Wine Horses Monument (Monumento a los Caballos del Vino)

The Caballos del Vino festival in Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, is a centuries-old tradition with roots that are believed to date back to the Middle Ages. The festival’s origin is tied to a miraculous event during a siege, when Christian forces were saved by cavalry delivering wine in barrels. According to legend, the horses raced up the hill, bringing the wine to the defenders, and the event was seen as a divine intervention.

Today, the main event of the festival takes place on May 2nd, where teams of four people each take a corner of a horse (which is not ridden) and race up the steep hill to the sanctuary of the Holy Cross. The horses are beautifully decorated with vibrant garlands and traditional adornments, while the runners must hold on tightly and maintain control as they ascend the hill, a race that tests both endurance and teamwork.

The Wine Horses Monument, located at the base of the hill where the race begins, honours this incredible display of skill and tradition, symbolizing the energy and excitement of the festival.