The Sounds of Tradition
On December 6, 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the Junta de Cuadrillas (Gathering of Cuadrillas) in Cañada de la Cruz (Spain). This annual event, traditionally held in the village around this time, commemorated its 28th edition.
Four folklore groups offered the public a series of concerts in the morning featuring the traditional music of the Region of Murcia. The word cuadrilla refers in this context to folk music groups that play old music with traditional instruments. My visit came about through the invitation of members and friends of the Cuadrilla de Ánimas de Santa Lucía, from San Ginés (Murcia).
Cañada de la Cruz
Cañada de la Cruz is a charming locality in Murcia, situated in the municipality of Moratalla, and is the westernmost district of the Region of Murcia. The village lies at the foot of the impressive Sierra de Revolcadores, with its 2028-meter peak, the highest massif in the region. Its name evokes the historic cattle trails (cañadas) that linked Granada with Caravaca de la Cruz. The addition “de la Cruz” (of the Cross) refers to a historical event in 1435, in which a cross was placed at the site where Captain Alonso Yáñez was buried after a battle.
With only about 140 inhabitants (according to the latest censuses), the community still maintains a rich social life. The major patron saints’ festivals, honoring the Immaculate Conception, are held in August. Furthermore, the village is popular for rural tourism and hiking, with the possibility of spotting wild fauna such as the Spanish ibex.
A Warm Welcome and the Festive Atmosphere
From the village of El Sabinar, which is also part of the municipality of Moratalla, the drive to Cañada de la Cruz took about 45 minutes. Upon arrival, it was a matter of following the sound. Although the cuadrillas’ performances had not yet officially begun, music and dancing were already lively in the central village square, the Plaza de la Cruz. The atmosphere was immediately festive and welcoming. The mix of young and old represented was striking—a beautiful sight in these small villages, where all generations celebrate traditions together, unlike in big cities where younger people are often less involved in folklore.
As the performance was still a little while away, I took out my camera to walk around the village and capture some nice images. Soon, a local resident who had noticed my camera approached me. After a brief and surprised “always” in response to his question about whether I wanted to photograph something very beautiful, he pointed me towards a group of men sitting in front of a garage door. He encouraged me to go inside. There I saw five huge paellas of rice, being prepared to be served hot later to the members of the cuadrillas.
Spanish Hospitality
Once back outside, I was invited to sit down and have something to eat or drink. This is Spain in its purest state—the spontaneous hospitality that makes life in this rural area of Murcia so wonderful. I chatted with them for a good while, after which I took a group portrait for them.
When I returned to the Plaza de la Cruz, the event had just begun. The Cuadrilla de Santa Lucía was scheduled to perform third, which gave me time to find a good spot and angle to photograph them. While crossing the audience, a woman called me over and asked if I was a professional photographer. Specifically, she wanted to know if I worked for regional newspapers like La Verdad or La Opinión de Murcia.
Although I told her I was not, she still asked me to take a photo of her group. As we talked, we discovered we came from the same village in the municipality of Murcia, Santo Ángel. That created an instant connection. Curiously, her husband had been born in Cañada de la Cruz but now lived in Santo Ángel, using the family house in Cañada as a weekend retreat. This is a normal practice in these small villages, where many families from the region, or even from further afield, have their country houses.
The Cuadrilla de la Purísima Concepción de Cañada de la Cruz
The event was organized by the Cuadrilla de la Purísima Concepción de Cañada de la Cruz. This is a vibrant traditional music group, composed of about 20 members of various ages. Faithful to a rich ritual that spans the entire year, this cuadrilla is the cultural heart of its locality.
Performance by the Cuadrilla de la Purísimo Concepción
During the Cuadrilla de Santa Lucía‘s performance, I took a series of photos of their act. In the performance of the cuadrilla from San Ginés, several members of the Cuadrilla de la Purísima Concepción participated, including two members of the Murcian group “Mujeres con Raíz.”
Mari Cruz Sánchez (Singer) from the group Mujeres con Raíz (Women with Roots)
Performance by the band with the event presenter (Singer)
The event concluded with a communal meal, where everyone was able to enjoy a delicious plate of rice—the very same rice I had photographed earlier.
Return to El Sabinar
Satisfied, I drove back to El Sabinar, with my mind full of new experiences and stories. It was a delightful, authentically Spanish day in Cañada de la Cruz.
More information (Spanish)
Animeros de Cañada de la Cruz
Facebook: Cuadrilla de Santa Lucia
Instagram: Cuadrilla de Santa Lucia
Grupo: Mujeres con Raíz
Elnoroestedigital.com: Cuando la historia vuelve a sonar
