The pilgrimage of San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza in La Orotava has become a ritual of deep respect for tradition, reviving the romero walk that began in 1936. This Sunday, over 30,000 people gathered in the Tenerife town to participate in an edition marked by cloudy but festive weather.
The event, which officially started at 1:30 PM from San Francisco, reaches its peak with the departure of the images of San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza from the church of La Concepción. This solemn moment, accompanied by farmers and a fanfare, generates great emotion among devotees.
Approximately 70 carts, meticulously decorated, paraded through the steep streets of the historic center, culminating their journey at El Calvario. The images of the saints closed the procession, allowing many pilgrims, like Conchi Díaz, to accompany them on a reverse route to enjoy the festival fully.
The pilgrimage also serves as a showcase of Canarian culture, with folklore groups performing traditional music and pilgrims sharing local delicacies. The cart shaped like a wine press, meticulously maintained for over 30 years by its participants, exemplifies the commitment to the festival.
The celebration reflects a balance between preserving roots and adapting to modern times. Groups of young people, dressed in the traditional attire of La Orotava, combine traditional clothing with elements of their own style, advocating for diversity and personal evolution while respecting tradition.
