Description
The tradition says that, in the 15th century, the plague fell on the town and the inhabitants asked for the intercession of Sant Sebastià, promising that they would perpetually go on a pilgrimage to their nearest chapel every year.
The epidemy disappeared, and the villagers fulfilled their vote, sending a single man representing the entire town to the chapel dedicated to Sant Sebastià de Santa Coloma de Farners, located 40 km from Tossa. That's how the Pilgrim was born, and so it has continued to this day.
Since then, every January 20th, Pare Pelegrí, representing the people, and all those who want to accompany him, walk to the chapel of Sant Sebastià de Santa Coloma, and return to Tossa the next day. Upon arrival in Tossa, there is an emotional procession through the streets of the old quarter of the town, passing in front of a section of the walls illuminated with fireworks, which ends at the parochial church of Sant Vicenç.
For Tossa’s inhabitants, this is a very respected tradition. Who is going to follow the Pilgrim of Tossa can be believer or not, but it is asked that everyone respect the tradition and the rest of pilgrims, and that they do not confuse it with a popular, sporty or festive march, spirit of pilgrimage.