Candelaria

The coastal town of Candelaria is located 20 kilometers from the capital Santa Cruz, one of the most visited and charming towns that can be found in the island. In Candelaria it is possible to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, one of the most beautiful in Tenerife and where the image of the Virgen de Candelaria can be found which was found in 1390, according to the legend, by aboriginal Guanche shepherds. The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelari is located in the old place where the gourds worshiped the virgin after the conquest. The Basilica is one of the main Marian shrines in Spain, celebrates the festivities every February 2 and August 15. The first thing that catches the attention of the temple is the tower of 45 meters high, it is an example of neoclassical architecture very widespread on the island. The Basilica of the Candelaria is composed of three naves, two chapels as well as an offering room and the dressing room. Element as four different stained glass windows and a series of mural paintings by different artists that complete the artistic wealth that houses this impressive temple. On the outskirts of the basilica is the Candelaria beach and the statues in honor of the Guanches.

The Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias is a large square located in the main Marian center of the Canary Islands (the Villa Mariana de Candelaria) on the island of Tenerife, (Spain). It is located next to the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria (Patron of the Canary Islands) and is the meeting place for pilgrims and celebrations of the most important festivities of the municipality. The Plaza de la Patron of the Canary Islands has the category of "Plaza de Interés Insular", given by the Cabildo de Tenerife at the end of the nineties, next to the Plaza de España (in the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife) and the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna (in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna).

The Cueva de Achbinico was after the conquest the first Christian sanctuary of the Canary Islands in importance and religious diffusion and historically it was also the first Marian sanctuary that existed in the archipelago. This cave dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria (Patron of the Canary Islands) and to San Blas, is located in Candelaria (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) just behind the Basilica of Our Lady of the Candlemas. In this cave, the Guanches worshiped this Marian image after Christianization. As a result, various archaeological tools from the Guanche era have appeared there, which is why the cave is also a place of great archaeological importance. It has the category of Asset of Cultural Interest, integrated in the Sanctuary of Candelaria.

The Parish of Santa Ana is the parent parish of the municipality of Candelaria in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the parent church of the parishes in the southeast of Tenerife. This construction dates from the year 1875. The image of Santa Ana is from the seventeenth century. House July 26 is celebrated the festival of Santa Ana, one of the most important of the municipality next to the feast of the Virgen de Candelaria and Virgen del Carmen Some details of the goldsmith's work in the temple are the canopy of the image of Santa Ana, which is completely made of silver, recently made in Seville, in 2010, by work of the brothers of Los Ríos.

The Espacio Cultural Ayuntamiento Viejo of the municipality of Candelaria is a space in which artistic-cultural activities take place throughout the year. In this place, in addition, activities of the Candelaria Popular University (UPCAN), as well as exhibitions of traveling paintings and sculptures are carried out. In this location is also located the Department of Culture of the City of Candelaria.

Pottery has been an activity linked to the municipality of Candelaria for centuries. The Centro Alfarero "Casa de las Miquelas" continues to keep alive the tradition of ceramics in the municipality. It is located in a traditional rehabilitated house and owes its name to the last two potters in the neighborhood of Santa Ana, where the Center itself is located. It has three exhibition halls in which the traditional trades of the municipality are described, as well as a collection of vessels and traditional clothing and a workshop in which traditional pottery and all its production process are still being worked on.

Araya is a population entity belonging to the municipality of Candelaria, on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). The main population centers of this town are La Florida and Araya. Much of its land is on a large area included in the protected natural space of the Corona Forestal Natural Park and on the Mount of Public Utility Fayal, Valle and Chafa. Its festivities are celebrated in honor of San Juan Bautista in June, with the "enrame" of the saint, and Santa Rita in October, religious and popular acts were celebrated in both cases. The saints San Isidro Labrador and Santa Maria de la Cabeza are also celebrated every last Sunday of the month of May, with a popular pilgrimage in the area of Monte de los Brezos.

Barranco Hondo is one of the population entities of the municipality of Candelaria (Canarias, Spain), located in the upper part of the municipality, bordering the municipality of The Rosary. Some of its main festivities are San José and Virgen de los Dolores. One of its attractions is the viewpoint of El Picacho from which you can see part of the Recreative Port of Radazul and the Tabaiba area, both belonging to the neighboring municipality of El Rosario .

The Hermitage of San Blas was in its day the stay of the first venerated image of the Virgin of Candelaria, which disappeared from this location after a strong storm of sea . This milestone marked the construction of the current Basilica of the Patroness of the Canary Islands. At present, the hermitage has the images of San Blas and a replica of the Virgin of Candelaria that was before the storm. The roof of the hermitage is dome-shaped and is located on the shore of the sea. Its measurements are 14 meters long by 6 wide and 5 meters high. At present, on the outside it has a masonry work that gives it the shape of a hermitage while the back part is inside live stone.

This place in the municipality includes the most dynamic and commercial part of the municipality. The entire Rambla de los Menceyes has shops of all kinds until you reach the Punta Larga area. Parallel to the commercial area is the Paseo Marítimo, with an important area of restoration of the municipality. One of the attractions of Las Caletillas is its coast and beaches, recently renovated, which are enjoyed every day by the local population and visitors.

Igueste is another of the population entities that make up the municipality of Candelaria, located between the towns of Barranco Hondo and Araya. Its main festivities are celebrated in the month of August, in honor of the Santísima Trinidad. In addition, this town has a space for professional Canary wrestling practice and a viewpoint in the area known as La Vera, among other attractions.

The Playa de la Hornilla is an urban beach, with black sand frequented by bathers in the area since, from the main roads, its access is not visible. To get there, there is a steep ramp that leads to the beach, at the bottom of it. The beach is 50 meters long and 22 meters wide and is usually an area of strong waves. At the top of it, there is a small square equipped with an urban gym and swings for children.

Espacio para el esparcimiento de los jóvenes del municipio donde, además, se encuentra la Concejalía de Cultura y se desarrollan actividades lúdicas y culturales.

La alfarería ha sido una actividad ligada al municipio de Candelaria desde hace siglos. El Centro Alfarero "Casa de las Miquelas" sigue manteniendo viva la tradición de la cerámica en el municipio. Se encuentra ubicado en una casa tradicional rehabilitada y debe su nombre a las dos últimas alfareras del barrio de Santa Ana, en el que se encuentra el propio Centro. Cuenta con tres salas de exposición en las que se describen los oficios tradicionales del municipio, así como una colección de vasijas y vestimenta tradicional y un taller en el que se sigue trabajando la alfarería tradicional y todo su proceso de producción.