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Its origin goes back to the 15th century, when the clergy changed their form of apostolate and religion transformed the Easter Week. Those were the days when San Vicente Ferrer came to Hellín to preach against 'Witches and Seers’. He also organised the penitential processions.

Those being disciplined walked through the streets lashing their backs or doing painful things such as walking barefooted over chick peas, dragging chains, etc.

The Saint had the habit of leading his processions with two drummers announcing the passage of the penitents so that people did not bother them. Thus was born the custom of playing drums in Hellín. The importance of this musical instrument is such that it has generated an artisan activity: prior to Easter many neighbours spend time building or repairing drums, the sound of which is essential during that week.

How to get there

Road transport

The first drumming session takes place on the night of the Friday before Palm Sunday, when they celebrate the Via Crucis of the Torches. As a preparation and in order to warm up the drums, an increasing number of drummers head towards the Calvary without their black tunics, in a pilgrimage that lasts until the wee hours of the following day.

The Wednesday right before Holy Thursday , at three pm, begins the second big drumming session. All the people flock to the streets, wearing their tunics and carrying their drums and, in groups of friends, they walk through the streets of town until 11 pm, which marks the beginning of the procession of the Oración del Huerto [Prayer in the Grove].

It is probably on the night of Holy Thursday when they celebrate the most important drumming session of the Easter Week. At 12 midnight, after the end of the Procession of Silence, groups of drummers take to the streets, breaking the silence with a huge uproar that lasts until the afternoon of the following day.
Around 20,000 drummers go along the streets of the town waiting for the sunrise, which signals the beginning of a tradition that is repeated year after year: the walk up to Calvary. With the first rays of daylight, after several hours of drumming, the drummers embark on the walk up to Calvary, where they wait until shortly before the start o the procession to start walking down to the 'Rabal’, finishing at around three pm.

The fourth and last drumming session is celebrated during the night of Easter Saturday, lasting until three pm on Easter Sunday. The drums are played all night long while awaiting the celebration of the 'Encuentro’ [Meeting] on Easter Sunday morning. During the 'Encuentro’ the drums are present on the fairgrounds esplanade, joining with the applause of the public attending and the lighting of a string of fireworks, right when the Dolorosa and Jesus Resurrected meet.
The drummers then embark on the walk up to the Plaza de la Iglesia, where the last drumming event takes place. The farewell to Drums consists of a release of doves from within a huge drum, with thousands of drummers to be heard in the background, thus ending the Easter Week 'tamboradas’.

Dates

From the Friday before Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Area

Festivities of Regional, National and International Interest for Tourists.