Each year, the city of Caravaca de la Cruz in Murcia, Spain, celebrates a feast that unites tradition and wine: Caballos del Vino. This feast takes place over the first weekend of May and draws visitors from every part of the world. In this article, we shall tell you all that you need to know about this fascinating celebration, which brings together culture, religion and wine.
Origins and history of Caballos del Vino
Caballos del Vino has its roots in an ancient legend that tells how, in the thirteenth century, the Christians fought the Muslims to recover a cross that had been lost. According to the legend, the Christian knights succeeded in recovering the cross thanks to the aid of horses that, in a burst of courage, climbed a wall until they reached the place where the cross was kept. Since then, the horses have become symbols of the city, and the feast of Caballos del Vino is a way of honouring these animals and giving thanks for their help.
What does the feast of Caballos del Vino consist of?
The feast of Caballos del Vino is a blend of tradition, culture and wine. During the celebration, a group of riders, dressed in the typical costumes of the region, ride through the streets of the city in a frantic race to reach the Basilica of the Vera Cruz. In the race, the riders must carry a barrel of wine in one hand without spilling a single drop, which makes the contest especially thrilling.
The race begins at the castle of Caravaca and continues through the cobbled streets of the city, which are adorned with flowers and flags. The riders compete with one another to reach the Basilica of the Vera Cruz, where they offer the barrel of wine to the Virgin of the Cross.
The race of Caballos del Vino is an impressive spectacle that draws thousands of visitors each year. Besides the race, during the feast one also finds numerous food and drink stalls where one may taste the wines and tapas of the region. There are also performances of traditional music and dance, which make the celebration still more exciting.
Wines of the region of Murcia
The region of Murcia is known for its excellent wines, which are produced in vineyards lying in the interior of the region. Some of the most popular wines of the area are those made with Monastrell grapes, and the DOs of Jumilla and Bullas. These wines are marked by their intense flavour and their aroma of woodland fruit and spices.
If you visit Caravaca de la Cruz during the feast of Caballos del Vino, you must not fail to taste some of the excellent wines of the region. Besides the wines mentioned above, in the city and its surroundings there are numerous houses that offer tastings and guided visits.
One of the most distinguished houses of the region is Bodegas Delampa, which stands in the town of Jumilla. This house is renowned for its red wines made with Monastrell grapes, marked by their intense body and their flavour of ripe fruit and spices. Besides the wines, at the house one may also taste typical products of the area, such as cheeses and charcuterie.
In short, the feast of Caballos del Vino is a celebration that unites tradition, culture and wine. During the feast, visitors may enjoy a thrilling horse race, taste the excellent wines of the region and learn more about the history and culture of Caravaca de la Cruz and its surroundings. If you are a lover of wine and of culture, you must not miss this remarkable feast.
