San Vicente de la Sonsierra: The Picaos
La Rioja, Spain
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Los Picaos
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275
XP
+100 Spain
= 375 total
1 day
San Vicente de la Sonsierra: The Picaos
275 + 100 XP
At Easter and on a few other days, men in white robes with hoods walk in procession through San Vicente de la Sonsierra scourging their own backs with a rope discipline, and are then pricked to draw the bruising off. It is the only place in Spain where the penance is still practised, it has always been run by the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz, and it was recognised as of National Tourist Interest in 2005. Disciplinantes must be adult, male, and vouched for by a priest as a Christian acting in good faith. The village sits on a rock above the Ebro with a castle and a fortified church.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Be in the village for a procession and understand before you go what you are actually going to see
2
of 5
Find out why this survived here when public flagellation was suppressed everywhere else in Spain
3
of 5
Work out what a disciplinante has to be to take part: adult, male, and vouched for by a priest
4
of 5
Climb to the castle and the fortified church on the rock above the Ebro
5
of 5
Work out what the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz is and that it has organised this from the start
Be in the village for a procession and understand before you go what you are actually going to see
Find out why this survived here when public flagellation was suppressed everywhere else in Spain
Work out what a disciplinante has to be to take part: adult, male, and vouched for by a priest
Climb to the castle and the fortified church on the rock above the Ebro
Work out what the Cofradía de la Santa Vera Cruz is and that it has organised this from the start
Before you go
The picaos walk in procession at Easter and on a few other days of the year.
This is a real self-flagellation ritual involving blood, not a re-enactment. Photography of the picaos is restricted and they remain anonymous — respect that absolutely.
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XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
275 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
375 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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