The strange Spanish traditions on the day of San Antón

The strange Spanish traditions on the day of San Antón
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By h.b. - Jan 18, 2009 - 2:10 PM

The Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, takes his dog to be blessed at the Madrid church of San Antón - Photo EFE

The Patron Saint of Animals sees many people queueing to bless their pets in Madrid, while in Mijas women throw stones at the genitals of the Saint.

Saturday was the Saints Day for San Antón, the patron saint of animals, and long queues appeared outside the church of the same name in Madrid as pet owners waited for their animals to be blessed.

The proud owners then parade with their animals in an event known as ‘vueltas del Santo’, in which animals from the Zoo, Guardia Civil, and both Local and National Police also take part.

The day also saw long queues of the faithful to buy three ‘saintly’ bread rolls which tradition says two of which must be eaten during the day. The last roll, is put aside with a coin for a year, a guarantee of future work and health.

A woman throws a stone at the genitals of the image of San Antón in Mijas - Archive Photo EFE

In Mijas in Málaga the date has another tradition. Single women throw stones at the genitals of the statue of San António Abad in the belief this will bring them a boyfriend or husband the following year. This year some 50 took women part in the tradition as the priest called on them to be careful not to damage the wooden altar of the hermitage with their pebble throwing.

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