Delve into the municipality of Candelaria, belonging to the island from Tenerife and experience the authentic and honorable tradition of pilgrimage to the Virgin of Candelaria, also known as Our Lady of Candelaria or popularly as The Little Dark-Skinned One.
It should be noted that its origin comes from “"candlestick"” o “"candle"”, which refers to light: the holy light that guides us on the right path and rekindles faith in a merciful God.
Anyone wishing to do this hike can do so from anywhere on the island of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, since The starting point will depend on the promises, offerings, and sacrifices. that have been proposed to offer to the majestic Virgin of Candelaria.
This holiday It is celebrated on the night of August 14th to 15th. Nevertheless, There are groups that also carry it out February 1st and 2nd, although in much smaller numbers than in August. In it The play depicts Jesus the Redeemer in the Temple of Jerusalem after his birth and the purification of Mary..
For this reason, through this post, we will give you the opportunity to learn firsthand about the history and many relevant aspects of the Candelaria municipality that you cannot miss when attending this great event.
If you wish to live a sublime experience where religious beliefs and customs will predominate, surrounded by thousands of local pilgrims, these are more than enough reasons for you not to think twice and immerse yourself in this solemn celebration. You won't regret it!
What prior knowledge should you consider regarding the history of the legendary pilgrimage to the Virgin of Candelaria?
Our Lady of Candelaria is a Marian devotion of the Catholic Church, considered Asset of Cultural Interest, Historical Heritage of Spain. The image, approximately 1 meter in size, is located located in the dressing room of the Basilica, in the municipality of Candelaria on the island of Tenerife.
During the festival, it is placed on a splendid processional throne embossed in silver, where it will remain close to its devotees until the end of the festival, at which point it returns to its niche.
As is known, the Virgin of Candelaria, classified in the group of Black Virgins, is the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands. It is worth noting that it is known as the “greatest treasure” of the Canary Archipelago. Therefore, she has many devotees who come from all the islands and even from around the world to venerate her.
Likewise, this primitive neoclassical style image, dating from 1827, It disappeared into the sea as a result of a flood; for this reason, a replica was created, being the author the sculptor from La Orotava, Fernando Estévez.
Currently, this is a fundamental symbol for the Canary Islands. In fact, many of his followers have created a popular song of the Virgin of Candelaria: “Virgin of Candelaria, the most beautiful, the darkest, the one who spreads her mantle, from the summit to the sand.”.
Therefore, I invite you to delve into this famous commemoration, in order to appreciate the worship, tradition, history, and religion from a more festive perspective.
The Municipality of Candelaria
This municipality, located southeast of Tenerife, He is considered the sacred place and pilgrimage site par excellence of the archipelago., as well as being one of the most charming towns in the Canary Islands, since it reflects a remarkable religious fervor.
It is worth noting that once you immerse yourself in this municipality, its atmosphere completely envelops you, along with the sea breeze and tranquility, to the point of wanting to return again.
Without a doubt, you can't miss visiting Candelaria and taking this walk, which, besides providing you with a lot of cultural enrichment, will give you the opportunity to connect with religion and practice the Christian faith.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria
This beautiful Basilica is the first Marian Temple of the Canary Archipelago. It's worth noting that once you finish the hike, you'll have the opportunity to stay, as it's considered a meeting point for all pilgrims.
Similarly, you can appreciate the Fountain of the Pilgrims, which is located right next to the Basilica.
Therefore, once you finish the pilgrimage and arrive at the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, Don't hesitate for a second to enter, since Both its exterior and interior are worthy of admiration..
If you liked this publication, Don't forget to leave us a comment and also check out our various posts on other related content! Canary archipelago!
There isn't a single person from Tenerife who hasn't made the pilgrimage to Candelaria at some point. Some celebrate it as a religious festival, but others simply enjoy it as a fun outing with family or friends, getting a bit of exercise along the way or having a good chat during the nighttime walk while sipping a beer.
Don't miss everything we tell you about the Tenerife Carnival celebration, one of the best carnivals in the world.
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