The Mini Race

The Mini Race Fiesta in Villanueva de la Serena has been celebrated since the 18th century, a fact which has seen it declared a Festivity of Tourist Interest in Extremadura.

This fiesta is lived with great passion and emotion every Holy Week, specifically every Easter Sunday. Its name comes from the race that is run by the Virgin of the Aurora image bearers to the meeting with the image of the Resurrected Christ. A race that takes about three minutes and which represents the joy of the Christians on hearing the news of the Christ's resurrection.

Thousands come every year to the fiesta, which takes place in a central corridor formed by those who turn up in the town's Plaza de España every year, where as of early morning people gather together to get the best spot from which to watch the race and enjoy the spectacle.

The peeling bells of the parish church signals the start of the race, while its end is hailed by applauses, joy, happiness and the flower petals thrown at the images. After the race, all those present walk in procession to the main door of the Church of the Assumption accompanied by a thunderous, string of fireworks.