Where people experience the sensation of 'death' in Spain

At the Santa Marta de Ribarteme festival, individuals who have faced near-death experiences are placed in coffins and carried throughout the village before returning to the church.

Where people experience the sensation of 'death' in Spain

A crowd carries crosses, moving slowly and gently tilting to avoid the first coffins passing by. Silence envelops the atmosphere. That's what you'll witness on a summer afternoon in the Galicia region, northwest Spain.

However, this is not a funeral, despite the presence of coffins. Inside those wooden coffins are living people. They are individuals who have come close to death but fortunately survived within the 12 months leading up to the festival. These individuals are placed in coffins by friends, family, carried throughout the village, church, cemetery, and then return to the church. At the end of the ceremony, the fortunate survivors will share their experiences with everyone.

'It's a symbol of victory over death,' says local priest Alfonso Besada Paraje about people lying in coffins. In fact, everyone is participating in an activity within the framework of the Santa Marta de Ribarteme procession. The event is held annually in July in the small village and provides an opportunity for people to experience near-death. Through this activity, the festival aims to encourage people to appreciate life more and give thanks for being alive.

In addition to carrying coffins, locals also parade the statue of Saint Marta de Ribarteme (the patron saint of those fortunate to escape death). This gesture expresses gratitude to Saint Marta - the legendary figure believed to aid humans in avoiding death.

The festival, a centuries-old tradition of the local people, still holds mysterious origins. Nevertheless, it has gained prominence nationally and internationally. Thousands of tourists flock in, crowding the narrow streets of Santa Marta de Ribarteme.

Besides exploring this peculiar festival, many also come as pilgrims, expressing sincere reverence. A 20-year-old traveler, covering 600 km from Madrid, shared: 'I came here to thank Saint Marta for helping my grandmother overcome cancer.' After his grandmother's recovery, he and his father make an annual pilgrimage to show gratitude.

A woman who lost both legs also attends the festival. She disclosed having lost her legs due to a severe illness 17 years ago. Since then, she returns annually to express gratitude to Saint Marta for granting her life.

Following the procession, the festival concludes with feasting, dancing, resounding music, and fireworks bursting all around. People gather, sharing their own near-death experiences. A popular dish during the festival is Rulpo a Feira, a Galician-style octopus. It's boiled, sprinkled with paprika, served on a thick wooden plate, with slices of potatoes underneath, and accompanied by local wine.

The festival is held in the small village of As Nives in the city of Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain.

In Vietnam, numerous travel agencies offer tours to cities in Spain – Portugal, priced at 70 million dong for a 10-day, 9-night journey. The ticket price from Hanoi (Vietnam) to Madrid (Spain) is approximately 400 USD one way. Vietnamese travelers need to apply for a visa when visiting Spain, with a visa service fee of around 2 million dong.

According to Anh Minh from Vnexpress

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References: Mytour Travel Guide