In the month of July one of the most important dates on the festival calendar is held at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Santuario del Carmen). This is where the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Nuestra Señora del Carmen) is housed. The figure was made by Antón María Maragliano in 1726 and since then it has become the focal point for the devoutly religious in the Valley of La Orotava.
This is a predominantly religious festival, although some of the minor events are of a more festive nature.
This festival has always included a cultural element as seen in the opening ceremony, theatre productions, expositions and conferences, and not forgetting all kinds of musical styles, sporting events, children’s games, parades, the battle of the flowers, and a large “etc…” of other activities throughout the month of July.
Did you know…?
Every year the town relives a tradition from the 18th century in which seamen from the town of Puerto de la Cruz carry the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (la Virgen del Carmen) down the streets of Los Realejos. In terms of the crowds it attracts, this procession is one of the largest events from amongst all of those that can be found in the festival calendar.
The event that stands out amongst all others during the festival is the procession in La Octava. In this procession the statue of the virgin is carried on the shoulders of seamen from Puerto de La Cruz whilst the crowd cheers on. People will shout and scream their praises at the Virgin to show their devotion which becomes a deafening roar of religious fervour.
