Unique Fiestas del Carmen Los Realejos Tenerife Spain and Puerto Cruz

The Fiestas del Carmen of Realejos San Agustin are most likely leading by their amount of activities.  Puerto de la Cruz certainly tops in Tenerife by the spectacle of the "embarcaciónes" the embarkments of the statues of San Telmo and Virgen del Carmen. Both are town fishermen patrons, while the Madonna sculpture of Realejos also figures as Patron of the entire Valley of La Orotava.
These events of Tenerife North are so important that a new posters and brochures are created by both towns year by year.

These celebrations are part of the Fiestas de Julio (July). They have their own Fiesta queens, while sports competitions also play a big role, above all in neighboring Realejos. Then, the latter's suburb San Agustin which harbors a Marian shrine attracts a magnitude of people while thousands spread all over the Puerto Cruz hub with its Muelle and its fishing hamlet La Ranilla.

The recent history of the top Tenerife Virgen del Carmen Festival Puerto de la Cruz

Its first ocean ride fiesta will be 100 years old on July 13 of 2021. Its first Cofradia del Carmen was founded in 1919 after that of the Cofradia del Gran Poder de Dios in 1917.

Dates of Fiestas del Carmen Puerto Cruz and Los Realejos in 2019 and 2022

July 16, 2019 stages the main Fiesta del Carmen ocean ride by about 8.m. in Puerto de la Cruz after an evening mass.The same takes place on July 12, 2022 after the two year - Corona break.

A second one the Chiquita takes place on Sunday July 21 by about 6.pm. Alternatively on July 17, 2022

July 16 or on July 11, 2022 in El Puerto Cruz is also day of the Gran Poder de Dios Procession.

The trip:

Saint San Telmo or Elmo the fisherman patron is taken before the Virgin onto a smaller boat. The ocean journey may lead as far as Hotel Maritim if the Atlantic permits. The 10 small speed rescue boats I saw in 2019 will most probably escort the saint and the patroness for safety reasons.   

In fact, a large crane by the Muelle seems to be busy non stop to lounge boats in the port during the Festivals. Most likely, enough of their owners would rent mooring in the planned Marina of the port.

La Cucaña game a balancing act contest of Fiesta del Carmen in El Puerto

La Cucana or Cucaña  as spelled in Spanish is a five meter long greased wooden pole. It's attached horizontally by the Muelle three meters above the sea. It's just wide enough to place one foot at the time. It takes place prior to the lounging of the boat with the Fiesta del Carmen statue, on the same day.

The Marineros will do their pilgrimage from Puerto de la Cruz to Los Realejos on July 24, 2022 for the Octava del Carmen. 

Always click on small images to enlarge them more...

Why is there a Fiesta Chiquita?

The reason is historical and due to the fact that two  important Cofradias are involved. Besides, the Fiestas de Julio of July of Puerto de la Cruz last an entire month. Therefore, it's no issue to find the right weekend for it. Also, there could hardly be better beach fun for all age groups like at all Fiestas del Carmen of Tenerife North.

It's important to see and to be seen at the July fiestas in El Puerto.

Other Fiestas del Carmen with ocean rides in Tenerife

• Santa Cruz the Tenerife capital:  July 16, 2019 at 20.30
• Los Gigantes Playa Las Arenas : July 14, 2019 by lunch time 
• Los Cristianos, September 01, 2019  details to be confirmed
• The fishing folk of La Laguna's Punta de Hidalgo and of Candelaria have their own version to celebrate Dia del Carmen
  
• Los Realejos celebrates the embarquement (embarquement, as from the French term of loading something onto a ship) together with Puerto de la Cruz on July 16 but the important pilgrimage of the Puerto Marinos El Carmen is a must see.

Praises are an important part of the Tenerife festivals del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz. Of course, they are more impressing during the main event. Then, a live Television broadcast blends in the most remarkable acts, such as a father who raises his toddler to greet Our Lady of Carmel. Most emotional is always an Ave Maria that's sung by a opera celebrity. Nevertheless, some youngsters applause just for the fun of it.  

Hundreds of cheering people of all age are knee deep submerged in the port's water near the shore during the loading ceremony.  They splash with amazing energy to also help the boat to get away. The island Bishop and town dignities are helped to get onto the boat by Muelle stairs, soon after. The small harbor is filled with powerful emotions that seem to gently vibrate on the ocean waves.

