Without a doubt, La Folía is one of the most magical celebrations in northern Spain. A celebration in which popular tradition is intermingled with religious devotion, the intimate with the multitudinous, the spiritual with the seafaring.
All this surrounded by an environment that will captivate you from the first moment: the estuary, the horizon of the Bay of Biscay and, if the day is clear, even the Picos de Europa mountains as a backdrop.
The religious acts of La Folía in San Vicente de la Barquera
During the festival of La Folía, an authentic spiritual itinerary is organized that structures the entire celebration and where Our Lady of La Barquera, patron saint of sailors, is the undisputed protagonist.
The presence of Our Lady marks every moment of the festival. From her transfer to her final embarkation for the procession. The tour featuring the statue begins and ends at the Sanctuary of La Barquera, located at the entrance to the port, a beautiful fifteenth-century building known as “La Capilla.”
Holy Saturday: Solemn Procession and Spiritual Preparation
The beginning of La Folía takes place on Holy Saturday, in the middle of Easter, one day before the Resurrection, giving way to everything that is to come during the festival, which is celebrated one or two weeks later according to the calendar of the tides.
It is a solemn day in which Our Lady is taken from her sanctuary to the Chapel of Las Hijas de Cristo Rey, in the Procession of the Torches, where the statue is accompanied by the neighbours in quiet reflection. The image of Our Lady dressed in a mourning mantle, a detail that symbolizes both pain and hope.
La Folia Sunday: the maritime procession and the culminating moment
La Folia Sunday is the big day. Towards mid-afternoon, the young “picayos” carry the statue to the port, followed in procession by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of La Barquera, the Fishermen’s Guild, civil and religious authorities and the people, where its embarkation is prepared. Without a doubt, one of the festival’s most impressive moments.
The statue is placed on the pier, surrounded by decorated boats, flags and flowers. Afterwards, the sailors put it on a decorated fishing boat, and that is when the maritime procession begins, accompanied by dozens of boats.
It is impossible not to be moved to see how the cortege advances along the estuary while firecrackers, sirens and songs sound forth.
The “picayas,” the music and the traditional spirit of La Folía
One of the most unique elements of La Folia are the “picayas.” Their presence provides a beautiful contrast with the solemnity of the religious act. Young women dressed in navy blue and white who accompany the tour with blue and white tambourines, the official colours of the festival and of San Vicente.
The “picayas” sing throughout the route, both on land and on boarding. Their lyrics are full of references to Our Lady and the sea, creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere that reaches its culmination in the Avenida de los Soportales.
Religious, nature and cultural tourism
The festival also offers the opportunity to discover the town’s seafaring architecture; tour the Old Town; savour traditional dishes such as Sorropotún; and enjoy beautiful landscapes, from the surroundings Oyambre Nature Park to the valleys of the Saja Nansa region.
San Vicente de la Barquera: the perfect setting to experience seafaring devotion
In short, San Vicente de la Barquera is one of the most emblematic towns in northern Spain. Its location, between the sea and the mountains, gives it a unique character within the infinite Bay of Biscay.
In fact, the setting itself contributes to the excitement of the event. The port, the estuary, the historic centre and the open horizon invite you to enjoy the festival in an authentic and emotional way.
Stroll through its streets, share the excitement of the procession or simply let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere… It’s all part of an experience that, without a doubt, deserves to be lived at least once in a lifetime. And why not this year?