Cruces de Mayo - Festival of the May Crosses
The Festival of the May Crosses (Cruces de Mayo) is celebrated
throughout Andalucia though it is in Cordoba
and Granada where the most impressive displays are on
show. If you have to choose one, go to Cordoba.
The festival consists of the construction of large crosses made of
beautiful flowers in many of the city's main squares.
In the true spirit of Spanish fiestas a temporary bar is built in the
same square as the cross. This is where the locals congregate each evening for a
good few drinks and tapas which inevitably leads to spontaneous
flamenco style dancing into the early hours.
The celebration takes place during the first few days of May with the
first weekend tending to be the busiest when visitors from all over Spain
arrive to join in the party. The actual crosses which are around three metres
high are made by the people of the neighbourhood and the local town
council runs a competition to find the best cross (Concurso de los Cruces
de Mayo). In Cordoba alone there are some eighty crosses to choose from.
In Cordoba some of the best neighbourhoods to head for are San Basilio, Santa
Marina and San Augustin whilst in Granada it's the Albaicín and the 'barrio' of
El Realejo where the best crosses and most merriment is to be found.
The temporary bars generate a good income during these few days which
is used by local brotherhoods (cofradías) and community groups to finance
various local festivals including Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the
Cordoba Fair (Feria de Cordoba). Being such a good cause we obviously try
to help them as best we can!
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