Fiestas Lustrales de la Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, Religious festival in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain.
The Fiestas Lustrales de la Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves is a religious festival where the statue of the Virgin of the Snows travels two kilometers down from the Royal Sanctuary to the city in a grand procession held every five years. The journey follows a set route and concludes at a designated church in town.
The tradition started in 1676 when a bishop authorized moving the Virgin statue during a severe drought to seek divine help. Since then, the procession has remained a central part of island life.
The festival features the Dance of the Dwarves, traditional minuets, and theatrical performances between a castle and a boat that represent local customs. These performances are deeply rooted in island identity and passed down through generations.
The festival takes place between late June and mid-July and happens every five years, with the next event in 2025. When visiting, check the procession routes beforehand since crowds can be quite large and limit where you can stand.
The Virgin's throne is separated into 42 individual pieces and carried by locals dressed in traditional island clothing. This unusual division allows many residents to participate actively in the ceremony.
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