Festival of the Near Death Experience, Santa Marta de Ribarteme
On the July 29th the Festival of the Near Death Experience, Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, takes place in As Neves, Pontevedra.
The pilgrimage is held for those who have had a near-death experience in the past year. These lucky folk pay their respects to Santa Marta by carrying or by being carried in a coffin into the church to hear mass. Thousands of people fill its narrow streets from 10am on the day of Santa Marta, and those who cannot get in to the packed church can listen to the service relayed over loudspeakers.
The coffins begin to arrive, carried by relatives of those who have recently escaped death, and those who are on their own they must carry their own coffins towards the small church of Santa Marta de Ribarteme. Mass begins around noon and is broadcast with loudspeakers outside of the sanctuary so the crowd outside can hear.
When the mass is complete, the church bells ring and a procession of coffins starts up the hill toward the nearby cemetery and then back to circle several times around the church. The people begin to chant 'Virgin Santa Marta, star of the North, we bring you those who saw death' as a large effigy of Santa Marta is removed from the church and carried in front of the coffins.
Santa Marta carries a salver in her right hand, which sees a constant flurry of donations to help protect those who have recently escaped death. The proceeds go towards the maintenance of her shrine.
Although the precession is taken very seriously there is still a party atmosphere in the town. You'll find street sellers offering everything from colorful statues of the Virgin and Jesus, illuminated scenes of the Last Supper to silver crosses and small plastic angels.
Typical of Spanish fiestas there is plenty of noise, food and laughter with the locals lighting fireworks everywhere.
As Neves is in Galicia in the northwest part of Spain, where mysterious pagan rites have been part of the culture since anyone can remember. The Catholic church has never been able to fully integrate their teachings here, and the Santa Marta de Ribarteme Pilgrimage is an attempt to integrate the Church's beliefs with the more primitive beliefs of the local inhabitants.
For more information call As Neves Town Hall (0034) 986 64 80 38
Where to Stay
Accommodation in the area is limited so you are best to stay in Vigo, Pontevedra or the Portuguese city of Porto and travel to As Neves, on the day. Check out some of Pontevedra's hotel accommodation or Vigo's hotel accommodation or the Portuguese city of Porto's hotel accommodation. If you are on a budget or fancy something a little cheaper why not try some of Vigo's, Pontevedra's or Porto's Hostel accommodation
Getting There
To get there you should book a flight to Santiago de Compostela or the Portuguese city of Porto
You might then consider hiring a car, booking a train ticket or book a bus ticket to get you to your final destination.