Corpus Christi - Fiesta de la Coca
Redondela (Santiago)36800 RedondelaPontevedra
Culture and tradition, religion and paganism, dance and procession, the Virgin of A Gabacha and the mythological animal of Coca... they all take part in the unique and emblematic Corpus Christi of Redondela. According to the legend it has been celebrated since Corpus Christi Day of 1482, when a mythological beast known as the Coca, which lived in the waters of San Simón, appeared during the procession. The creature used to attack and devour young girls without anyone being able to stop it, but this time a group of the bravest men in town decided to face the dragon and succeeded. The town celebrated its death with a procession where the young girls danced while carrying other girls on their shoulders, thus creating the Penla dance. Together with the Sword Dance, it began to be performed every year during the most important event of the town, the Corpus Christi. It was declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in 2001.
Services
- Information point: Sí
Activities
- Actividad: para familias, para niños
Features
Origin and history Legend says a dragon lived near Redondela centuries ago, and sometimes it ventured into the town to take a girl back to its cave. One day the young sailors of the town decided to face the beast, and after arduous fighting they emerged victorious. They freed the girls and brought the body back to the town. Then they grabbed each other’s swords and began to dance around the dragon. This is how the Sword Dance started, while the girls dressed up as angels and thanked the town for rescuing them, which eventually became the Penla Dance. Itineraries and main events during its celebration A highlighted event of the festival is the viewing of traditional floral carpets created the nights before Thursday and Sunday. They adorn the centre and the old town of Redondela, and are destroyed during the procession of the Virgin of A Gabacha and the dances. The most important activities, however, are the Sword Dance and the Penla Dance, which are performed on Thursday and Sunday morning after the procession that takes place on the streets.- Descripción del entorno: Urban
- Responsible body: Council of Redondela
- Declaration of tourist interest: Galician
Date of event
- Date of: 01/06/2019
- To: 02/06/2019
Access
- Accesos a pie: Sí
- ¿Existe transporte público para acceder al recurso?: Sí
- Accesos para vehículos privados: Sí
- Las infraestructuras del recurso están adaptadas para personas con discapacidad: Sí