Almonte witnessed an unprecedented tide of faith with the Venida of the Virgen del Rocío, culminating on August 20th with her return to the altar of the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. The City Council highlighted the collective effort of municipal workers, collaborating companies, security forces, volunteers, and residents to make this event possible.
Estimates suggest that over 1,400,000 people journeyed from the Aldea del Rocío to the municipality, making it the largest pilgrimage in Spanish history and reflecting the universal dimension of Rocío devotion.
Mayor Francisco Bella Galán acknowledged the meticulous work and months of planning involving numerous stakeholders to ensure the event's smooth running. Councilor Ana Saavedra emphasized the efforts in beautifying Almonte and the route, with the installation of over 7,000 meters of garlands and 25,000 light bulbs, in addition to 2,500 bunches of rosemary and 3,000 palm leaves.
As a novelty, a network of faucets with potable water was installed at key points along the route, thanks to an agreement with the company Giahsa, promoting sustainability and reducing plastic container use. Over 100,000 water bottles were distributed.
Cleanliness was a major challenge, with a special operation in the El Rocío village starting on August 14th and reinforced street cleaning services in Almonte. Approximately 200,000 kilograms of waste were collected between the route and the urban center, with special mention to the work of the company Azsuma.
Security was ensured by the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI). Over 70 Civil Protection volunteers provided uninterrupted service on August 19th and 20th, complemented by a police deployment of over 300 services, highlighting the work of the Local Police in traffic regulation and access control.
The mobility plan facilitated the arrival and departure of hundreds of thousands of people, with nearly 90% occupancy in the designated parking areas and the mobilization of 419 buses for public transport.
The mayor thanked everyone who contributed to the success of this historic Venida and urged citizens to help maintain the municipality's cleanliness. He especially recognized the responsibility of Azsuma workers for postponing their strike. The 2026 Venida will be remembered as a historic event showcasing Almonte's organizational capacity and the strength of a devotion that united over 1,400,000 million people.
