For over three decades, this initiative has brought together residents from across the territory under the moonlight, heading towards the sanctuary of Álava's patron saint. This year, under the motto “Herritik bihotzera - From my village, to the heart of our land,” hundreds of people will walk from various Alavese villages to the Sanctuary of Estíbaliz.
The pilgrimage will commence on the night of Friday, May 29, and conclude on the morning of Saturday, May 30. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, the Pilgrims of the Eucharist will offer a small snack to participants before the mass scheduled for 09:30 AM. Afterwards, attendees will have lunch at the Pilgrim Welcome Center.
“"It is an opportunity to meet, maintain fraternity, and strengthen the ties of rural Álava."
The initiative originated in 1993 in Oyón, when a small group of residents decided to walk more than 58 kilometers at night, separating the Rioja-Alavese town from the hill of Estíbaliz. That first experience gathered about twenty participants and quickly spread to other municipalities in the territory.
Over the years, participation grew, reaching nearly a thousand walkers in the early 2000s, making it one of Álava's most unique rural events. Not even the pandemic halted this tradition; in 2020, while much of the population remained confined, around 30 people kept the march alive.
However, in recent years, participation has declined due to the aging rural population and the consequences of the pandemic. Therefore, the organization now seeks to relaunch this tradition. To achieve this, its promoters are visiting villages, parishes, councils, and town halls in the seven Alavese cuadrillas to mobilize as many residents as possible. Several localities have already confirmed their participation in this edition.
