More than fifty pilgrims and around ten riders took part in the fifthHuesca) on 3 October in Sijena ( Romería Sijena Viva took part. The pilgrimage led to the Real Monasterio de Santa María de Sijena and put the revival of a historic section of the Camino de Santiago from the municipality in the spotlight. The call for monastic life to return to the former priory was also a key focus.
According to the organisers, the Romería combined a walking route of around 17 kilometres from Sariñena with a horse-riding route of around 26 kilometres from El Tormillo. The programme included a service at the monastery, a communal meal and a concert to close the event. Attendance figures were given at the event and reported by local media on 4 October.
The Romería is organised by the platform Sijena Sí, which has campaigned for years to protect the monastery and put it to active use. It sees the revival of the pilgrimage route as a way to support local heritage and cultural tourism, as well as a visible public signal in favour of a lasting religious presence in Sijena. This is the organisers’ demand; no official decisions have been made on the return of religious communities.
The Real Monasterio de Santa María de Sijena, a highly valued cultural monument founded in 1188 in Aragon, has long been at the centre of cultural and legal disputes over artworks held elsewhere. The dispute over items from the monastery, including significant wall paintings, has further increased the site’s importance to Aragonese heritage. Against this background, the Romería Sijena Viva carries local political and symbolic weight, without giving rise to any immediate legal consequences.
No direct consequences for the monastery’s legal status or decisions on its art collections can be inferred from this year’s event. Such decisions are for the courts and administrative authorities. The expectations and views expressed in Sijena should be attributed to the respective organisers and supporters, and distinguished from official orders. Nevertheless, the Romería remains a visible event for Huesca province, bringing together religious tradition, cultural heritage and tourism.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).