El Rocío

El Rocío is not a traditional town but a small, unusual settlement belonging to the municipality of Almonte, Huelva. Its entire existence is centered on its immense religious importance as the site of one of Spain's largest and most famous annual Marian Pilgrimages.

The settlements is located to the Doñana National Park, one of Europe's most significant wetland and wildlife reserves. This proximity results in a unique landscape where the small, sandy streets and traditional houses are backed by marshes and the natural reserve.

The architectural layout is specific: the main roads are unpaved, allowing for horses and traditional carts, which are essential transportation during the pilgrimage. The focus of the site is the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Rocío, which houses the small, revered wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the Blanca Paloma.

For most of the year, El Rocío is nearly deserted, projecting an ethereal, quiet sense of place.

However, during the Pentecost weekend, the Romería del Rocío transforms it into a massive convergence point. Over a million pilgrims, organized into brotherhoods, arrive on horseback, in carts, and on foot from across Andalucía and beyond, creating a profound spectacle of faith, regional custom, and intense communal celebration.