FESTA DO CORPUS CHRISTI DE REDONDELA, COS EVENTOS CELEBRATIVOS DA COCA, AS PENLAS E A DANZA DAS ESPADAS

Tourist Interest
2062
On the Way of St. James
Dates of celebration: 30/05 - 06/06

Location

Redondela - Pontevedra

Coordinates:
42º 16' 54.9" N - 8º 36' 33.0" W

Description

For five days, coinciding with Corpus Christi (big day), the Festas da Coca de Redondela take place. Legend has it that near Redondela lived a dragon that from time to time approached the village, kidnapped a girl, and took her to his cave. One day, the young sailors decided to face the monster and fought until they defeated it and freed the captives. Then, with the aim of celebrating the victory, they danced with their swords around him.
To remember this legend, on the day of Corpus Christi, in the procession through the streets decorated with floral carpets created the night before by the neighbors, the figure of Coca participates, accompanied by the dancers of the Swords and the Penlas.
The Praza do Concello then hosts the exhibitions of the Danza das Espadas and the Baile das Penlas. The first one dates back to at least the 16th century and is the staging of the victory over the dragon. As Penlas, dressed in white costumes, form a single choreographic ensemble with the dancers of the Swords and swing around them. Adult women carry little girls on their shoulders, also in white and with angels' wings, and with their dance, they represent the joy of mothers for the death of the monster and the liberation of their daughters.
Exhibitions, live shows, and performances where the legend of Coca is recreated and night festivals make up an wide festive schedule.

Not to be missed:
Danza das Espadas and Baile das Penlas

The Ways of St. James

Portiguese Route
Portiguese Route by coast

Further features

Religious
Festivities Tourist Interest Galician Festivals of Tourist Interest
Arriba
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