Equuscapes

In Spain, Dia de Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) is even bigger than Christmas Day. It’s when gifts are exchanged and families come together to feast and celebrate. On the evening before, enormous parades – “Cabalgatas” fill the streets of major cities and small towns alike, floats, dancers, marching bands – anything and everything goes!. Villarrasa is one of the few towns that still includes horses, donkeys, and mules in their parade, preserving a beautiful sense of tradition. I had been searching for the right place to document this important day in the Spanish calendar, but kept coming up short until our friends at Córdoba Ecuestre told us about this very special event in the hometown of one of their riders. We spent the day documenting preparations and joined them as they visited every church in the town, meeting up with the bands and floats along the way. It was a truly remarkable experience – moving, joyful, and soulful. By the end of the day, we had walked a good 8–10 miles, constantly racing ahead to find the best vantage points – physically demanding, but worth every single step.

Villarrasa in the province of Huelva has a population of just 2,000 with very ancient agricultural routes and maintains a very rural identity.  Despite its size, the heritage is rich with Romans, Visigoths and Muslims having all left their mark.   Today, the rolling landscapes surrounding the town are rich with olives, sunflowers, vines and fruit trees.  Renowned cuisine includes a Spinach and Chickpea stew, goat dishes, and Fiesta cakes called Roscos.  The town itself is exquisite, the typical white washed walls are lined with orange trees bursting with fruit even in January. With the trunks all painted white a very charming vista is created in the narrow streets.  If you love the look of this parade, this is a town that loves a Fiesta – the Carnival takes place in February / March (20 – 21st Feb for 2026), Semana Santas at Easter as you will see across Spain, Cruces de Mayo is two weeks in May, San Isidro Labrador sees a procession and pilgrimage on the 15 May and the Festivities in honour of Our Lady of Los Remedios take place the 6th – 15th August. 

To see images from the Villarrasa Cabalgata CLICK HERE

*This collection is part of a fine art photographic journey throughout Andalucía, placing horses in all of the most iconic and breathtaking locations, while also honouring and celebrating the people, traditions, and culture of the region for a book and exhibition in 2027. Riders still needed in many locations.