An offshore procession

In the old days, people in Estepona did not swim in the sea until the water had been blessed. This article explains the reason.

Every July 16th is very special in Estepona. A day that smells of incense, flowers, salt, and sea. The citizens pay tribute to The Virgin of El Carmen, who is the patron saint of the town and, particularly, of the fishermen. The procession starts at the church and goes along the promenade towards the beach, as usual, following the tradition. A crowd of tourists wait to be able to see the Virgin, in a happy and festivity atmosphere.

The Virgin is carried to the water's edge and then lifted onto a boat. This is the second part of the procession, in the sea. The rest of the boats, meticulously decorated and full of sailors and people singing and cheering their patron, surround and accompany the Virgin in her trip along the coast.

Finally, she is returned back to the land and kept into the church again, waiting for the next year to bless the sea and look after the fishermen who risk their lives every day to make a living in the sea.

Rocío Ramos Sánchez

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