The seafaring processions in honour of the Virgen del Carmen are a summer event in many fishing villages along the Andalusian coast, as they are an annual tribute to the patron saint of fishermen. In provinces such as Malaga, Granada, Cadiz, Huelva and Almeria, where a large part of the economy has traditionally been based on fishing, sailors and locals join together to take the images of the Virgin out to the seashore, where a parade of boats receives her with fervour.

On 16 July, the day of El Carmen, many villages set out to pay a tribute to their patron saint. The image of the Virgin is carried first to the sea and then along the coast, followed by the boats from the water, creating a peculiar scene.

Origins

The processions of the Virgen del Carmen seem to have originated in the 12th century. Popular tradition has it that the celebration was born on Mount Carmel, in Israel, where the prophet Elijah made a promise against drought. As a result of the veneration that many believers began to feel for this place, the Carmelite Order was eventually created there. In July 1251, as providence would have it, the Virgin of Mount Carmel appeared to the superior general of the order in Cambridge, Saint Simon Stock. From then until today, the history of this seafaring procession has followed its course.

Coast of Malaga

In the province of Malaga more than 30 seafaring processions are held in the month of July, generally between the 16th and 26th in the coastal towns, but also in several inland villages. Some of them are well-known, such as the procession of the Virgen del Carmen in Malaga in the neighbourhoods of El Palo, Pedregalejo, Huelin or El Perchel. The latter includes a maritime procession and the blessing of the waters so that fishing may be fruitful, including a remembrance of those who have died at sea, by the Virgen del Carmen Coronada del Perchel. Also very representative are those celebrated in Marbella, Estepona, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Torre del Mar, in Vélez-Málaga or Rincón de la Victoria, which are complemented by fairs and other festive and cultural events.

Coast of Cádiz

Seafaring processions are held in Cádiz, Puerto Real, San Fernando, El Puerto de Santa María, Chiclana, Tarifa, San Roque, Algeciras, La Línea de la Concepción, Los Barrios, Chipiona, Conil, Barbate and Zahara de los Atunes, among other towns. These are seafaring festivals par excellence. The celebrations usually begin with a mass in honour of the Patron Saint, after which the Virgin is taken to the fishing port for a procession by boat across the sea, accompanied by sailors and local residents. Events are organised in the fishing ports, and the festivity culminates with a procession of the Virgin through the streets of the town.

Processions are also held in the city of Almería and in the province of Huelva, in towns such as Isla Cristina and Punta Umbría. In Granada, the seafaring processions of Almuñécar, Salobreña, Motril and Torrenueva stand out.

In many towns, as well as decking out the boats, the procession is accompanied by fireworks, which add light and spectacle to this centuries-old tradition. During the previous days, numerous nautical and sporting activities also take place, such as regattas, competitions and dances.

Period / Occurrence: Annual. The Day of El Carmen is celebrated on 16th July, although the festivities associated with it and the exaltation of Virgin del Carmen can last from 16th to 26th July.

Embarque. Procesión Virgen del Carmen. Málaga. Photo: Eva Cote Montes. © Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico

IAPH image under the conditions established under license cc-by 3.0 de Creative Common. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Embarque de la Virgen del Carmen. Motril (Granada). Photo: Ana Belén García Muñoz. © Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico

IAPH image under the conditions established under license cc-by 3.0 de Creative Common. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Virgen del Carmen en la procesión marítima. Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga). Photo: Marc Ballester i Torrents. © Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico

IAPH image under the conditions established under license cc-by 3.0 de Creative Common. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Virgen del Carmen en la procesión marítima. Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga). Photo: Marc Ballester i Torrents. © Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico

IAPH image under the conditions established under license cc-by 3.0 de Creative Common. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/

Malagamistica. (2012). Procesión de la Virgen del Carmen-El Palo (Málaga, 2011). [Video File].

Reference:
Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico. Ana Belén GARCÍA MUÑOZ, Atlas del Patrimonio Inmaterial de Andalucía. Fase 3. Zona 1.Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, 2012.