Cascamorras

About

A filthy fight awaits you in Granada! Cascamorras is a three-day festival during the first week of September with a dirty difference. The two towns of Guadix and Baza (go for the pottery, caves, and museums) brave battle over a statue, Virgen de la Piedad. Of course, there's a 500 year old story to back up this bizarre Spanish fiesta. Back then a builder from Guadix was working at the Merced Convent in Baza, when he came across a statue of the Virgin. The folk of Baza claimed it as theirs, much to the annoyance of their neighbors in Guadix. So every year on the same date they re-enact a scene of 'grabbing' it back, pelting the poor fool — Cascamorras — who is chosen to go and get it. He never makes it, as besides being pelted with eggs, dirty water to represent oil, and anything else they can get their hands on, he is also treated as a guest of honor and so the three-day party begins. He returns home filthy, drunk, and empty-handed. Top tip: If you do go and join in — wear old clothes!