What to Do 
Fiestas & Festivals La Virgen del Carmen
Fiestas & Festivals La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
On the 16th July the coastal towns of Spain celebrate the Fiesta of the 'Virgen del Carmen', the protectress of fishermen.
During the evening of the 16th July, in the Costa Tropical towns of Castell de Ferro, Torrenueva, Motril, Almuñécar, and La Herradura, a church service is held to honour La Virgen del Carmen. After the service the residents will form a procession parading her statue through the streets, accompanied by the steady rhythm of a brass band. At dusk, after the procession arrives at the water's edge, the Virgin is taken out to sea on a flower-decked boat, accompanied by a flotilla of "jábegas" (fishing boats). Brass bands play, crowds cheer, rockets shoot off, and fireworks illuminate the sky over the sea.
The towns of the Costa Tropical still retain strong fishing communities and an attachment to "la Reina de los Mares" (the Queen of the Seas). Historically it was believed that the Virgin cleansed the water with her presence and that only after July 16th could one swim in the sea safely.
During the evening of the 16th July, in the Costa Tropical towns of Castell de Ferro, Torrenueva, Motril, Almuñécar, and La Herradura, a church service is held to honour La Virgen del Carmen. After the service the residents will form a procession parading her statue through the streets, accompanied by the steady rhythm of a brass band. At dusk, after the procession arrives at the water's edge, the Virgin is taken out to sea on a flower-decked boat, accompanied by a flotilla of "jábegas" (fishing boats). Brass bands play, crowds cheer, rockets shoot off, and fireworks illuminate the sky over the sea.
The towns of the Costa Tropical still retain strong fishing communities and an attachment to "la Reina de los Mares" (the Queen of the Seas). Historically it was believed that the Virgin cleansed the water with her presence and that only after July 16th could one swim in the sea safely.
