Traditions

Herrera celebrates a traditional mass in the Consolación Shrine where the children baptized the previous year are “passed through the virgin’s robe”.

Starting from Consolación Pass all the way to the shrine, a rosary is prayed. Once the participants reach their destination, they eat typical confections from the area. On The Day of the Crosses, the 3rd of May, crosses donned with images and flowers dot the streets of the municipality. In the evening, the “One Thousand Jesus” prayers are said, followed by the eating of homemade chocolate sponge cake.

Prior to Santa Lucía, bonfires are lit in the streets of Herrera and Peloche, while the locals sing carols and enjoy traditional sweets, aniseed liquor and “migas” (pan-roasted bread crumbs). Another tradition is to burn corks on the ends of sticks (the “tiznero”), which kids use to blacken their faces with soot.

Once the cold arrives, it is time for the traditional slaughter of livestock. The meat and cold cuts will guarantee a steady food supply for the rest of the year.