Festa: Día de la Virgen del Carmen

Virgen del Carmen and I live together, but I'm not too familiar with her story or who she watches over. Her tile is anchored firmly in my patio wall, under the stairwell that leads up to my roof. Weekly, I'll remember she's out there as I go in and out of the laundry room.

Needless to say when I heard about Virgen del Carmen and the blessing of the local fishing fleets I had to look into it, especially when I learned that she would be boarding a boat and going to sea! Not too bad of a way to spend her one day out from an alcove of a church- right?

Her Biblical importance is found in the Old Testament when prophet Elias, towards the end of his life, became a hermit in a cave on Mount Carmelo. Hundreds of years later, pilgrims trying to follow in the prophet’s footsteps, invoked the protection of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo – Stella Maris, the Virgin of Carmen. Now, the Virgin is the patroness and protector of all seamen, fishermen.  Virgen del Carmen is believed to be keep the waters clean and safe. For many of older generations, they do not believe the sea to be fit for swimming in until after the 16th after she has blessed the water. 

On the evening of July 16, in the fishing villages and towns up and down the coast, la Reina de los Mares is paraded through the streets and taken out on the bay on a flower-adorned boat, accompanied by a flotilla of jábegas (fishing boats). A prayer is said for all those that spend time on the water.  Rota is no exception with a healthy fishing community and the local naval base. The crowds lined up along our beach path, port wall, watching the parade from shore was pretty impressive; especially as the sun began to set (you know, at 10pm) and the sunset illuminated the back drop for the procession.