Triumph of the Candelaria, Victory column and sculpture in Plaza de España, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
The Triumph of the Candelaria is a marble column rising about 11 meters high with four statues of Guanche kings positioned at its base. The Virgin of Candelaria stands at the summit, overlooking the plaza below.
The monument was commissioned in 1778 by Captain Bartolomé Antonio Montañés and created by sculptor Pasquale Bocciardo in a Genoese workshop. It emerged as a symbol of religious faith and civic authority during that era.
The column shows how Spanish religious traditions and indigenous Guanche culture are intertwined through its composition. The four kings at the base and the Virgin crowning the top represent this blend of two worlds.
The monument sits in Plaza de España and is freely accessible at any time. The plaza itself serves as a natural gathering point and starting location for exploring the downtown area.
The sculpture depicts a Black Madonna representation of the Virgin of Candelaria, deeply revered in the region. This particular iconography holds special meaning in local religious tradition and sets it apart from other Madonna depictions.
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