Thousands of devotees have participated in the religious events and processions in honour of the Patroness, which included the traditional blessing of the waters and the maritime procession.
The mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, received this morning the medal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel from the Julio Romero de Torres Neighbourhood Association, in a gesture that the mayor described as
“an honour and a show of affection from a neighbourhood so linked to this festival”. The event took place in the El Ingenio neighbourhood in San Pedro Alcántara, where the 47th anniversary of the Virgen del Carmen Fair was being celebrated.
A Day of Faith and Maritime Tradition
The events began at dawn with the Rosario de la Aurora, which made its way through the streets of the town centre to Cable Beach. There, the bishop of Málaga, Monsignor José Antonio Satué Huerto, officiated the solemn mass before a crowd that filled the sandy beach. The image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel presided over the ceremony, during which prayers were offered for the fishermen and for the protection of the municipality's coastlines.
After the Eucharist, the Patroness was transported in procession to the La Bajadilla Fishing Port, where the traditional blessing of the waters took place. Dozens of decorated boats accompanied the Virgin on her maritime journey to the Virgen del Carmen Marina, in a scene that gathered hundreds of worshippers on the docks and nearby beaches.
Devotion that Unites the Entire Municipality
In the afternoon, the image returned by land to its temple and later featured in the Procession of Praise through the streets of Marbella's historic centre. The atmosphere was festive and crowded, with locals and visitors eager not to miss the event. The mayor highlighted that
“it is a beautiful celebration that has once again been a massive event in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara, where many people and families did not want to miss these acts due to the great devotion in the city”.
The El Ingenio neighbourhood in San Pedro Alcántara experienced its own day of brotherhood with a popular fair, which included musical performances, stalls, and activities for the little ones. The Julio Romero de Torres Neighbourhood Association, the event's organiser, presented the medal of the Virgin to the mayor as a thank you for her support of this tradition.
A Tradition that Transcends Generations
The festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patroness of fishermen, has a deep-rooted tradition along the Málaga coast, and Marbella is no exception. The Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been organising these events for decades, which each year attract more worshippers. For many locals, it is an unmissable occasion that strengthens community ties and local identity.
The day concluded with the return of the image to its sanctuary, amidst cheers and applause. The mayor, visibly moved, thanked the brotherhood and the locals for their involvement, and announced that next year new features will be prepared to continue enhancing one of the most significant festivals in the Marbella calendar.
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