La Virgen del Carmen (the Virgin of Mount Carmel) is the patron saint of the sea and also of fishers and sailors. Every year on 16 July, a spectacular fiesta is held in her honour in the various coastal towns on Mallorca. The locals decorate the statue and the villages with passion and joy.
Festive Preparations
Preparations for the festival begin well before the 16th of July. The streets are festively decorated with colourful flags and lights. The towns also organise a religious procession followed by a boat trip along the coast. A lot of boat owners decorate their boats with flags and flowers to accompany the Virgen del Carmen on the sea later.
The Festival Day – Virgen Del Carmen
On the day of the festival, locals and tourists come together in the coastal villages at noon to celebrate the procession. The decorated statue is carried by locals on their shoulders through the village to the harbour. Singing, prayers and music accompany the march. Many spectators at the roadside also celebrate the solemn procession.
As the Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of seafarers, part of the celebrations also take place at sea. The statue is brought to the harbour on a decorated boat. The patron saint is greeted and honoured there with ship sirens and foghorns from boats and yachts. These accompany the statue in a large parade along the coast. The sea thus becomes the scene of a fascinating ceremony in which the Virgen del Carmen symbolically blesses the sea and the sailors and fishermen ask for protection and blessings.
The celebration goes on until late in the evening with lots of music, dances and the “Correfocs” (demons). Of course, fireworks are not to be missed. It is a spectacular street festival that you should not miss.
Especially spectacular is the procession in Port d’Andratx. Here you will also find some of the most luxurious and beautiful properties on Mallorca. We would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect property for you in Port d’Andratx and the surrounding area. You can reach us at: info@wackershauser-immo.com or +49 176 1970 8211.
