How is this festival celebrated?

It involves the participation of young local girls or maidens dressed in white, carrying bunches of holly decorated with beautiful flowers. They lead a large procession, starting the ascent to the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Roble from the Church of San Martín.

They march in procession with the image of La Hermedaña. They are accompanied by the locals, visitors and joyful dancers led by Cachiberrio (a harlequin figure).

When they arrive at the hermitage they place the images of the virgins of La Hermedaña and El Roble. A mass is celebrated outdoors, exalting the values of fertility symbolized by the maidens dressed in white, considered future marriageable young women. It is a tradition.

The return culminates with an aperitif that is offered to the participating maidens, as well as a distribution of candies.

Origins of the celebration of the Procession of the Hundred Maidens of Sorzano

The origin of this festivity dates back to the times of the Reconquest, in the Battle of Clavijo led by King Ramiro I of Asturias against the Muslims. This battle took place on May 23rd, 844 in the field of La Matanza located near Clavijo, in La Rioja.

The reason for this affront was due to the fact that the king refused to pay tribute to the Arab emirs, one of them being the delivery of one hundred maidens to the Moors.

It is estimated that before the middle of the 19th century the anniversary of this battle was commemorated. The people of the area attended in procession to the hermitage of the virgin "La Hermedaña", preparing a meal based on meat, to distribute it among the poor.

Curiosities of the Procession of the Hundred Maidens of Sorzano

Know some curious and interesting facts about the Procession of the Hundred Maidens of Sorzano:

The Confraternity of the Madonna del Roble starts the preparations in the month of April, by means of the elaboration of thousands of silk paper flowers, by the locals of Sorzano.
The weekend before the celebration, the "mayordomos" go up the mountain to cut the bunches of holly and decorate them.
Sorzano is the only town in Spain that is allowed to cut the branches of the holly tree, which is a protected species.

Recommendations to the visitor

If you want to enjoy this tradition to the fullest, here are some recommendations and practical tips:

• Wear comfortable clothes and footwear.
• For those who love hiking, La Rioja offers several alternatives for this sport.

What else can you see or do in the town if you go to Sorzano?

Know some places of interest that you can find in Sorzano. Enjoy an authentic rural getaway:

• Church of San Martin: Renaissance style building built in the first half of the sixteenth century.
• Ermita de la Virgen del Roble: located on the hill of El Lomo. It dates from the 16th century, with architectural modifications that include an amphitheater where the campaign mass of the procession of the one hundred maidens is celebrated.
• Sorzano Mill: this is the site of the Almazuelas de La Rioja Documentation and Dissemination Center.
• Museum of Almazuelas: learn about the historical and ethnographic aspects of almazuelas.

Gastronomy

Enjoy some typical dishes of La Rioja. A real delight:

• Potatoes a la Riojana: prepared with chorizo sausage from the region.
• Pocha beans with quails: white beans and quails cooked in a delicious stew.
• Bacalao a la Riojana: dish prepared with cod loin, ripe tomatoes, onions and dried peppers.
• Patorrillo: stew with lamb tripe and kid meat.