Los Enharinados (Alicante)

Los Enharinados is a festive battle in which participants throw flour, eggs, and firecrackers at each other. This festival symbolizes a satirical coup d'état in which the Enharinados take power for a day.

It is celebrated in Ibi, Alicante, every December 28, Day of the Holy Innocents in Spain. Its origins date back to the 19th century, and it began as a satire on local injustices and tax collection.

The showering of flour and eggs throughout the town, the military costumes and parodies of the authorities, as well as the symbolic fines, which are then donated to charity, are the most characteristic features of this unusual festival in Spain.

Fiesta de la Filoxera (Catalonia)

On September 7 and 8, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia celebrates the Fiesta de la Filoxera.

It commemorates the arrival of the phylloxera, the pest that devastated European vineyards in the 19th century. Phylloxera destroyed almost all the vineyards in the Penedès region, and this celebration was created in 1982 to remember the tragedy and the recovery of the wine sector. The town's fight against insects is dramatized with costumes and giant figures.

Baixada dels Raiers (Lleida)

The Baixada dels Raiers is a reenactment of the ancient trade of the raiers: men who descended rivers on rafts made of tied-together logs, transporting wood from the Pyrenees to the lowlands.

It is celebrated at the end of July or beginning of August in Coll de Nargó (Lleida). This festival is based on a real trade that existed until the mid-20th century. Log rafts were an essential means of transport.

Nochevieja en agosto (Granada)

Yes, New Year's Eve in August, as you read it. This celebration is an alternative to New Year's Eve in which the village of Bérchules, Granada, celebrates “New Year's Eve” on the first Saturday in August. This is because in 1994 a power cut prevented the real New Year's Eve from being celebrated and they decided to move it to the summer.

It features bells ringing in August, grapes, toasts, party favors, and music, all in a summer atmosphere with a Christmas theme.

El Salto del Colacho (Burgos)

A man dressed as the devil (el Colacho) jumps over babies lying on mattresses. It is believed that this expels evil spirits and purifies the newborns.

El Salto del Colacho is celebrated in Castrillo de Murcia, in Burgos, during the Corpus Christi festival, so the date varies between May and June. It has been documented since the 17th century and is a ritual that combines religious tradition and popular symbolism about the protection of children.

If you want to discover more traditions, facts, and continue learning Spanish, sign up for an intensive Spanish course with us and discover the beauty and hidden culture of Spain firsthand.

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We've already told you about the most popular festivals in Spain, but did you know that there are also some lesser-known celebrations and festivities in the country?

Celebrating a saint by running in front of bulls, starting a battle using tomatoes as ammunition, or burning giant puppets or dolls in the streets of the city are some of the most popular festivals in Spain. Or perhaps you've heard of Los Sanfermines, Las Fallas, or La Tomatina?

In addition to these, there are other unusual festivals and traditions in Spain, many of them unique, which are celebrated in lesser-known or less touristy areas. Want to learn about them? Keep reading!

La Vijanera (Cantabria)

La Vijanera is a winter masquerade that symbolizes the expulsion of evil spirits, the farewell to the old year, and the arrival of the new. Symbolic characters such as the zarramacos (with cowbells), the preñá, the bear, the madama, etc. participate in it.

It is celebrated in Silió (Molledo, Cantabria) on the first Sunday in January (unless that day is January 1, in which case it is moved to the following Sunday).

The origin of La Vijanera has to do with pre-Roman roots and winter rituals related to fertility and the renewal of the cycle. The figure of Janus (Roman god of beginnings) is behind some of its symbolism. It was revived as a festival in the 1980s.

Santa Marta de Ribarteme (Pontevedra)

In As Neves, in Pontevedra, the festival of Santa Marta takes place on July 29. The festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme is also known as the “pilgrimage of the almost dead.” Here, people who have overcome a serious illness or accident parade in coffins as an offering of thanks to Santa Marta for having been saved.

It has medieval origins and is based on devotion to Santa Marta, linked to resurrection and protection from death.

Characteristics of this tradition are the processions with people inside coffins carried by relatives, the chants, promises, and thanksgiving.

Concurs de Castells (Tarragona)

Let's move to Tarragona, where the Concurs de Castells, a biannual competition of human towers or castells, takes place. The colles castelleres compete to build the tallest and most complex structure.

