Monday, 7 September, sees Güímar come alive for one of the municipality’s most important traditional celebrations, the Bajada de Nuestra Señora de El Socorro.
The day starts early, with pilgrims gathering for Mass before the image of the Virgin makes its way from the San Pedro Apóstol parish down to the hamlet of El Socorro.
An early start in Güímar
The pilgrims’ Mass begins at 6:00am at the San Pedro Apóstol parish and will be led by Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago, Bishop of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
After the service, the procession heads towards the Calvary Chapel before continuing with the descent of the image to El Socorro.
It’s an early start, but this is one of those Tenerife traditions where getting out of bed before sunrise is very much part of the deal.
The Ceremony of the Guanches
The main event of the day comes later, at 7:00pm, with the traditional Ceremony of the Guanches.
The image will first be taken to the Cruz de Tea, before the procession makes its way back to the hermitage.
For Güímar, the Bajada is far more than another event on the calendar. It is a deeply rooted tradition that brings together faith, history and generations of local residents and visitors.