The Fallas (Fire Festival) of Valencia, which take place just before Spring, break the monotony of Lent, without infringing upon the period allocated for Holy Week.
Anything left by the cold winter which may be considered as bad is burnt on the impressive bonfires characterizing these celebrations. On the third Sunday of Lent Castellón
de la Plana holds its feast-day in honour of Mary Magdalene, whilst in Obejo (Córdoba) the traditional Sword Dance is performed on the fourth Sunday in March.
Once in the month of April, the famous Tauste (Zaragoza) dance can be seen in the festival held there on the 21st. On the feast-day of St Mark (25th) there are outdoor festivals where
blessings are bestowed upon fields and also upon cakes and buns, which are duly shared out. On the last Sunday of the month one of the most popular outdoor festivals in the whole of Andalusia
is held; that of La Virgen de la Cabeza in Andújar (Jaén). At a further festival in honour of the Virgin Mary in Puebla de Guzmán (Huelva), the women
usually come in a traditional French style costume. The Seville Fair also takes place in this month, normally two weeks after Easter, although it may be brought forward to avoid
its falling in May. Further Fairs, not only in this province, will follow this.
On the last Friday in April a traditional pilgrimage from Les Useres (Castellón) to the shrine of St John of Peñagolosa takes place. This is one of the most impressive
penitent ceremonies still held in Spain. The pilgrims return to Les Useres the following day.