Basilica of Candelaria is an important pilgrim town for its shrine to Our Lady of Candelaria.

Candelaria is an important pilgrim site and many of its visitors come to the Basilica of Candelaria, the shrine of the Black Madonna, the Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, who is the patron saint of the Canary Islands.

Every year on the 15th August there is the Fiesta of Candelaria and this is one of the most important fiestas on Tenerife. Thousands of visitors arrive for the celebrations. And whenever there is an event such as Confirmation or First Communion the whole building is decorated with flowers.

A statue of the virgin was found by Guanche goatherds and originally taken to the palace of the Guanche king and venerated as the Guanche goddess Chaxiraxi (mother of the gods).

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History 

The Guanches placed the statue in a cave but during an exceptionally high tide it was washed out to sea again and lost. When the conquistadors arrived they decided it was a statue of the Virgin Mary and constructed a hermitage which was later replaced by the Basilica. A new statue was carved by Fernando Estevez in 1530 and this is the one currently housed in the Basilica of Candelaria in the town square. (P. Mullen, Shrines of Our Lady) See more European Catholic Shrines and pilgrimages

The first people to worship it and the original settlers on the island, the Guanche, are represented in nine bronze sculptures outside the basilica. It is also worth visiting Candelaria during the festivals of El Carmen and Santa Ana, in the month of July. See top 15 Catholic shrines in the world

Basilica of Candelaria

Basilica is not huge, bust stands impressively on the edge of the square. It is the first thing you see when you descend from the surrounding hills and make your way through the narrow alleys between the old houses. The interior, ablaze with light, is dominated by the statue of Our lady of Candeleria, whose face wears the most tender expression imaginable.

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The basilica is the work of the architect Enrique Marrero Regalado, built in 1959 thanks to the initiative of the Bishop of Tenerife, Domingo Pérez Cáceres, native of Güímar. It is structured in three naves, with a roof that imitates the Mudejar style and a dome 25 meters high. the central tower stands out with its of 45 meters.

The main chapel keeps the image of the Our lady of Candeleria proclaimed in 1599 by Pope Clement VIII. Patroness of the Canary archipelago, title ratified in 1867 by Pius IX.

In its interior there are murals of Jose Aguiar and works of the painter Martín González; Other works are: the Christ of Reconciliation; A Baroque custodian carved in the Canaries in the s. XVIII, and a baptismal font of great historical value pertaining to the s. XVI.

Although the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Candelaria takes place on February 2, August 15 is celebrated
Then, pilgrimage people come from all over the Island.

Next to the Basilica is the Fountain of the Pilgrims. Next to the Basilica rises the convent of the Dominicans, built in 1803 after suffering a fire. The convent is run by the Dominicans, who since 1530 are the chaplains of the Candelaria. Once you have passed the convent you will reach the Cave of Achbinico or San Blas, where the Guanches placed their Virgin, whose archaeological importance is demonstrated.


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Photo credits:

• By Tony Bowden
• By JZ85 – Own work
• By Berthold Werner
• By Diego Delso