Mundaca Carnival, Spain

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What is the Carnival of Mundaca?

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Mundaca Carnival or Aratuste is a celebration that takes place every year in the town of Mundaca. This is a particular celebration, as it does not feature colorful costumes full of spangles, nor wigs, nor large floats, this celebration is held with music and rather peculiar costumes. The men dress in white and the women in black. Both go around the city strolling, playing music and singing.

The Carnivals in Mundaka are an extraordinary event that make a difference in all of Spain. Every year, the streets are flooded with hundreds of characters in black and white, each playing a particular role. These characters are known as Atorrak and Lamiak, each of which is played solely by men or women. During the carnival season, Mundaca is the epicenter of coros, music and allegria.

We accompany you to discover the Carnival of Mundaca, one of the most musical in all of Spain.

 

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When is the Carnival of Mundaca?

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Despite not having a fixed calendar as to when the celebration will take place, the festivities generally take place in the month of February.

 

 

History of the Carnivals of Mundaca

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The origins of the festivities are somewhat diffuse as they have a history that goes back a long time. However, it is said that, in ancient times, when the carnivals were called Aratustes, is recorded in a document dating from 1841 in which the mayor of the time, Eusebio Eribe, requested authorization to celebrate with masks during the days of Candelaria..

Likewise, the costumes carry with them two legends, one of them commenting that the clothing worn is due to Count Mundaka Anton Erreka. It is said that this character liked to drink, so the wife threw him out of the house when she found him too much to drink. He, escaping into the street from all the commotion, mistakenly wore his wife’s clothes. This was a much talked about event and the villagers, to commemorate the event, began to dress the same way every year. The other version of the carnival tells the story of a villager who had a mistress. When he was discovered at home, he fled the house, covering himself with sheets and pillowcases. Since then, the people of Mundaka commemorate the event by wearing white clothes during carnivals. These are amusing legends that bring some clarity to one of Mundaka’s oldest and most enigmatic festivals.

As an interesting fact, the image of Lamiak did not exist since the beginning of the festival, this was an element added 40 years ago to encourage the participation of women in the festivities, since they did not have spaces in the celebration.

 

Where is the Carnival of Mundaca?

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The carnivals of Mundaka are held in the municipality that bears its name, in the province Vizcaya, Community Autonomous Community Basque Country, Spain. One of the most important points of the celebrations is near the town hall of the town.

 

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How is the Munda Carnivalca

celebrated?
These peculiar carnivals have quite particular and unique celebrations that make them one of the most outstanding events in the whole country. The most outstanding elements of the festivities are the characters of Atorrak and Lamiak, who practically steal all the limelight of the festivities.

 

Characters

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Mundaka Carnival revolves around two particular characters: Atorrak and Lamiak.

 

Atorrak

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They are local men who are part of a group solely for carnival purposes. They are part of the group from the age of 18. However, the customs are present from a young age. These men wear two skirts, one from the neck to the waist and another from the waist to the ankles. In addition, they wear white pants, with a pillowcase covering their heads and carry a scarf colorful scarf.

 

Lamiak

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The Lamiak are the counterpart of the Atorras, are women dressed entirely in black, wear a white wig, face painted with black circles in the eyes and carry with them a colorful headscarf.

It is customary for the Atorras to go out in the morning to tour the city while singing and entertaining. The Lamias perform the same as the Atorrak; however, during the afternoon. After each parade, the characters go out to celebrate separately in order to fraternize among the members of the groups.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

The Atorras and the Lamias meet before the official celebrations to practice the songs and dances they will perform during the carnival, as every year they present a new song.

Once the carnivals begin, the Atorras take to the streets in the morning to sing and to carry out their performances, touring the different streets of the city. At the end of their performance, all the Atorras go to celebrate together somewhere behind closed doors. Likewise, once the evening arrives, the Lamias go out to walk the streets, singing, dancing and performing their presentations. They walk the streets just like the Atorras and once the tour is over, they congregate to hang out all together behind closed doors. At nightfall, everyone gathers in the plaza; Atorras, Lamias and locals to sing and party until the wee hours of the morning.

There are also some tours prepared by local children, in order to give them space and include them in the festivities and traditions.

 

Tips to go to the Carnivals of Mundaca

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If you decide to attend the carnivals, we recommend planning your trip in advance, preparing an itinerary and reserving the lodging of your choice.

 

Events in Mundaca Carnival

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Before the parades of the Atorras and the Lamias, the children perform some activities and dances in the town square.

The next day, it begins with the pasacalles or desfiles of the Atorras at 12:30 am. They walk the streets of the city in the different points of interest, perform the chants and their presentations in the port. At the end, they congregate in a place behind closed doors to celebrate and eat.

Then, the Lamias take to the streets to perform their tours at 6:00 pm, following the same modality. Once the parade is over, the Lamias congregate behind closed doors to eat and celebrate.

In the evenings, the Lamias, Atorras and locals gather in the plaza to sing and party until the wee hours of the morning.

Finally, the next day the children perform the pasacalle school parade and a series of activities and presentations, bringing the carnival festivities to an end.