Can seats be booked for these open air festivals of Puerto de la Cruz

Unfortunately not.  Also, Police won't let anybody get onto the beach from a certain time onward and directs the pedestrian traffic toward La Aduana. At least, one can watch what happens from there on a big TV screen opposite.

Reina del Carmen 2017 Jazmin Puentes de la Muñoza had a true regal personality and was elected with total majority. Below she is depicted during the street procession of that year while the Marinos who carry the Madonna and San Telmo are in the photos next to her.

Meaning of Fiestas of our Lady Mount Carmel worldwide

• Juli 16 a Catholic church holiday has celebrated the apparition of the Virgin the mother of Christ on Mount Carmel to Saint Simon Stock since 1251.


• In the century XVI, the Franchy family of La Orotava built a chapel in honor of Our Lady of Carmel. Hearsay of miracles performed by her set the ball rolling for a fisherman patroness in El Puerto Cruz of Orotava, for cofradias and for later embarkments
  


• In 1726,  July 16 was declared day of worship i.e. Saint Day of our Lady of Mount Carmel to all Catholics by Pope Benedict XIII.


• Consequently, Lady Mount Carmel was adopted by seafarers and fishing folk of all Tenerife harbors and in all Spanish speaking countries, but not all take her out to sea.

When Puerto de la Cruz joins Los Realejos and vice versa

It is this fact of brotherhood that excels the Fiestas del Carmen of the two neighboring municipalities. In 2019, on July 28,  the Marinos the sailors of El Puerto start their yearly pilgrimage to San Agustin a suburb of Realejos by the port at 9 a.m. That's most likely also the day of the Realejo Potato Papa Bonita events.
 

Los Marinos del Puerto Cruz of the Fiestas del Carmen

Here, it must be mentioned that the so called Marinos of Puerto de la Cruz have been traditional bearers of the Marian statue of Los Realejos since about the middle of the eighteenth century. They never stopped the habit when they had a beautiful Madonna of Carmel themselves. This turns this event into one of the most remarkable of all Fiesta celebrations in Tenerife.

More captivating, amazing information and photos about the Marinos of El Puerto not to be missed

Needless to say, merry dancing, good food, wine, folk songs, Zarzuelas and balls of the Magos play a big part during the Carmelite Fiestas of Realejos as well as in Puerto de la Cruz.  Then, the Hermandades  the brotherhoods, the Cofradias as well as the Marinos chant their peculiar short praises besides the "Salve Maria" year after year during the processions. Mayors from both cities join each others processions. Guardia Civil police from as far as Icod de los Vinos puts up a prominent show for the safety of the towns. 

Tenerife North history of the Fiestas del Carmen

In 1725, the wealthy congregation of Realejo Bajo became owner of a most beautiful wooden statue of the Virgen del Carmen made by Antón Maria Maragliano of Genua.

In 1901 a Royal order from Madrid declared Our Lady of Carmel patroness of Marine trade and all seafarers which inludes the Royal Spanish Armada.

Church Iglesia del Carmen San Agustin of Realejos the number Two sancturary of Tenerife has been the destination of pilgrimage for devoted Catholics of Tenerife North since 1904.

Mind also a somewhat disputed Marian apparition early in XX to a South American woman near the Paraglider Pistes of Icod El Alto.

In 2015 on its fiftieth anniversary, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen at San Agustin of Los Realejos became a Catholic sanctuary under Pope Francis. (Francisco in Spanish)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Virgen del Carmen is ongoing Mayoress of Los Realejos and Patron of the Valley of la Orotava as well as of all Marinos.

Wednesdays for people blessing besides new borns

The Catholic devotion of the Realejos town folks is extraordinary. There on Wednesdays at the Sanctuary, women bring their new born babies to be blessed by Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

However, the celebrations in her name also have a very mundane side. Needless to say, even worldly Fiesta queens are crowned for the occasion and fireworks are never amiss.

Adults are also blessed at the Realejo Sanctuary. Pets? I wouldn't know but they have their chance during a couple of San Abad festivals on the island, such as at La Matanza de Acentejo early in the year.

Fiestas del Carmen Puerto Cruz where also San Telmo is a remarkable attraction

Get a better idea about the July celebrations of Los Realejos by some past activities, while Puerto de la Cruz is similar, except for its Heinecken Jazz festivals in July. Click

here.

About the latest day of the Cabalgata July 08 of 2022 of Fiestas del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz promoted as the big Fiestas de Julio

Gran Poder de Dios explained by nutshell history with photos of 2022 included

From Fiestas del Carmen back to Los Realejos

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