Virgin of Carmen

On July 16, the maritime procession is celebrated, by land and by sea, in honor of Our Lady of Carmen, patron saint of Estepona. The procession, one of the most deeply rooted traditions in Estepona, departs from the church of Our Lady of Carmen and continues along Paseo Marítimo, where two crowds await, one of tourists and devout Esteponeros on the coast. And another one of all the boats sizes decorated for the occasion, which come to receive the Virgin, all in an atmosphere of joy and celebration. The head of the procession goes into the water, until the bearers of the statue feel their bodies and clothes under the sea, singing “La Salve Marinera”. Then they lift the Virgin up and put her on a boat. The Lady of Carmen continues her procession by sea, followed by all the ships full of people and sailors, who, under cheers and sirens, come to accompany their patron on her journey through the waters of Estepona. Once back ashore, he continues his journey along paseo Marítimo, until he settles back in his hermitage, and waits for the arrival of July 16 of the following year to walk among the people again.