From typicallyspanish.com
El Rocio pilgrimage reaches its climax
By h.b.
May 12, 2008 - 7:06 AM
The Virgen del Rocio was lifted over the railing of the hermitage church in Ayamonte at 2,32am this morning, marking the start of the procession of the ‘paloma blanca’ through the hamlet.
It’s the climax to the largest romeria pilgrimage in Spain which this year attracted 79 brotherhoods making their way, from various parts of Andalucía and Spain. Over a million people are crammed into the small Huelva hamlet today eager for a glimpse of the Virgen.
The long way home will start for many at noon today, with the local Ayamonte brotherhood being the last to complete their return next Friday.