A tradition dating back to the 6th century
Palencia, Apr 16 (EFE).- Thousands of people from Palencia have been “stoned” this Sunday at the feet of the Cristo del Otero with 7,000 bags of bread and cheese, renewing a tradition that dates back to the 6th century and which has been declared a Fiesta of Regional Tourist Interest.
On a spring day, this April 16, -coinciding with the day of Santo Toribio and the opening of the Gate of Forgiveness of the sanctuary of Santo Toribio, in the valley of Liébana, with which the new Lebaniego Jubilee Holy Year begins- Thousands of people have gathered on the Cerro del Otero ready to be “stoned” in one of the most deeply rooted festivals in Palencia.
The tallest Christ in Spain, with more than 21 meters
At one in the afternoon, from its more than 21 meters high, the tallest Christ in Spain has contemplated another year, unalterable and impassive, how the crowd renewed a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and that travels in the time until the year 447, when Santo Toribio de Astorga visited Palencia to preach against the Priscillian doctrines and was stoned by the neighbors.
A “crowd party that has a lot of roots in the city and that gets bigger every year”, said the mayor of Palencia, Mario Simón, who has pointed out the work that is being developed by the Palencia City Council to ensure that the festival of Santo Toribio is declared of National Tourist Interest.
“We have to continue defending and betting on what makes us unique”, Simón continued in statements to journalists, who together with the Councilor for Tourism, Culture and Festivals, Laura Lombraña, have been the first to start launching the 7,000 bags of bread and cheese from the balcony of the hermitage of Santo Toribio, located at the foot of the enormous sculpture.
A typical and emblematic party
“It is a typical and emblematic festival for Palencia and one of the most beloved by the people of Palencia and by many visitors who want to discover this tradition,” added Lombraña, who has hoped that the declaration of National Tourist Interest will prosper so that this festival get “the boost you deserve”.
The rest of the municipal corporation and other authorities such as the sub-delegate of the Government, Ángel Miguel, the delegate of the Board, José Antonio Rubio or the deputy Milagros Marcos, as well as some residents of the neighborhood, have continued with the stoning.
here, here, throw here
The crowd, huddled on the hill with their arms raised, has not stopped shouting “here, here, shoot here” and “long live Santo Toribio” while some were fattening jackets and sweatshirts with bags of bread and cheese.
Each bag, with the legend of Santo Toribio printed, collects the story that gives rise to this festival and that every year reminds the people of Palencia how Saint Toribio, Bishop of Astorga, arrived in Pallantia in the 6th century to fight heresy and was stoned. by the locals.
The rains were interpreted as a divine punishment
The people of Palencia stoned the saint, who had to take refuge in the cave that is now the hermitage, because they did not want to renounce the doctrines of Prisciliano, which caused torrential rains that flooded the city.
These rains were interpreted by the inhabitants of the city as a divine punishment, for which the people of Palencia climbed the Cerro del Otero to ask Santo Toribio for forgiveness.
Thousands of people from Palencia have remembered these events today, in a popular and festive tone, with the launching of thousands of bags of bread and cheese in the central act of the Barrio del Cristo festivities, one of the most emblematic in the city. Almudena Alvarez