The Hermandad del Rocio (Spain) has issued an institutional declaration in

The Hermandad del Rocio (Spain) has issued an institutional declaration in support of tourism

11-02-25

The Hermandad Matriz de Almonte has issued an institutional declaration in support of tourism in El Rocío, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the granting of the honorary distinction of Fiesta of Tourist Interest to the Pilgrimage of El Rocío. This distinction was granted by the Ministry of Information and Tourism on 25th January 1965 and published in the Official State Gazette on 10th February of the same year.

The Pilgrimage of El Rocío has been recognised as an event of national reference since the 18th century, appearing in various encyclopaedias of the time. During the 19th century, its notoriety grew thanks to coverage in the national press, especially when illustrious visitors took part in it. The founding of the Hermandad del Rocío de Triana in Seville in 1813 and that of Huelva in 1880, as well as the devotion of the Montpensier family from 1851 onwards and the participation of prominent representatives of the Andalusian agricultural and farming bourgeoisie, contributed significantly to its promotion. Furthermore, the vision of the Romantic travellers of the time added a special attraction to the Pilgrimage.

At the end of the 1920s, the Pilgrimage of El Rocío began to consolidate as a tourist asset for Almonte and the provinces of Huelva, Seville and Cadiz, coinciding with the first tourism policies in Spain and following the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of El Rocío in 1919. The 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition in Seville and the International Marian Congress held that same year used the Pilgrimage as a prominent promotional element.

During the development plans in Spain and the Matalascañas urbanisation project, the Pilgrimage of El Rocío became a key element for the promoters. The granting of the title of Fiesta of Tourist Interest in 1965 placed it alongside emblematic celebrations such as the Sanfermines, Las Fallas, Corpus Christi in Toledo and Easter Week in Seville, Malaga and Jerez de la Frontera. This recognition led to improvements in infrastructure, such as the construction of roads and the electrification of the village, and supported significant projects such as the construction of the new Sanctuary of El Rocío between 1963 and 1969.

Subsequently, the Pilgrimage was recognised as a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest in 1979 and received the Silver Plaque for Tourist Merit in 1980. That same year, the Secretary of State for Tourism financed the poster for the Pentecost Pilgrimage. Outstanding events such as the Closing of the Marian and Mariological Congresses in September 1992 and the visit of H.H. St. John Paul II in June 1993 reinforced its international projection.

In 2012, the Brotherhood created the Pilgrim's Assistance Office after obtaining from the Holy See the concession of the first Jubilee Year in its history. In 2014, the Museo-Tesoros del Santuario del Rocío was inaugurated, a space dedicated to the interpretation and dissemination of the Pilgrimage and the historical-artistic heritage of the Hermandad Matriz. In 2017, Spiritual Affinity was achieved with the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor in Rome, further strengthening spiritual and cultural ties.

The Hermandad Matriz de Almonte stresses that the Pilgrimage of El Rocío is a manifestation of popular religiosity that has transcended borders, attracting thousands of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. This event is not only an expression of faith, but also an economic and cultural engine for the region, promoting tourism and contributing to local development.

In its statement, the Brotherhood reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and preservation of the Pilgrimage of El Rocío, recognising its historical importance and its positive impact on tourism. It also calls on institutions and society in general to continue to support and participate in this centuries-old tradition, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

The Brotherhood also stresses the need to maintain a balance between the influx of tourists and the conservation of the natural environment and heritage of El Rocío. It stresses the importance of implementing sustainable practices that ensure the protection of the environment and the integrity of the sacred spaces, allowing the pilgrimage to continue to be a point of reference for devotion and culture.

In this sense, the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte is committed to working in collaboration with local, regional and national authorities, as well as other entities and groups, to promote initiatives that encourage responsible and respectful tourism. These initiatives include awareness-raising programmes, improvements in infrastructure and services, and the promotion of cultural and educational activities that enrich the experience of visitors and pilgrims.

The declaration concludes by emphasising that the Pilgrimage of El Rocío is a living heritage that must be cared for and valued by all. The Hermandad Matriz de Almonte invites all stakeholders to join in this common effort to ensure that this unique tradition continues to flourish and bring spiritual, cultural and economic benefits to the community and to all those who participate in it.

With this institutional declaration, the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of tourism in El Rocío, recognising the importance of the Pilgrimage as an event of international relevance that contributes to the economic, cultural and spiritual development of the region.

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