The official chronicler of Los Llanos de Aridane, María Victoria Hernández, places the first maritime procession of the Virgen del Carmen on the island of La Palma in 1960, based on a documented review of the origins of this tradition that is nearly 70 years old.
The first time the Virgen del Carmen sailed the waters of La Palma in a maritime procession was in 1960. This is revealed by a detailed study by the official chronicler of Los Llanos de Aridane, María Victoria Hernández, who has traced the origins of this tradition on the island. Although devotion to the Virgen del Carmen is ancient, maritime processions did not begin until the mid-20th century.
A patronage that came from the sea
On April 19, 1901, a royal decree from Queen Regent María Cristina declared the Virgen del Carmen as the patroness of the Navy. Over the years, most Spanish coastal towns adopted the maritime procession with the image of Carmen. In La Palma, however, this tradition took time to take root. According to Hernández, the feast of Carmen was celebrated with recreational events, but without a maritime procession. In 1944, for example, Santa Cruz de La Palma organized games, regattas and festivities, but the image did not go out to sea.
The chronicler points out that the patronage of Carmen over fishermen was established during the Franco regime, displacing San Pedro, who was the traditional patron. In Tazacorte, in 1948, the festivities in honour of San Pedro included a grand maritime procession. However, the Virgen del Carmen began to gain ground, and by 1960 her first outing to sea is already documented.
The first embarkation in 1960
Hernández's study notes that in 1960 the image of the Virgen del Carmen sailed through the bay of Santa Cruz de La Palma in a maritime procession, amidst the sounds of sirens and the enthusiasm of an extraordinary crowd. Before that date, there is no record of the image having gone out to sea. The maritime procession has continued to this day, becoming one of the most anticipated events of the summer on the island.
For the residents of Los Llanos de Aridane, this tradition holds a special significance. The coastal neighbourhood of Puerto de Naos celebrates a maritime procession every July 16 that attracts hundreds of people. Knowing that the first time was in 1960 adds historical value to a tradition that is already part of the maritime soul of La Palma.
Other maritime processions in the Canary Islands
Hernández recalls that in other Canary Islands, maritime processions were earlier. In 1903, in the port of Abona (Tenerife), a maritime procession of the Virgen de las Mercedes was held. In 1921, in La Gomera, the Virgen de Guadalupe went out in a maritime procession. And in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Virgen del Carmen already processed by sea in 1929. La Palma, therefore, joined later, but with the same devotion.
The chronicler highlights that in Puerto Espíndola, in San Andrés y Sauces, the feast of Carmen is celebrated on the first Sunday of August, and by 1948 it had already taken root among the fishermen. However, the maritime procession is not documented until years later.
María Victoria Hernández's research sheds light on a tradition that, despite its relatively young age, has become a hallmark of the coastal towns of La Palma. The residents of Los Llanos de Aridane can be proud that their Virgen del Carmen has been sailing for over six decades.
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