ARCHIVED - Corpus Christi salt carpets and altars given cultural protection in Jaen
This tradition takes place during the celebration of Corpus Cristi in Villacarrillo and Vaillardompardo in Jaen province, Andalucia.
The practice of creating colourful carpets of salt and street altars, decorated with other natural materials and items of cultural significance for the celebration of Corpus Christi have been given protection as an Item of Cultural Interest in two areas of Jaen; Villacarrillo and Villardompardo in a boost to preserve this characterful Spanish tradition.
Dating back to the 16th century, the tradition involves locals working together to design altars and carpets made of salt and natural materials to be used for a procession to celebrate the first Eucharist in a young person's life in these particular towns.
The ornate displays are each the result of several months work by locals and the Governing Council has now declared the festival in the towns as an Asset of Cultural Heritage (BIC).
Locals construct ornate altars in the streets, joined by carpets of salt or the streets strewn with fresh herbs, through which the Corpus procession passes, stopping at every altar for a blessing.
The same tradition takes place in many areas of Spain, to a lesser or greater degree, attracting thousands of visitors to witness the Corpus processions every year.