Águilas Carnival, Spain
Madrid Carnival, Spain
Aviles Carnival, Spain
Content of this article
What is the Carnival of Águilas?
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The carnival of Águilas is one of the most representative carnivals of Murcia, as well as one of the most famous in Spain. The city is always full of shows and performances during the carnival season. Likewise, the city has a stage where people can compete and win prizes in the different categories.
Some of the peculiarities that this carnival has is that it has three large parades, each one distributed during the weeks of festivities. In addition, it can be divided into 2 types of celebrations. The first, is the daytime carnival, when the parades of the carnival groups that dress in ostentatious and bright costumes take place, crossing the city and culminating at the statue of Icarus. The other type is the carnival that is celebrated during the night, especially on Carnival Monday when the city becomes one big stage full of music, costumes and festivities.
We accompany you to know everything you need to know about the Carnival Águilas in Spain..
The carnivals of Águila is one of the most emblematic of the country. The troupes wear colorful costumes and go through the main streets of the city
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When is the Carnival of Águilas?
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Carnival-related celebrations begin in early or late January, however, the carnival officially begins on the Friday before Shrove Monday with the reading of the proclamation.
History of the Carnivals of Águilas
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The records of the carnivals in Águilas date back to the nineteenth century, counting with images from the year 1903. Likewise, other sources date back to the 18th century, when King Charles III celebrated in his Court of Madrid.
The carnivals of Águilas were celebrated in different ways, one of the most common was the practice of filling eggshells with papers and throwing them at the heads of neighbors and friends. Another of the traditions was theburning of the dolls which was preserved until the mid-twentieth century with the Burning of Judas and today with theBurning of Don Carnal.
Like many cities in Europe and Spain, carnivals were banned due to the Civil War, dictatorships or even bans due to disagreements with public bodies. However, small festivals were held that kept the traditions alive.
Today, the Carnival of Águilas has elements that date back to the carnivals of yesteryear. However, as is natural, it includes traditions that have been adapted and transformed to the way of life of today.
Where is the Carnival of Águilas?
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The Águilas carnivals are held in the municipality of Águilas, region of Murcia, Spain. Also, the different events and activities of the carnivals are held in different parts of the city, one of them is the Plaza España.
The troupes of the different groups wear thematic costumes and parade through the main streets during the carnival of Águilas
How is the Carnival of Águilas celebrated?
The carnivals in Águilas have a long list of celebrations. Starting with the galas ceremonies where the changes of powers of carnival characters, celebrations and live music performances, contests and school parades take place.
Characters
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The carnivals of Águilas are recognized for having 4 characters representative of the festivities. These characters are selected a few months before the start of thecarnival seasons. These characters are:
The Muse
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This character represents the essence of the carnivals, the humor and the arrival of the celebrations. She is also called the Queen of Carnival.
Doña Cuaresma
Doña Cuaresma is a character that represents the antithesis of La Musa. She represents seriousness and recato. During the festivities, Doña Cuaresma and Don Carnal have theatrical battles that determine the beginning and end of the festivities.
Don Carnal
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He is a character who represents the reincarnation of God Janus, Greek god. He triumphs against Doña Cuaresma in one of the first theatrical battles that kicks off the carnival. At the end of the celebrations Don Carnal is defeated by Doña Cuaresma and as a result, a doll of Don Carnal is burned in a Hoguera, bringing the carnival festivities to an end.
La Mussona
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This character is one of the most emblematic, as it represents the carnivals of yesteryear of the city. Its figure is half animal and half human, representing the civilized and uncivilized. Also, the “Suelta de la Mussona” ceremony takes place in which the Mussona of the previous year is released from one of the dungeons of the Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas and her powers are transferred to the new Mussona..
In addition to all of the above, there are also the 3 big parades, the carnival of the night, the contest of comparsas and finally, the burning of Don Carnal with fireworks. After this, the national Chirigotas contest, the national Drag Queen contest and the awards ceremony are held.
Tips to go to the Carnival of Águilas
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If you decide to attend the Águilas carnivals, we recommend that you plan your travel in advance, make atravel itinerary and reserve your accommodation, since during the dates the city presents a large number of visitors, so accommodation can become somewhat scarce.
If you want to know more about tourism in this country, I recommend this guide:
Events in Carnival of Águilas
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Carnivals begin with a series of celebrations before the most emblematic events of the festivities.
The celebrations begin with the great gala of change of powers of the characters of the previous year with those of the current year. Also, this same week different events take place such as musical presentations, costume and make-up contests, book contests, drawing contests and school essay contests, among others.
After this, the ceremony called “Suelta de la Mussona” takes place, whose celebration is held in the castillo de Águilas. During that week the battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma is also celebrated. Uonce the battle is over, Don Carnal, Doña Cuaresma and La Musa perform a small pregón, followed by the official pregón of the festivities.
