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From 8am, as many as 300,000 people are expected to take part in this year's annual pilgrimage to Santa Faz. It takes place in Alicante on the second Thursday after Easter. It dates back to March 17 1489, when a pilgrimage was being held to ask for rain. Just then a tear miraculously appeared on the right cheek of Christ who was pictured on the Santa Faz relic, which is said to be part of the cloth with which Veronica wiped Christ's face as he carried the cross to Calvary. A few days after, the rain came, ending a long draught that had affected the region. It is an eight kilometre walk from St Nicholas of Bari cathedral to the Santa Faz monastery. Along the route, pilgrims can anise rolls and mistela (sweet wine of the region). This is the second largest pilgrimage in Spain, 0nly the Santiago de Compostela attracts more,