Dia de Andalucia - 28 February 2017

The 28th of February is celebrated each year as a Public Holiday - Andalucia Day.
This year the Town Hall are celebrating with a Theatre event - details on the poster below.

Illora Carnaval February 2017

The annual Illora Carnaval took place in town last week.

As usual, there were some fantastic costumes, with everyone getting involved.
Lots of fun was had - a procession through the streets of Illora, followed by a judging of the costumes.

Here are just a few of those that took part - what brilliant costumes - do you recognise anyone?

Fuente - Fountain

Around the town of Illora, you can spot several Fuentes, or Fountains.
Over the last couple of years, several of these have been restored, including this one that can be found on the road from Alomartes into Illora, on the corner before the main roundabout.

San Rogelio

Saint Rogelio was a Monk born around the 9th Century, in Illora. He lived in the Sierra Parapanda region, during the period of religious intolerance in Spain.He travelled with a Monk named Servideo to Cordoba where he became an apostle. Here he was condemned and executed for his defense of Christianity on 16 September 852. He became a martyr for life and is now known as Saint Rogelio.

Several years ago, the people of Illora decided to commemorate this Saint by designing and erecting a statue on the roundabout at the top of the High Street. These pictures show the statue from design stage, how it would look imposed on a Google street view image, and the statue finally in place waiting to be uncovered. 

 

 

 

His statue is also to be found in the church in Illora

  On the Day of Saint Rogelio, he is proudly paraded through the town 

 

Christmas Celebrations in Andalucia

Throughout the province, from the beginning of December until January 6th and the arrival of the Three Kings, everyone in Granada is beginning to decorate their towns, villages, Churches, homes and shops, with Belens (Nativity Scenes) and other Christmas decorations.

Here are a few that we have spotted on our travels over the last week in various locations.

Feliz Navidad!

Chrsitmas Events in Illora

All Saints Day - Todos Los Santos

All Saints Day in Spain (Todos Los Santos) takes place on November 1st. It is a very important national public holiday when people from all over the country return to their town or village to lay flowers on the graves of deceased relatives. There are few religious days that mean quite so much to the ordinary people of Spain as this solemn festival.

 Most people will visit the graves of relatives and decorate them with elaborate floral displays.The Eucharist, or Mass, will often be performed in the cemetery several times during the day.