Caniles' Robbing of the Saint dates back to the 18th century, when grave-robbers stole the local saint's cadaver. The town now honours the patron saint with a fiesta resembling the chaotic Pamplona bull-runnings more than a solemn religious procession.
San Sebastían, although not the official saint, (San Antonio de Padua is, although no one seems to worry about it) is paraded through the streets around late afternoon. Everyone in the town takes care to eat heartily before the procession because they will have to rely on a little more energy than usual.
As soon as the effigy leaves the church, groups armed with sticks, stakes and padded with a minimum of protective clothing conspire to grab the banner hanging from the saint's head. The successful ones win a place at the front of the parade which ends with a blessing of fireworks and rockets.
As soon as the effigy leaves the church, groups armed with sticks, stakes and padded with a minimum of protective clothing conspire to grab the banner hanging from the saint's head. The successful ones win a place at the front of the parade which ends with a blessing of fireworks and rockets.
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