Virgen del Carmen

Tradition has it that the Carmelite monks, who inhabited the slopes of Mount Carmel and worshipped the Virgin Mary who had appeared there in a vision, were forced to flee by a Saracen invasion force. During this eviction the Virgin appeared to them again and promised to be their 'Star of the Sea' and to guide them to safety.

Since then she has been the patron saint of mariners and, as such, the Virgen del Carmen is revered amongst the local fishing communities of southern Spain .

Virgen del Carmen is celebrated by the fishing communities in Sabinillas and Castillo. The Virgen del Carmen is Castillo de la Duquesa's Patron Saint and on her feast day - the 16th July - her images are placed on board the local fishing boats in two separate ceremonies: the first off the beach at Sabinillas amongst much pomp and ceremony (this can be quite a 'hairy' operation, especially if the sea is a bit lively); and the second in the Port of Duquesa. The two boats bearing the Virgens, along with with a flotilla of fishing and pleasure craft, then parade up and down the coast from the Salt Tower to Chullera before disembarking in Sabinillas and the marina at Puerto de la Duquesa to be borne back back to her place of honour in the churches at Sabinillas and Castillo respectively.

Programme - Castillo

08:00h The Municipal 'Charanga' or brass band will perform through the streets of Castillo de la Duquesa

12:00h Various childrens competitions and races on the the beach at Castillo

Afternoon The procession will proceed from the church at Castillo to Duquesa where the Virgen will be placed on the chosen boat and then paraded up and down the coast accompanied by the rest of the 'fleet'.

22:00h Musica and dancing to the group 'Calambre'

23:00h Grand performance by the group 'Siempre Asi' followed by music and dance to the early hours of the morning.

2006 Programme - Sabinillas

More information as soon as we have it.

For more images visit the Gallery