Los Escobazos

The traditional Escobazos Festival of Jarandilla de la Vera (Cáceres) is held every 7 December in honour of the Immaculate Conception. Every year, thousands of visitors are welcomed with blazing broom torches and treated to the traditional “pitarra” wine made by the people of Jarandilla.

The festival, rooted in pastoral traditions, celebrates the goatherds who would come down from the mountains guided only by the glow of torches of lit broom, a shrub that grows prolifically in this mountainous region. It is said that they greeted each other with lit broom torches as a sign of joy at seeing their family and friends. This tradition has continued to the present day and is commemorated every 7 December.Locals and visitors alike wait for dusk to flood the town's streets with light and fire while awaiting the arrival of the procession of the Immaculate Conception. A steward carries a banner with the image of the Virgin, accompanied by local people on foot and on horseback carrying burning broom torches that light up the procession route. As they pass by, large bonfires are lit and, around the fire, families and friends enjoy the celebration accompanied by treats of wine and typical local products. The celebration lasts all night and culminates with the end of the procession.