The town of Aljarafe is finalising preparations to welcome its patroness, who is making a pilgrimage from the Almohad hermitage. This year, she debuts new processional framework and several items of her attire.
Bollullos de la Mitación will celebrate one of its most significant events of the year on Saturday, July 25: the Arrival of the Virgin of Cuatrovitas, who travels from her hermitage in the area of the same name along the paths to the parish of the municipality. The day, which begins in the afternoon, will gather hundreds of locals and devotees around the patroness of the Olive Growers and the Green Olive Harvest of Aljarafe.
The brotherhood of the Virgin of Cuatrovitas has completed an intense programme of worship and preparatory events in the days leading up to this. On Friday, July 17, the XIV Young Proclamation was held, delivered by brother José Manuel López Figueredo. On Saturday, July 18, the Holy Mass and the traditional Night of the Chickpeas took place, and on Sunday, July 19, the faithful made a pilgrimage to the Almohad hermitage, a rite that marks the countdown to the festival.
Leading the corporation is the Brother Major, Salvador Varilla Gutiérrez, who is entering his fourth and final year of office. During his tenure, several heritage and conservation projects have been promoted, such as the restoration of the Virgin and Child, the acquisition and renovation of a new storage facility for the brotherhood, the restoration of the silver temple and the golden step of the Function, as well as a thorough renewal of the image's attire.
The Virgin of Cuatrovitas is already displayed in the hermitage dressed in her shepherdess attire. For this 2026 edition, the image debuts a new pelisse, made at the Salteras Embroidery Craft Workshop, and a mantle and a skirt embroidered on damask with bone-coloured pomegranates, both crafted by Jesús Castizo Ramírez.
One of the main novelties of the day is the new processional framework for the Virgin. The structure, made of carbon steel, pantownia wood, and beech, is gilded, polychrome, and finished in stainless steel. The interior upholstery is made of green velvet, and the letters and colours used mimic those of the altar of the hermitage. The framework has been executed at the Cerro Artesanía workshop in Bormujos and has been funded by the Calero Torres family.
The programme for July 25 begins at 17:30 with the Holy Mass dedicated to the Bearers of the Virgin. After the Eucharist, the patroness's face will be covered with her handkerchief, and her cape will be placed on her to begin the transfer to Bollullos. One of the most emotional moments will take place around 22:15 at the Calvary, when the handkerchief will be removed from the Virgin, a privilege this year belonging to sister Inés Monrove González. Following this, the triumphant procession through the streets of the town will commence, with the image accompanied musically by the Band of Music from La Puebla del Río. The arrival at the Parish Church of San Martín de Tours is expected around 01:00 on Sunday, July 26.
For the residents of Bollullos de la Mitación, the Arrival of the Virgin of Cuatrovitas is a deeply rooted tradition, bringing together entire families and numerous visitors from neighbouring towns in Aljarafe each year. The day combines religious fervour, heritage, and community spirit around an image that is a hallmark of the municipality.
With the new framework and the debut of several items of attire, the brotherhood concludes a cycle of heritage renewal that has characterised Salvador Varilla's mandate. Devotees will be able to closely observe these works during the processional route and in the days that the Virgin remains in the parish.
