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Procession of the Virgen del Carmen in La Carihuela. Torremolinos. July. Unique Festival

Diputación de Málaga
Torremolinos. Procesión de la Virgen del Carmen de la Carihuela. Julio. Fiesta Singular

Procession of the Virgen del Carmen in La Carihuela. Torremolinos. July. Unique Festival

This festival has been declared to be of Tourist Interest by the Provincial Council of Málaga.
Please check with the local Town Hall or Municipal Tourism Office for the festival date before planning any sightseeing activities.

La Carihuela is an old fishermen's quarter in Torremolinos that has an architectural, human and cultural heritage akin to other old seafaring quarters, such as Huelin and El Perchel in Málaga, or Los Boliches in Fuengirola.

In the 18th century, the Virgen del Carmen festival was already very popular. Besides La Carihuela, many other fishing villages were the first to celebrate nautical processions in her honour every 16th of July.
Despite the multiple changes caused in the quarter by the arrival of mass tourism from the 1950s onwards, leaving only ten fishing families, this tradition has taken on a new meaning. Aside from its religious value, it has become a strong tourist attraction in the area.

Now the procession of the Virgen del Carmen in La Carihuela attracts up to 25,000 people who come to escort the image throughout the processional route.

The festivities begin every 15th of July with the Floral Offering to Our Lady, and culminate on the 16th with the procession of the image through the streets before boarding Her in a "Media Jábega" or "Chalana"—the traditional fishing rowboat. She then sails along the town's coastline while still being accompanied by purposely composed songs and Hail Marys

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Discover more about the province of Malaga

Discover more about the province of Malaga