On July 28th, the 'Venida 2026 Plan' was presented, detailing the schedule and security deployment for the procession of the Virgen del Rocío to Almonte. This plan, the result of months of work, aims to guarantee the safety of attendees and the surroundings.
The event was presided over by the mayor of Almonte, Francisco Bella Galán, and attended by representatives from the Government Delegation of Huelva, the Spanish Government Sub-delegation, the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte, as well as municipal and security officials.
The mayor emphasized the profound significance of the 'Venida de la Virgen del Rocío' for Almonte, calling it one of the most important and anticipated events for the town's residents, who prepare months in advance to welcome their Patron Saint.
Berta Centeno, government delegate for the province of Huelva, outlined the deployment that will be activated from August. The Andalusian Territorial Emergency Plan will be implemented on August 19th as the regional coordination framework, while the City Council will activate a local emergency plan on August 14th, coinciding with the Rocío Chico festival.
The local plan will address aspects such as traffic and parking in the village of El Rocío. From August 14th, parking will be prohibited on the village streets, with designated parking areas outside El Rocío, reserving only the parking at the 'real' for those visiting the hermitage.
For the procession from El Rocío to Almonte, lighting towers will be installed, and alternative evacuation routes will be signposted. The advanced command post will be located at the CECOPI offices in El Rocío, integrating the Guardia Civil, Local Police, Civil Protection, and 061, an organization that has enhanced security in the village since its inception.
The deployment will later move to the advanced command post in Almonte, located in El Chaparral. From August 14th, the presence of police and the Guardia Civil will be reinforced.
As a new feature, 14 geolocation beacons will be installed along the route to facilitate rapid intervention by emergency services.
The Almonte City Council and the farmers' association Puerta de Doñana will collaborate on improving the 'Camino de la Virgen', including irrigation to reduce dust, clearing, cleaning, and enhancing lighting to improve safety.
The involved administrations and entities agreed on the importance of institutional collaboration and resource coordination to manage this event. The deployment is the result of months of joint work to ensure the smooth running of this deeply rooted tradition in Almonte.
The Almonte City Council thanked all participating organizations, collectives, farmers, brotherhoods, and residents for their essential contribution to the event's success, reaffirming the municipality's commitment to the safety and organization of this significant religious and cultural manifestation.
