Soria information
The Festival of San Juan or Madre de Dios
With the arrival of the day of San Juan the
whole city of Soria is transformed into a real hullabaloo. The
festival has been declared of touristic interest in Castilla y
León, and dates back to the 12th century. The city is divided
into twelve areas that represent the twelve districts, and each
has a jurado, in charge of making the festival arrangements.
Each day has its assigned activities and even its own name. One
of the most impressive days is Jueves de Saca, when young bulls
are brought to the capital from Monte Valonsadero, herded by people
on foot and on horseback.
Friday is Día de Toros, the day of the bulls. There are six bullfights
in the morning and six n the afternoon. The giving out of the
bull meat after the fights, for which the townspeople buy vouchers,
and the auction for the prime cuts are the events of Saturday,
Sábado Agés, when bull herding and bull-runs are also part of
the festivities.
The celebrations are under the charge of each district, in their
respective festival organisation. Each person receives their cut
of meat and complimented by other local produce including wine,
spirits and cakes.
But undoubtedly the main day of the San Juan festival is Domingo
de Calderas. First thing in the morning all the inhabitants assemble
in the Plaza Mayor to form the procession of Calderas, which leaves
for la Alameda de Cervantes at about mid morning. One by one the
city areas join the procession, many dressed in typical Sorian
costume, behind the caldera, a huge copper pot which carries the
bull meat stew, with roast chicken, chorizo and hard boiled eggs.
Once they reach the Alameda, everybody is invited to a feast of
stew, washed down with wine. The feast is called the Banquete
Franco.
Monday brings the end to the festivities with another parade,
in which each section of the city bears its personal saint. After
mass is held in the Ermita de la Soledad, each statue is returned
to its temple. The last procession, in the afternoon, follows
the road the leads to San Polo, and open-air celebrations round
the festival off until the next year's San Juan in Soria.