On Sunday takes place the first main parade, which starts at Avenida Juan Carlos I and ends at Plaza España. Participating in the parade are groupings, dance schools and carrozas. Then, the Carnival of the Night takes place on Monday of Carnival, one of the most awaited days when hundreds of people show up with great costumes, dances are performed and people congregate to hang out. OnMardi Gras the second Grand Parade, followed by the performance of the Murga and the comparsas contest.
Finally, on Saturday the third Grand Parade takes place, along with the Burning of Don Carnal and the fireworks show representing the victory of Doña Cuaresma. Then takes place the awards ceremony, the Drag Queen contests and the Certamen de Chirigotas.
Don Carnal y Doña Cuaresma realizan la tradicional batalla que da inicio a los carnavales en Águilas
Aguilas Carnival Parades
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During the carnivals, 3 large parades are held that travel along the same route. During this celebration, the streets of Águilas are filled with dresses of all colors and sizes, music, comparsas, dances and carrozas. It is these days that the city lives its climax during the carnivals and it is the commitment of the citizens during the festivities that has made the festivities in Águilas one of the most recognized cities in terms of carnivals in the country.
Parade route
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The parades start the route from Avenida Juan Carlos I to Coronel Pareja street
The route of the floats follows the same route, each of them leaves from the intersection of Calle Caridad with Avenida Juan Carlos I, then down to Calle Rey Carlos III and turn towards the Plaza de España until reaching Coronel Pareja street, thus ending the route of the parades.
Buñuelos de Águilas son donas fritas sprinkled with sugar
What to eat at the Carnival of Águilas
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One of the traditional foods during Carnival in Águila are Buñuelos de Águilas, flour doughnuts fried in oil and then sprinkled with powdered sugar. In addition, it is also common to drink cuerva, a drink similar to sangria, consisting of wine and lemon.
Likewise, the city offers you some places like El Pimiento, Restaurante Gines Águilas and La Taberna Mediática.
Cuerva es vino con limón que se toma en las festividades en Águilas
Travel Insurance
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What to see and do inside the Águilas Carnival
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Within the carnivals you can participate in the different ceremonies that open the festivities, such as “Suelta de la Mussona” and the battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma. Also, you must participate in the night carnivals and the big parades that take place during the week. Finally, don’t forget to attend the Burning of Don Carnal and finally the fireworks show.
What to see and do outside the Águilas Carnivals
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The city of Águilas offers you some tourist attractions such as:
Castillo de San Juan
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It is a military structure that was built in XVIII and counts as an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1982.It began functioning as a watchtower during the years of 1579 and was rebuilt and restored.
Cuatro Calas
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It is a protected landscape, considered a Site of Community Interest. The erosion of the sea and the wind have allowed the town to have a unique landscape of natural beauty.
Plaza de España
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It is the main square of the town where a large number of public events are held. It is surrounded by trees and is located adjacent to the town hall.
Safety in the Carnival of Águilas
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The city of Aguilas is a quiet city both during the day and at night. However, keep your belongings in a safe place, especially if you are attending events with a large crowd. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:
Weather at the Carnival of Águilas
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The weather in the city during carnivals is somewhat dry and the temperature ranges between 7 and 15 degrees Celsius.
During the 3 main parades of the Águilas carnival, the comparsas perform choreographies in the main streets
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How to get to the Águilas Carnival
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How to get there by plane
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The closest airport to Águilas is the Region of Murcia International Airport, which receives a large number of planes from different cities in Europe. You can also take a plane from other cities in the country such as Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Palma de Mallorca.
How to get there by train
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From the airport you can take a bus to Murcia, to Floridablanca street via tracks 26 and 28. Once there, transfer at Murcia del Carmen Station and take a train on line C2 to Aguilas.
You can also take the train from Puerta de Atocha in Madrid using the ALV line, arrive at Murcia Del Carmen and take another train on line C2 to Aguilas.
How to get there by bus
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From Murcia airport take a bus to Mazarrón, transfer in Mazarrón take line VAC-228 to Águilas.
If you want to take the bus from Madrid, you can go to Madrid South Station which will take you to Aguilas in 6 hours and 45 minutes.
How to get there by car
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From Murcia airport, take the AP-7 until you reach Águilas.
From Madrid you can take the A-3 and A-30 until you reach Águilas.
Where to stay at the Águilas Carnival
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Hotel Carlos III
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3-star hotel 750 meters from the city center. Rooms have TV, heating and private bathroom with toiletries. Facilities include bar and free internet.
Hotel Puerto Juan Montiel Spa & Base Nautica
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4 star hotel 2.2 km from the city center. Rooms have satellite TV and private bathroom. Facilities offer 2 swimming pool, parking, spa, beach entrance, free internet and bar.
El paso
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3-star hotel 450 meters from the city center. Rooms have simple decor, balcony and private bathroom. The hotel has free internet and a bar.
We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:
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