Thousands of residents gathered in Callosa de Segura on Monday to celebrate the traditional romería of La Pilarica, accompanied by local dignitaries and members of the Guardia Civil. The venerated figure debuted a newly blessed embroidered mantle from the Perales workshop in Seville, with festivities featuring the traditional jota dance accompanied by the centenarian band La Filarmónica, colourful welcomes in the El Pilar neighbourhood and a moving stop at the local Guardia Civil barracks.
Thousands of residents in Callosa de Segura gathered this Monday to accompany the venerated figure of La Pilarica during a major day of celebration, marked by deep local devotion, music and longstanding community tradition. The image of the Virgin, cared for by the Hermandad de Caballeros y Damas del Pilar, has maintained a strong historical bond with the municipality ever since 1946, when the town council originally donated the land to build her hermitage, which opened the following year as an enduring symbol of local heritage.
For this year’s festivities, the sacred figure debuted a brand new embroidered mantle crafted by the Perales workshop in Seville. The ceremonial garment was formally blessed at the archpriest church of San Martín, where the Virgin has her permanent altar.
Members of the local municipal corporation, led by the mayor of Callosa de Segura, Juan Antonio Franco, joined the procession and commemorative events. The official gathering was also attended by the justice of the peace, the official town chronicler and representatives of the Guardia Civil. Among the attendees was the lieutenant post commander of Callosa de Segura, whose officers celebrate these days in honour of their patron saint, alongside a solemn mass held at the church of San Martín.
One of the most anticipated moments of the day arrived with the traditional dancing of the jota of La Pilarica, performed by local women to the accompaniment of the centenarian music band La Filarmónica. During the route, the procession reached the El Pilar neighbourhood, where residents welcomed the figure with joy and traditional gunpowder displays, continuing a neighbourhood tradition that dates back to 1948 when the district took its name from the patron.
The programme was scheduled to continue into the afternoon from 6.00 pm with a festive romería, during which the Virgin would depart from the hermitage accompanied by La Filarmónica towards the church of San Martín. En route, the procession planned an emotional pause at the Guardia Civil barracks, where officers of the law enforcement body carry the image on their shoulders into the station in one of the most moving highlights of the celebration.
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