La Virgen del Carmen is the protectress of seamen, and on July 16th the coastal towns and fishing villages celebrate with parades and festivities in her honour. Statues of La Virgen del Carmen are carried through the towns to the water and then taken aboard a gaily adorned boat.
The procession in Nerja leaves from the El Salvador church on the Balcòn de Europa and proceeds through the town and then down Avenida Castilla Perez to Torrecilla beach. The image of the Virgen Carmen is loaded onto a fishing boat at dusk and then, accompanied by a veritable flotilla of small craft, the boat makes its way up and down the Nerja coastline before coming back to shore at Calahonda beach where there is a big fireworks display.
The celebrations actually begin the night before, July 15th, with a floral tribute at the El Salvador church on the Balcón de Europa. On the evening of July 17th, in Plaza Fabrica del Cangrejos at the bottom of Avenida Castilla Perez, the fires are lit and sardines are cooked over the coals and handed out free to anyone who wants them. There is usually a bar, live music and dancing until about 2am.
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
La Virgen del Carmen
