La Orotava will celebrate its pilgrimage in honour of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza this Sunday, 14 June. This event is among the most popular on the island, attracting hundreds of pilgrims to the town to enjoy local traditions, cuisine, and music in the company of family and friends.
As with every traditional event of this nature, attendees are advised to wear traditional clothing. Public transport is recommended for travel to the event.
To facilitate travel, Titsa will be increasing the bus services.
Schedule
The pilgrimage will take place this Sunday, starting at 1:30 PM. After the pilgrimage, there will be a ceremonial transfer of the saints to the parish of San Isidro Labrador, located at El Calvario.
Prior to the pilgrimage, and once the Eucharist concludes, the saints will process to the Casa de los Balcones, where they will receive tributes from the pilgrims.
More Buses for the Pilgrimage
Specifically, the changes to the bus services for the pilgrimage are as follows:
- Increased frequency for line 101, which connects La Laguna to La Orotava.
- Line 351, which links Puerto de la Cruz, the Botanical Gardens, and La Orotava station, will have additional services in both directions.
- Line 353, which creates a circular route between Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, and La Orotava, will see additional services from the Los Realejos link.
History of the Pilgrimage
The veneration of San Isidro dates back to the 17th century, but it was in the 19th century that La Orotava held its first pilgrimage in his honour.
In 1936, the structure of the pilgrimage changed, adopting a more modern and popular format. The Taoro Lyceum, led by César Hernández Martínez -recently honoured posthumously- took charge of the organisation, incorporating a parade from San Francisco to El Calvario, decorated wagons, livestock, folk groups, and encouraged greater participation from pilgrims.
This format continues to the present day, celebrated annually in June -with exceptions due to the pandemic- and attracting hundreds of followers, making it one of the most popular events in the archipelago.
Procession of the Saints
Another prominent event in the municipality, which is gaining more supporters each year, is the procession of the saints, held the night before the pilgrimage.
On the eve of the main day, hundreds of locals accompany the patron saints from the Sanctuary of El Calvario to the Parish of Nuestra Señora de La Concepción. The transfer concludes with a fireworks display.
