Cascamorras 2026 in Guadix and Baza

Discover Cascamorras 2026 in Baza and Guadix, a colourful festive event

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In this article, you will find essential information about Cascamorras in Guadix and Baza:

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• A few words of introduction about Cascamorras in Guadix and Baza
• The 2026 dates for Cascamorras in Baza and Guadix
• The route map for Cascamorras in Baza
• The official posters
• The incredible story behind Cascamorras
• A video of Cascamorras to get you in the mood
• How are Baza and Guadix preparing for Cascamorras?
• Booking accommodation in Baza or Guadix
• Things to do in Baza and Guadix
• Some useful links
• The latest articles on authentic Andalusia

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A few words of introduction about Cascamorras in Guadix and Baza

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This festival has been recognised as being of National Tourist Interest since 2006 and of International Tourist Interest since 2013.

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Note: an application has also been submitted for this festival to be listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

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This festival is one of the oldest in Andalusia.

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It has been celebrated for over 530 years. One of its unique features is that it takes place in two towns, Baza and Guadix. Both are located east of Granada and the Alhambra, about a hundred kilometres away.

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Finally, this celebration is simply incredible in its fervour, particularly in the singing at each stage throughout the city. Seeing thousands of people covered in paint (black in Baza and ochre in Guadix) invade these two cities is also very surprising.

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Note 2: In Andalusia, there are around ten celebrations recognised as being of International Tourist Interest, including:

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• The Cadiz Carnival,
• The Horse Fair in Jerez de la Frontera,
• The Grape Harvest Festival in Jerez de la Frontera,
• Holy Week in Seville, Malaga, and Granada,
• The Romería del Rocío,
• The horse races on the beach in Sanlucar de Barrameda.

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The 2026 dates for Cascamorras in Baza and Guadix

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Here are the dates for this unusual and popular festival:

• Cascamorras in Baza: 6 September
• Cascamorras in Guadix: 9 September

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Map of the Cascamorras route in Baza

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The route is 4-5 km long. It is run at a slow pace from the heights of the city to the city centre.

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The official posters

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Cascamorras in Baza is part of the Baza Fair programme:

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The poster for Cascamorras in Guadix:

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The incredible story behind Cascamorras

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This festival was first celebrated in… 1490. It has therefore been celebrated for 535 years

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Here is the historical starting point of this celebration:

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In 1151, the Almohads destroyed numerous temples in Baza, including a Mozarabic chapel in the Churra district of Baza. Three centuries later, in 1490, a knight of King Ferdinand of Aragon decided to build a church on this site.

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Then, according to the story, during the construction work, a labourer from Guadix, Juan Pedernal, heard a voice after demolishing some plaster. The voice is said to have said: ‘Baza, Guadix: have mercy on me!’ As he approached, he discovered a sculpture of a virgin, which was then given the name Nuestra Señora de la Piedad.

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The problem was that the labourer wanted to take the sculpture of the Virgin back to Guadix, which did not sit well with the other labourers. This incident continued to escalate until the authorities of both towns became involved.

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Birth of the Cascamorras of Guadix and Baza

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However, no solution was found between the two municipalities. The case was then taken to court. The court ruled that Baza had the right to keep the sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Guadix had the right to worship it one day a year.

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But the court’s decision satisfied no one. The inhabitants of Baza were afraid that they would not get the statue of the Virgin back after lending it to the inhabitants of Guadix for 24 hours.

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It should be noted that a jester, a personal friend of Juan Pedernal, had threatened to steal it during the court proceedings. In response, the inhabitants of Baza pelted him with paint and rubbish.

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Note: it is possible that this character, the jester, is the current Cascamorras, as the current costume resembles that of a harlequin, like Cascamorras.

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Tradition has it that, following this incident, the inhabitants of Baza told Juan Pedernal that if he managed to arrive at the church clean, he could take the sculpture of the Virgin to Guadix.

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Of course, the bastetanos, inhabitants of Guadix, did their utmost to make this an impossible task. They failed. And when he returned to his town, Guadix, without the sculpture of the Virgin, the inhabitants, very disappointed, began to throw paint at him too.

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A tradition was born. It has lasted for 535 years!

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The celebration has evolved over time. Today, the inhabitants cover themselves in paint so that they are ready to throw it at the Cascamorras as he passes by. Numerous handprints can be seen on clothes and walls.

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Note: the paints used today are made exclusively from vegetable oil and natural pigments 🙂.

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Video of the Cascamorras in Baza and Guadix

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How do Baza and Guadix prepare for the Cascamorras?

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On the day of the Cascamorras, the atmosphere in the town is very special. All the shops and public buildings protect themselves. The photos speak for themselves 🙂

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Even the police station protects itself…

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It must be said that this invasion leaves its mark:

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Book accommodation in Baza or Guadix

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Below, you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Baza, after selecting your dates:

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Below, you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Guadix, after selecting your dates:

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Things to do in Baza and Guadix

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Baza and Guadix are two towns that are quite close to each other. Here are some activities starting from Guadix:

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You can also book them online today (with free cancellation):

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Some useful links

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• A map of Andalusia. It is an interactive map; simply click on each city to see the best places to visit.

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• For those staying on the Costa del Sol and wishing to visit Andalusia, here are 8 wonderful excursions from Malaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.

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• Hire car at Malaga airport

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The latest articles on Andalusia

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