A central feature of the celebration is the Rompida de la Hora ("Breaking of the Hour"), when all the drummers start playing at the same time.

This event, which symbolizes the tremor following the death of Christ, takes place on Maundy Thursday at midnight in most towns, and at noon on Good Friday in Calanda.

The origins of the Ruta del Tambor y el Bombo are believed to be from medieval times, possibly introduced by knights who brought percussion instruments to the area.

[1][better source needed] Until the 1980s, drum playing in some towns was restricted to men, but since then, women have gradually become involved.

In 2014, the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism declared the Ruta del Tambor y el Bombo as a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest of Spain.