Rogative from Culla to Sant Joan de Penyagolosa

Every Friday and Saturday during the week of Corpus Christi, Culla fulfills the tradition of its ancestors. The residents of this town in l'Alt Maestrat walk along the path that separates it from Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, to return the next day in what is known as Rogativa de Culla a Sant Joan de Penyagolosa.

The oldest surviving documents about this participatory prayer date back to 1404, which is why it is considered one of the oldest in the province of Castellón, and has preserved its rituals 'intact' thanks to popular fervour. This, together with the high ethnological, historical and cultural value it possesses, was decisive for the Plenary of the Council to approve its declaration as an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest in April; together with Els Pelegrins de Les Useres. It is also part of the 'Camins del Penyagolosa' project, promoted by the Provincial Council, so that Unesco recognises the pilgrimage routes in the interior of Castellón as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The purpose of this type of prayer of medieval origin was always to implore rains that would provide good harvests; as well as God's grace, health and peace, as mentioned in the traditional chant of 'O Vére Déus' with its request for 'salutem, pacem et pluviam de coelis'.

On Saturday, the pilgrims will resume the path of the previous day. As the sun goes down, you will arrive at your home, where the procession of Els Pendons, medieval banners of considerable height, and a crowd of people will give you a warm welcome in the historic centre of the town, also declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2004.