The Santa Cruz , Holy Cross Feast
The village of Feria celebrates Springtime with an ancient custom. Thousands of flowers embellish this medieval village during the 2nd and 3rd of May.

The Holy Cross is one of the most ancestral traditions in Extramudra and Spain. On Medieval ages the neighbours celebrated the aristocrat's birthday who lived in Feria, as well as the custom of preparing flower crosses in the month of May. These two feasts joined into what we know nowadays.

Days before the great day inhabitants beging to work on the crosses. Women and children, who are called coritos, work hard to create the best cross. It is a meticulous process which combines imagination and skill, these aspects are shown on the beautiful crosses.

On May 2nd and 3rd the neighbours move their crosses to parish church. There everybody have the chance to contemplate the charming crosses.

This feast is emphasized by two ceremonies: The search of the 'Lignum Crucis' by Santa Elena, Emperor Constantine's mother. Here almost one hundred of sacred, historic and popular songs are dedicated to organizing comittee and the participants.

On May 3rd morning there is parade embellished by all the crosses. The neighbours walk through the narrow and outstanding streets and alleys of the town. From Saint Bartolomé Church each brotherhood carries its cross while women sing songs about the cross and the celebration.

The Holy Cross of Feria is one of the oldest celebrations in Spain. This event was held in most places but as time passed the celebration was lost in most of them. However,here in Feria the Holy Cross differentiates from the other places in the place where it is held. The white houses and its steep streets of Feria make this place unique to celebrate this feast.

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