Higuillo Festival
The Fiesta del Higuillo is a traditional festival in the town of Villasandino, Burgos, which forms part of the celebrations in honour of San Sebastian and which has been celebrated for centuries by the local people.
What does the celebration consist of?
On the eve of San Sebastian, on the 19th of January, the cofrades gather dressed in the traditional cloak and hat and share aniseed bread with the people.
On the 20th, at the end of mass, San Rafael is carried in procession accompanied by a horseman dressed for the occasion and dulzaineros to liven up the festivities.
The audience sings traditional songs and throws sweets at the children, as well as rolling mandarins for them to pick them up.
The most characteristic part of the festival is the "higuín", which consists of tying a fig to a rope connected to a stick, where the participant has to pick up the floured fig with their mouth without using their hands as it passes over their face.
What to do and places to visit in Villasandino?
If you come to visit this festival, you can take a route around the Lagunas, a wetland where you can see birds such as the mallard, marsh harrier, coot and many other birds that live in the surrounding area.
We also recommend a visit to the Romanesque Bridge and Arch, over the River Odra; the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, and the Gothic Church of Barriuso.
Gastronomy
As for its gastronomy, the pork products stand out, especially the black pudding with rice, which is exquisite. Also the fresh Burgos cheese and suckling lamb.
