May festivities in Aldeire
At the end of May, the festivities in honor of the patron saint of Aldeire, La Virgen del Rosario, are celebrated in the region of Marquesado del Zenete. They take place during these dates due to the change of the water cycle, as it was the irrigation period in the La Calahorra area, giving farmers more time to enjoy the celebration.
What are the May festivities in Aldeire like?
On Friday afternoon, a Floral Offering is made to the Virgin of the Rosario, in which the inhabitants of Aldeire dress up as gypsies to offer bouquets of flowers. This event takes place at the door of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, accompanied by the Aldeire Municipal Band, which once the Floral Offering is finished, performs a parade through the town. That same afternoon, the procession of the Holy Rosary is celebrated accompanied by the music band.
On Saturday morning, the Holy Mass is celebrated in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, accompanied by the parish choir of Aldeire.
That same day in the afternoon, the encounter between the Moors and Christians takes place, and then everyone goes to the Church to accompany the patron saint, the Virgin of the Rosario, through the streets of the town. She takes a tour around the entire town.
On Sunday, the interpretation of the Moors and Christians takes place in the town square, where the castle and the camp gazebo are set up. This festival is held in honor of the Virgin and commemorates the Muslim and Christian history of the Granada War. The event consists of two well-defined parts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Origin of the May festivities
After a long battle between the Moors and the Christians, the Muslims implore forgiveness, and upon Christian refusal, the Sultan makes the same proposition, asking for forgiveness from the Virgin. The representation concludes with a "Long live the Virgin of the Rosario". In the procession, the Moors and the Christians accompany the Virgin to the Church.
Tourist attraction of Aldeire
Aldeire is the town in the region of Marquesado del Zenete that goes further into the mountain, Sierra Nevada, and therefore, the beauty of its landscapes is indisputable. It is the gateway to the Puerto de la Ragua, where hiking routes or cross-country skiing can be started.
You can also visit the Castle of La Caba, from the caliphate era, and the Church of Santa María de la Anunciación.
