The people of Caravaca de la Cruz celebrate the Festival of the Holy Cross at the beginning of May with the town's famous race of the "wine horses" (caballos de vino). Riderless horses, wearing beautifully embroidered coats, race from the bottom of the town up to the castle
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The celebration dates back to around 1250, when templar knights raced across territory ruled by the Moors to bring wine to those that guarded the relic of the True Cross (Vera Cruz), kept there since 1231. The animals are led by a porter on each side, who must run as fast as their legs can carry them. People line the route and cheer on the competitors.
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