Los Caballos del Vino – The Wine Horses

Los Caballos del Vino – The Wine Horses – is a vibrant and culturally rich festival celebrated from May 1st to 3rd each year in Caravaca de la Cruz, Spain. This unique event is part of the festivities in honor of the Santísima y Vera Cruz de Caravaca. The festival features a series of equestrian events where the horse is the central figure, including the enjaezamiento, where horses are adorned with beautifully embroidered silk and gold cloaks.

These stunning pieces are showcased in various parades through the streets, culminating in a thrilling race against time up the hill to the castle. The race and the exquisite embroidery of the cloaks are judged, with awards for both. Knowledge and skills related to horse care, breeding, harnessing, and handling are passed down within families and groups, ensuring the tradition’s continuity.

The festival is a celebration of wine-growing and horse-breeding, crucial to the area’s economy and culture, fostering values like comradeship and solidarity among participants.

The festival Los Caballos del Vino is a triple competition full of strength, beauty and emotion: the bareback horse competition, where the figure and bearing of the animal will be valued; that of harnessing, which rewards the beauty and quality of the pieces and their suitability to the horse that carries it; and the race, where skill and speed face the relentless verdict of the stopwatch.

The Los Caballos del Vino festival’s origins are steeped in legend, tracing back to a siege of the Caravaca Castle by Muslim troops. The legend tells of a daring mission to fetch wine for the besieged inhabitants, leading to the tradition of racing horses up to the castle. Over the centuries, this has evolved into a contest of strength, beauty, and emotion, consisting of several competitions, including the judging of the horses’ morphology, the enjaezamiento, and the race itself. The horses’ enjaezamiento, involving elaborate silk, gemstone, and precious metal embroidery custom-made for each horse, is a standout feature of the celebration.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official website of the festival Los Caballos del Vino.

How to get to the Fiesta de Los Caballos del Vino?

Getting to Caravaca de la Cruz can be managed through various routes depending on your starting point:

From Alicante–Elche Airport
You can drive to Caravaca de la Cruz, which is about 142 km away, taking approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus with a change in Murcia, with the entire journey taking around 3 hours.

From Valencia
The bus service operated by ALSA takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes to reach Caravaca de la Cruz, departing once daily from Valencia station. If you prefer to drive the journey will take you take about 3 hours

From Murcia
Interbus offers a bus service from Murcia to Caravaca de la Cruz twice a week, with a travel time of around 1 hour and 10 minutes. The driving option is faster, taking about 48 minutes over a distance of 77 km.

These travel options for the event Los Caballos del Vino offer flexibility whether you prefer direct travel, wish to enjoy scenic routes, or need to plan around specific dates. For bus tickets and schedules, checking the respective transport services’ websites, such as ALSA, Interbus, or platforms like Omio, is recommended for the most current information.

Where to stay for Los Caballos del Vino?

Caravaca de la Cruz offers a variety of accommodations for Los Caballos del Vino to suit different preferences and budgets. Here are a few options you might consider:

Hotel Hospedería Rural Almunia: This hotel is highly rated for its exceptional service and location in Caravaca de la Cruz. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a comfortable and memorable stay.

Apartamento Completo Lonja Centro Caravaca de la Cruz: For those preferring more independence, this apartment offers free WiFi and a balcony, providing a good, clean, and well-equipped stay.

Apartamentos Aixa Caravaca de la Cruz: Located centrally, these apartments are just a short walk from the Vera Cruz Basilica, offering convenience and comfort for visitors.

Hotel Malena: Popular among guests, this hotel has received excellent reviews for its services and is considered a great place to stay while exploring Caravaca de la Cruz.

Nuestra Señora del Carmen: Offering a unique experience, this hotel is appreciated for its historical ambiance combined with modern amenities. It’s ideal for those looking to stay somewhere full of character.