Monbus

The last days of July are very special for the people from Ciudad Real since it is celebrated the most important festivity in Ciudad Real: La Pandorga, a popular celebration of simple and peasant essence which has a lot of visitors every year. La Pandorga was born as a manifestation of the popular expression and over the years it has been institutionalised. Its origin dates back to the flower offering the faithful made to the Virgin of Prado, patron saint of the city, to whom the farmers commended themselves in order to receive her protection and in gratitude for the harvests collected.
With a clear folkloric, religious and traditional connotation, you will be able to find workshops, shows, concerts, competitions and popular dances that will take you back in time in order to a better understanding of the past uses and costumes.
This festivity has experienced many ups and downs throughout its history, ceasing to be celebrated for years due to the destruction, in the middle of the Spanish Civil War, of the image of the Virgin of Prado. Nowadays, the festivity has recovered all the strength and prominence and it has been declared Regional Celebration of Tourist Interest.
Once the Mayor of the city has named the Pandorgo, the Dulcinea and her Ladies, they will protect the Virgin in procession to the cathedral accompanied by the groups of supporters and folkloric groups dressed in the traditional costumes. These are instants of raw emotion and devotion for the faithful.
In the beautiful gardens of the Prado, a competition of limoná will be celebrated, where you will be able to taste this typical drink made with white wine, sugar and lemon. Moreover, you will be able to take part in the celebration of the zurra where the young men who got soaked go and come from the Mayor Square to the Prado and vice versa. A growing number of young people come from all the corners meet together, so we recommend you to acquire a water pistol typical of this celebration, with which you will be able to sprinkle the others and keep yourself cool in order to put up with the typical hot weather of the summer.
Remember, the typical costume consists of white T-shirt or “manchego” long-shirt, a pair of jeans and the scarf of “yerbas”. It is easy, isn’t it? Available for anyone who wants to take part in this festivity.
Travel with Monbus to Ciudad Real by bus of regular line from Valencia, Albacete, Cuenca or Badajoz among others. You can check all our routes by bus to Ciudad Real in our interactive map. Remember that you can also ask us for a budget without obligation to rent a bus exclusively for you and your friends, or perhaps to rent a car to plan the travel the way you want.