On July 16th of every year, the Fiesta del Carmen – also called Nuestra Señora del Carmen or Virgen del Carmelo - patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated in almost any port along the Spanish littoral, and also in many of Mallorca's coastal towns. To pay homage to the Lady, thousands of locals and visitors take to the sea on that day, following a fishing barge carrying her statue, praying for safe waters and a good catch in the year to come.
What a sight to behold – the boats going out are lovingly decorated, and the ports are alight with torches. The biggest fiestas on the island are in Port Andratx, Porto Cristo and Cala Ratjada. Don't miss the procession in which the Virgin is carried from church to port (starts at about 7 to 7.30 p.m.). In Cala Ratjada, you are in for an extra highlight: there are fireworks at 10 p.m.
By Ulla Rahn-Huber
16 July, 2023
