The Wine Horses Festival of Caravaca de la Cruz: A Historical Celebration of Christian Valor and the Legendary Siege of the 13th Century
The Wine Horses Festival (Caballos del Vino) is a vibrant and historic celebration held annually in Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, Spain. Rooted in a 13th-century legend, the festival commemorates an event during the Moorish siege of the town's castle. According to the story, Christian horsemen bravely broke through enemy lines to deliver wine to the besieged population. The wine served both as a symbol of faith and as a remedy to treat the wounded defenders.
Today, the festival is marked by an impressive display of richly embroidered harnesses adorning the horses. These majestic animals, accompanied by teams of runners, race uphill to the castle in a spirited competition. The event showcases not only the region's history but also its artistic craftsmanship, cultural pride, and communal spirit.
The Wine Horses Festival is a unique blend of tradition, pageantry, and athleticism, making it an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike.
A horse escorted by four racers is seen running during the Wine Horses festival in Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, eastern Spain, Tuesday May 2, 2006. The horses who are dressed with richly embroidered harnesses run, one by one, up the hill that reaches the castle as fast as they can in remembrance of a legend that in the 13th century, the population besieged at the castle due to the Moorish attacks, and lacking water, several Christian horsemen, warned by signals for aid from the interior of the enclosure, decided to burst in the castle surprising the Moorish guard and curing the wounded Christians with the wine. (AP Photo/Fernando Bustamante)
