El Médano Celebrates the Barquera Pilgrimage Honoring Our Lady of Las Mercedes

Thousands of devotees participated in the 19th edition of the festival, which included land and sea processions, concluding with a popular street party.

Traditional religious procession in El Médano with the image of Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja.
IA

Traditional religious procession in El Médano with the image of Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja.

The district of El Médano celebrated its 19th edition of the Barquera Pilgrimage this Sunday in honor of Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja, bringing together thousands of people for a day of devotion and celebration.

The festival began with a mass and the traditional solidarity offering, with collected food items to be distributed by Cáritas. Afterward, the celebration kicked off with the participation of dancers from El Hierro who accompanied the patron saint's image from the church along the main avenue to the central beach.
At the beach, boatmen embarked the virgin for a maritime procession along the bay, a central act of this emblematic pilgrimage. The day was marked by the devotion and religiosity of the thousands of attendees.
The celebration concluded with a large popular street party featuring music from the orchestras Dorada Band, Sonora Olimpia, Malibu Band, Maquinaria Band, and Tropin, bringing a festive end to the day.
The events honoring the patron saint will continue next Thursday, September 24th, the feast day itself. Starting at 8:30 PM, a solemn mass will be held, followed by the procession of the Candles and, to conclude, a hot chocolate distribution.
Based on information from the official source: Ayuntamiento de Granadilla de Abona (20/09/2026)