Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria

About

Nestled in the scenic coastal town of Candelaria on Tenerife, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria stands as one of Spain’s most cherished pilgrimage destinations. Constructed in 1959 over the site of an earlier hermitage, the basilica’s striking red and scarlet façade and soaring marble interior accommodate up to 5,000 faithful. Inside, visitors encounter magnificent murals that chronicle the Virgin’s history, a polished marble statue of the Virgin Mary herself, and the crown jewels that adorn her icon. The basilica’s position on the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias places it beside the bustling square, surrounded by statues of the nine indigenous kings of Tenerife. Each February 2 and August 15 the basilica opens its doors for processions of the Virgin and the annual celebrations that draw pilgrims from the Canary Islands and beyond.