Specifically, in the Tarraco Arena Plaça, Tarragona, the Concurs de Castells is held on the first weekend of October in even-numbered years.

The castellera tradition began more than two centuries ago in Catalonia. The competition as such was first held in 1932 and became established in 1970. In this unusual Spanish festival, human towers of up to 10 stories are built, requiring a high level of coordination and risk. In addition, the boy or girl who crowns the tower is called an enxaneta.

El Cascamorras (Granada)

A character named Cascamorras attempts to recover the image of the Virgin of Mercy. The inhabitants of the rival town welcome him by smearing him with paint to prevent him from fulfilling his mission. This is what happens in the tradition of El Cascamorras in Granada.

It is celebrated on September 6 in Baza and September 9 in Guadix. This celebration is based on a historical dispute in the 15th century between the two towns over ownership of the image of the Virgin.

This tradition is characterized by colorful paintings, races, music, and water. In addition, El Cascamorras has been declared a festival of International Tourist Interest.If you want to experience this festival firsthand, you can come to don Quijote's Spanish school Granada and attend the El Cascamorras celebration.

La Danza de la Muerte (Girona)

A medieval performance that shows the inevitability of death. During the La Danza de la Muerte (Dance of Death) festival, people dance in silence, with characters such as Death with a scythe, skeletons, and the flag of human finitude.

It takes place in Verges, Girona, on Holy Thursday night during Holy Week.

This tradition dates to the 14th century, at the height of epidemics and medieval spirituality. It is one of the oldest dances of death in Europe.

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Unique festivals in Spain

Unusual festivals in Spain. Did you know that there are unusual traditions in Spain that you may not be familiar with? Don Quijote tells you all about them.

Spain Traditions Spain Unusual festivals in Spain. Did you know that there are unusual traditions in Spain that you may not be familiar with? Don Quijote tells you all about them. unique festivals in spain, unique holidays in spain, weird spanish traditions, unique spanish festivals, weird spanish festivals Off Marta Díaz

Spanish compound words with hyphens

• Cultural-lingüístico (cultural + lingüístico). Cultural-linguistic: topics related to culture and language.
• Físico-químico (físico + químico). Physical-chemical: topics related to physics and chemistry.
• Histórico-artístico (histórico + artístico). Historical-artistic: related to history and art.
• Hispano-alemán / franco-español (hispano + alemán / franco + español). Hispanic-German / French-Spanish: mixed or related to two countries.
• Médico-quirúrgico (médico + quirúrgico). Medical-surgical: topics related to medicine and surgery.
• Político-social (político + social). Political-social: topics related to politics and society.
• Socio-económico (socio + económico). Socio-economic: social and economic in nature.
• Teórico-práctico (teórico + práctico). Theoretical-practical: combining theory and practice.

Separate compound words in Spanish

• Caja fuerte (caja + fuerte). Safebox: a place to store valuable items.
• Casa cuna (casa + cuna). An institution for babies or young children.
• Coche bomba (coche + bomba). Car bomb: a vehicle used as an explosive device.
• Lagarto ocelado (lagarto + ocelado). Ocellated lizard: reptile with circular spots.
• Manos libres (manos + libres). Hands-free: device that allows you to use the phone without using your hands.
• Mesa camilla (mesa + camilla). Table with brazier: traditional round table with a brazier.
• Ojo de buey (ojo + buey). Porthole: round window on ships.
• Ojo de gallo (ojo + gallo). Cock's eye: injury to the foot.
• Oso panda (oso + panda). Panda bear: black and white mammal native to China.
• Pata de gallo (pata + de + gallo). Crow's feet: wrinkles around the eyes.
• Pez ángel (pez + ángel). Angelfish: ornamental fish.
• Pez espada (pez + espada). Swordfish: type of fish with an elongated shape.
• Pez globo (pez + globo). Pufferfish: fish that inflates like a balloon.
• Perro guía (perro + guía). Guide dog: dog that helps blind people.
• Piel de gallina (piel + de + gallina). Goosebumps: sensation when the hair stands on end.
• Serpiente coral (serpiente + coral). Coral snake: brightly colored snake.
• Tiburón martillo (tiburón + martillo). Hammerhead shark: shark with a hammer-shaped head.
• Uña de gato (uña + gato). Cat's claw: medicinal climbing plant.

