Day of Light

It has been celebrated since the 13th century when, legend has it, the Virgin of Light interceded to help the army of Alfonso IX in the battle against the Moorish forces. Since then, every Easter Monday the locals celebrate the feast of the Virgin of Light, who would later become the town's patron saint.
 
This is a religious feast, fervently celebrated by locals and visitors alike, which begins early on Easter Monday morning with a solemn procession from the parish church of the Assumption to San Sebastián square. The Virgin is accompanied on the procession to her chapel by floats and horse riders.
 
The high point of the fiesta and the one that arouses the greatest interest and emotion among those present are the famous horse races that take place as of 12 noon, between San Sebastián square and Corredera street. Individual or pairs of riders take part in these races, which are run at great speed among the thousands of enthusiastic spectators to the event. Gasps of amazement fill the air at the skill of the brightly clad jockeys and their spirited mounts. A real spectacle, which saw it declared a Festivity of Tourist Interest in Extremadura in 1997.
 
After the races, at about two o' clock in the afternoon, the patroness's return procession strikes out from San Sebastián square back to the parish church of the Assumption. An image that will be accompanied by the horses and riders that have been taking part in the Day of Light races.