La Folía is one of the most anticipated festivals of the whole year in San Vicente de la Barquera, but also a way of understanding life. A celebration in which
The Folía is one of the most emblematic celebrations in northern Spain, a seafaring rite that every second Sunday after Easter transforms San Vicente de la Barquera, in Cantabria, into a setting of collective faith and emotion.
With roots that date back to the Middle Ages, our festival honours Our Lady of La Barquera, the patron saint and protector of sailors, whose presence has been part of our town’s daily life for centuries. The sound of traditional songs accompanied by the sound of tambourines, the colourful banners and the fervour of residents and visitors make our Folía a unique event where devotion, the sea and centuries-old traditions are vibrantly intertwined.
Tradition
A medieval origin that gave rise to the grand festival of the Cantabrian Sea
The origins of La Folía date back to a medieval legend that relates how a boat without a crew arrived on the shores of San Vicente bearing the image of Our Lady, giving rise to the construction of the Sanctuary of La Barquera. Several centuries later, devotion to the Lady is as fervent as ever, and is manifested every year in one of the country’s most emblematic and renowned maritime celebrations.
Our festival features centuries-old traditions, such as the boat procession, Our Lady being carried by the “picayos,” the band of bugles that accompanies them, or the songs intoned by the “picayas” and their tambourines in honour of La Barquera.
Join us and experience for yourself the emotion, history and tradition of La Folía.
A unique experience that you can't miss!
A unique experience that you can't miss!
Programme
La Folía is much more than a procession: discover this Festival of Tourist Interest in Cantabria and enjoy in style an event that combines spirituality and an extensive programme of leisure activities.
Where is it held?
Everything you need to know so you don't miss La Folía:
- Coordinates: 43.381466787983946, -4.398118441457209
- By car: The best way to get to San Vicente de la Barquera is via the Cantabrian Dual Carriageway (A-8), taking exit 264.
- By plane: The nearest airport is Santander’s Seve Ballesteros Airport, about 40 minutes (60 km) from the town.
- By train: San Vicente has a train station in La Acebosa, so it is possible to reach our town with Renfe’s FEVE service.
- By bus: You can travel to the municipality by bus with ALSA, La Cantábrica and Jiménez Movilidad.
Contact
Do you have any questions? Write to us and we will be happy to tell you more about our festival.
Latest news
Find out all the news about our festival, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Cantabria.
Are you thinking of spending a few days in San Vicente de la Barquera to enjoy the festival of La Folía? La Folía is an experience that mixes devotion and
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latest news
Find out all the news about our festival, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Cantabria.
La Folía is one of the most anticipated festivals of the whole year in San Vicente de la Barquera, but also a way of understanding life. A celebration in which
Are you thinking of spending a few days in San Vicente de la Barquera to enjoy the festival of La Folía? La Folía is an experience that mixes devotion and
The current query has no posts. Please make sure you have published items matching your query.
The current query has no posts. Please make sure you have published items matching your query.
The current query has no posts. Please make sure you have published items matching your query.