It commemorates the charge of muleteers in Atienza, 1162, that saved king Alfonso VIII from falling into the hands of his uncle, Ferdinand II of León, who wanted to seize the throne from him. It is said that the soldiers of the king from León were celebrating a pilgrimage in honour of the Virgen de la Estrella, and that for this reason the muleteers managed to leave without being seen. This fiesta combines historical and religious elements.
The fiesta begins on Sunday morning when the fraternity members, on horseback, make the pilgrimage to the hermitage of the Virgin of La Estrella ('The Star'), accompanied by the sound of the drum and the 'dulzaina'. There, a procession of the image of the Virgin takes place, along with a platform auction, and pastries that are still weighed in 'celemines' (old Castilian measure). The auctioneer is called the 'manda'. Members of the fraternity, astride mules, with long capes and black hats, cross the town preceded by 'gaita' (type of bagpipe) players, the standard-bearer, the abbot, the 'prioste', the 'seises' and the major-domo, on their way to the hermitage of La Estrella, where they attend a mass, followed by a procession and a fraternity meal. The entourage returns in the afternoon and, after crossing the town, the fraternity members compete in furious races through the Puerta Caballo neighbourhood, to end up electing the new elder brother in front of Trinity church.
When?: May or June.
Source: Spain info
Rev. PAB: 30.10.18