These are just some of the most common compound words in Spanish that you may hear in everyday life or during your intensive Spanish course. And if you want to learn more, we invite you to visit our website and come to one of the 11 cities where we offer Spanish classes so you can perfect the language in a short time and in your own way.

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List of Spanish compound words

Once you understand that there are different types of compound words in Spanish, it's time to learn the most common ones. Below is a complete list of very common compound words, the two words that form them, and their meaning.

Common Spanish compound words

• Abrecartas (abre + cartas). Letter opener: an object used to open envelopes or paper letters.
• Abrelatas (abre + latas). Can opener: a tool for opening cans of food.
• Agridulce (agrio + dulce). Bittersweet: a flavor that combines sweet and sour.
• Altamar (alta + mar). High seas: the open sea, far from the coast.
• Bienestar (bien + estar). Well-being: state of satisfaction or comfort.
• Boquiabierto (boca + abierto). Open mouth: when a person is very surprised.
• Bocacalle (boca + calle). Turning or entrance into a street: entrance or beginning of a street.
• Cumpleaños (cumple + años). Birthday: anniversary of birth.
• Girasol (gira + sol). Sunflower: plant that turns its flower toward the sun-
• Guardaespaldas (guarda + espaldas). Bodyguard: person who protects another.
• Lavavajillas / lavaplatos (lava + vajillas/platos). Dishwasher: machine that automatically washes dishes.
• Limpiaparabrisas (limpia + parabrisas). Windshield wiper: mechanism in cars that cleans the front glass when it rains.
• Maldecir (mal + decir). Curse: to insult or speak ill of someone.
• Medianoche (media + noche). Midnight: 12:00 a.m.
• Paraguas (para + aguas). Umbrella: an object used to protect oneself from the rain.
• Pararrayos (para + rayos). Lightning rod: a device that protects against lightning strikes.
• Pasamanos (pasa + manos). Handrail: a bar used for support when going up or down stairs.
• Pelirrojo (pelo + rojo). Redhead: a person with red hair.
• Quitamanchas (quita + manchas). Stain remover: a product that removes stains from clothing or other surfaces.
• Rascacielos (rasca + cielos). Skyscraper: a very tall building in cities.
• Rompecabezas (rompe + cabezas). Puzzle: a difficult puzzle or riddle.
• Sacapuntas (saca + puntas). Pencil sharpener: tool for sharpening pencils.
• Salvavidas (salva + vidas). Life jacket or life vest: float or object to prevent drowning.
• Sobremesa (sobre + mesa). After-dinner conversation: time spent at the table after eating.
• Tirachinas (tirar + chinas). Slingshot: instrument for throwing small stones.

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If you want to go beyond basic Spanish vocabulary, in this article from don Quijote we bring you compound words in Spanish. Do you know what types of compound words there are? They probably exist in your native language too, but do you know how to use them in Spanish?

Discover everything related to compound words, their meaning, and example sentences so you can see where and when to use them. Are you ready to take your journey of learning Spanish in Spain to the next level? don Quijote helps you achieve the level you've always wanted.

What are compound words in Spanish?

In Spanish, compound words are those that are formed by joining two or more simple words. Thus, both words combine their structures and create a new term with a meaning different from the original words. Compound words in Spanish can be formed by several grammatical elements: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or prepositions.

In general, compound words in Spanish can be inseparable, for example, sacapuntas, which is a single indivisible unit. Or they can be separable, such as teórico-práctico, when it comes to elements that retain a certain independence.

Types of Spanish compound words

As mentioned above, just as compound words can be inseparable or separable, there are different types and divisions. These are the most common:

• They form a single word. The union of two words contributes to the appearance of a single word. The elements may undergo modifications. For example, agridulce (bittersweet), rompecabezas (puzzle), or medianoche (midnight).
• They remain separate. Two words are joined, but they refer to a single element, so they are written separately, even though their meaning is combined. For example: medio ambiente (environment) or pez espada (swordfish).
• Joined by a hyphen. Although they form a single word, they are separated by a hyphen, but they designate a single referent and do not merge, as in the previous examples. For example: hispano-romano (Hispanic Roman) or socio-económico (socio-economic).

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Spanish compound words

Spanish compound words. We'll tell you what compound words are in Spanish with don Quijote and give you examples in everyday sentences.

Grammar Spanish compound words. We'll tell you what compound words are in Spanish with don Quijote and give you examples in everyday sentences. compound words in spanish, spanish compound words Off Marta Díaz