La Endiablada 2025 in Spain

La Endiablada, or "The Brotherhood of the Devils," is a captivating tradition that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who witnesses it. This remarkable celebration features a vibrant mix of dancing, vivid colors, eccentric costumes, and an explosion of sound involving the entire community. Steeped in history, this unique tradition has endured for centuries and continues to be celebrated annually in the town of Almonacid del Marquesado.

Festival Highlights

The fest is meant to honor both the Virgin Mary as well as the town's patron saint, San Blas. During the night, the "diablos" of Almonacid del Marquesado come together and keep to the centuries-old tradition. They go through the city streets singing and dancing. After two days, you will also see how "danzantas" dance around the village, the traditional "paloteos".

Diablos & Danzantas

At the Almonacid del Marquesado festival, the two principal groups create a fascinating contrast while complementing each other in unique ways. The "diablos" don vibrant, eccentric costumes, make noise with cowbells, and move chaotically without rhythm. In contrast, the "danzantas" wear elegant, meticulously maintained attire, recite verses, and perform rehearsed dances with rhythmic precision to the music of a flageolet and drum. The wild leaps and erratic movements of the "diablos" beautifully juxtapose the graceful choreography of the "danzantas," creating a celebration that balances chaos and order, the extraordinary and the harmonious, the divine and the human.

Location

The festival is held on February 2-3 in Almonacid del Marquesado, a small village in the Mancha Alta region of Cuenca, within the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha. Situated 115 km (71 mi) from Madrid, 85 km (52 mi) from the provincial capital, and just 14 km (9 mi) from the A3 highway, the village spans an area of 47.3 square kilometers.