 

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Mundaca Carnival Parades

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The parades occur on the same day. First, the Atorras, in their white costumes; come out at 12:30 pm to walk the streets of the city, singing and performing. Then they perform songs in the local port and gather to celebrate privately with the rest of the Atorras.

 

 

Once concluded the activities of the Atorras, the Lamias go out to make the tour dressed in their representative garments, which comprise black clothes, white wig, faces painted white with the outline of the eyes in black, wear colorful scarves on the head and with blush and red lips. They make a tour through the street, also singing, dancing and performing their presentations. At the end of all the events, the Lamias congregate in private to celebrate in private.

At the end of all the events, both groups meet in the Mundaca square to celebrate together until dawn.

 

Parade route

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The atorras leave at 12:30 from the town hall, go down to the Tala, walk through the town and arrive at the port, and then congregate in private.

Then, the lamias leave the town hall square, go to Florentino Larrinaga Street, head to Laidatxu beach and cross paths with the Atorrak, some of them accompany them in their presentations.

 

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What to eat at the Mundaca Carnival

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One of the most typical dishes of the area is the bacalao a la vizcaína, which is made up of salted cod with biscayan sauce. Also, you can try the Marmita de bonito, a fish dish served with onions, peppers, tomato and potatoes.

Some places to eat out that the city offers are: Restaurante Asador Portuondo, Almiketxu Restaurant and Bermeoko Kafe Antzokia.

 

 

Travel Insurance

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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Mundaca Carnival

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During the carnivals you can see the parades of both groups, as each of them perform different presentations, both are shows that you can not miss because they are unique presentations. Also, late at night you can congregate with both groups, along with the locals and sing and party until dawn.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside the Mundaca Carnivals

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Some of the most touristic spots in the city are:

Port of Mundaka

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It is the port and entrance of boats of the city. There are some entrances to the sea and beaches that you can enter. In addition, there are some food outlets around it.

 

Santa Catalina Chapel

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It is a church that is usually closed. The building is right next to the sea and has a gate where you can throw coins. In its surroundings there are some paths where you can hang out.

 

Portuondo Viewpoint

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It is a high point in the city where you can have a view of part of the town with the sea. Also, you can hang out there and admire the scenery.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend you to book your entrance ticket in advance through Tiquets:.

 

Safety at the Mundaca Carnival

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The town of Mundaka, as well as Basque Country are extremely safe places. In fact, it is one of the safest communities inEurope. However, we recommend that you keep your belongings in a safe place to avoid theft and loss. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:

 

 

Weather at the Carnival of Mundaca

 

The weather in Mundaka during the festivities is somewhat cold, as the temperature ranges between 5 and 14 degrees Celsius.

 

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How to get to Mundaca Carnival

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How to get there by plane

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The closest airport to Mundaka is Bilbao Airport, which receives multiple domestic and international flights. Once at the airport, you can use the different means to get to the city.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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From Bilbao airport, you can take the bus on line A3247 to Calle Arenal. Once there, transfer in Casco Viejo to Arenal using lines 56_VLT, 77_IDA or 62_IDA. Transfer again in Casco Viejo and board the E4 train to Mundaka.

In Madrid take a train at Sol on lines C4, C3 or RE to Chamartin. Then transfer at Madrid-Chamartin to Bilbao on the ALV line. Once there, walk about 7 minutes to Casco Viejo and take a train back to Mundaka on line E4.

From Barcelona take a train from Barcelona-Sants Station to Bilbao-Abando on the ALV line. Then walk about 7 minutes and take the train again at Caso Viejo to Mundaka on the E4 line.

 

How to get there by bus

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From the airport take line A3247 to Calle Arenal. Once there, transfer from Plaza Moyua to Lamera on line A3527. From here you will have to transfer and board the train in Bermeo on lines E4 or Trena to Mundaka..

In Madrid bus to Bilbao, then transfer from Plaza Moyua to Lamera on line A3527. From here transfer again and take a train in Bermeo to Mundaka on line E4 or Trena.

From Barcelona take the bus to Bilbao. There transfer at Calle Luis Briñas to Via 7 on line 28_VLT. Once there, transfer once again taking the train at Abando to Raimundo Abaroa Kalea street using line A3515.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport take the BI-631 road until you reach Mundaka.

From Madrid take the A-1 to Mundaka.

From Barcelona take the AP-2 and AP-68 to Mundaka.

 

Where to stay in Mundaka Carnival

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Booking.com

 

Hotel Atalaya

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2-star hotel 150 meters from the center. The rooms have garden and mountain views, TV, minibar and private bathroom. The hotel offers internet, entrance to the beach and bar.

 

Hotel El Puerto

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1 star hotel 150 meters from the center. Rooms have TV, heating and private bathroom. Facilities offer free internet, bar and parking.

 

Eco Hotel Mundaka

1-star hotel 100 meters from the center. Rooms include satellite TV and private bathroom. The hotel offers free internet, bar and parking.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:

 

Booking.com

 

Thanks for reading

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