This Thursday evening, a traditional walk to Candelaria will take place in Tenerife. This pilgrimage is in honour of the Patroness of Canarias and gathers thousands of people on the way to the Mariana Villa.
On this occasion, the alert for risk of wildfires and high temperatures, which are still in effect, will cause some restrictions. Specifically, access to the forest—especially the Corona Forestal—and the TF-1 motorway will be prohibited for safety reasons.
However, the Cabildo de Tenerife will allow the pilgrimage to Candelaria along the Camino Viejo and the TF-28 road on 14th August.
Camino Viejo
The Camino Viejo de Candelaria is a route of great historical and ethnographic value that corresponds to the ancient path connecting the city of La Laguna with the coastal area of Candelaria. For a long time, it was the main route connecting both locations. Since 1499, it has been recognised as an annual pilgrimage route associated with devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria and her sanctuary, which has endured through the centuries.
The path is set in an agricultural landscape that changes from the cool fields around La Laguna to the windy and increasingly arid slopes facing southeast, down to the Güímar Valley. In late 2008, the five best-preserved sections of this path were declared a Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in the category of Historic Site.
With 21.2 kilometres, this ancient royal road is linked to the worship of the Virgin of Candelaria, Patroness of the Canary Islands, becoming a pilgrimage route for faithful and visitors since the 16th century. For centuries, it has become one of the key references of the feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, celebrated on 15th August.
Increase in Buses
Interurban Transport of Tenerife (Titsa), a company of the Cabildo de Tenerife, will strengthen some of its services to facilitate the movement of pilgrims for the Candelaria festivities on 14th and 15th August. Thus, all services in Candelaria will be carried out from Avenida de los Menceyes next to the old Station, from Thursday 14th August at 14:00 until Friday 15th August at 17:00. As a result, stops from C/ Bélgica to Plaza de Teror will be temporarily out of service.
According to the planned arrangements, line 122, in addition to its regular route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Caletillas and Candelaria, will enhance its regular service based on passenger demand from 18:30 on 14th August until 23:00 on 15th August, aiming to facilitate mobility during these busy dates in the municipality. Additionally, line 120 (Santa Cruz-Güímar, Candelaria, Puertito de Güímar) will have more departures starting from 17:25.
Additionally, Titsa will enable a special service of line 522, which will operate the route La Laguna-Motorway-Candelaria, between 18:30 on Thursday 14th August and 21:30 on Friday 15th August. The last departure from Candelaria to La Laguna will be at 23:30, following the same itinerary in both directions: La Laguna-Motorway of the North TF-5- Link Road TF-2, Motorway of the South TF-1-Candelaria.
Links
The pilgrims wishing to start their journey on the General Road of the South can use several lines operating with their usual schedules throughout Thursday 14th August for connections at the following points: Santa Cruz-Cruce de La Cuesta: lines 014 and 228; Santa Cruz-Cruce de Taco: lines 232, 233, 934, 936, 937 and 238; and Santa Cruz-Universitary Hospital of Canarias: lines 015, 102, 103 and 108.
Meanwhile, those travelling from the South of the island have lines 111 and 711, connecting Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Costa Adeje via the TF-1 motorway, both to and from.
Additionally, pilgrims who have made use of the bus to travel to Candelaria will have free parking at the parkings of the Interchange of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, from 18:00 on 14th August to 23:00 on 15th August, provided they present a trip on lines 120, 122 and 522. Users must go to the main parking box to validate the use of the mentioned lines.
