The municipality of Candelaria is commemorating the bicentennial of the 1826 flood, a historical event that profoundly marked the town. The program of events aims to bring citizens closer to one of the most relevant episodes for the municipality and to highlight the consequences that the storm had on both the natural environment and the religious and cultural heritage of the Villa.
The central focus of the program is the exhibition “Candelaria, 1826. Recuerdo y aliciente piadoso” (Candelaria, 1826. Memory and pious encouragement), which can be visited in the old Basilica from November 4th to February 3rd, 2027. The exhibition will be open from Monday to Friday, 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The official inauguration will take place on Monday, November 9th, at 11:00 AM, with the collaboration of the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands.
This Thursday, November 5th, at 6:00 PM, a conference dedicated to the 1826 flood will be held in the auditorium of the Espacio Cultural Punta Larga. The event will feature four presentations addressing different aspects of the historical event: Pedro Dorta Antequera will speak about the flood and its consequences; Miguel A. Noriega Agüero will analyze the storm and its effects in the Güímar Valley and Candelaria; Alejandro Hernández Pérez will delve into the original Virgin and her loss in 1826, and Mercedes Castellano Fariña will present the change in the ravine's course after the flood. The conference will be coordinated by the Tertulia Amigos del 25 de Julio.
On Friday the 6th, at 5:00 PM, a guided walking tour will take place through the El Encajonado ravine, the plaza of the Patroness of the Canary Islands, and will reach the Basilica. The departure point will be the cemetery parking lot, and prior registration is required with a cost of 1 euro through the tickety.es platform. This activity is also coordinated by the Tertulia Amigos del 25 de Julio.
Religious activities will also play a significant role in this commemoration. On Saturday the 7th, at 6:00 PM, a Eucharist will be celebrated in the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, presided over by the prior of the Convent and rector of the Basilica, fray Dailos José Melo González. Following this, at 6:45 PM, a conference titled “Para mayor desgracia. El aluvión de 1826 y la ruina del Convento de Candelaria” (For greater misfortune. The 1826 flood and the ruin of the Convent of Candelaria) will be held, delivered by Pablo Hernández Abreu, Doctor of Art History and curator of the exhibition.
On Sunday the 8th, at 12:00 PM, the Basilica will host a solemn Eucharist celebration, presided over by the bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Mons. Eloy Alberto Santiago Santiago, followed by an extraordinary procession of the Most Holy Virgin of Candelaria.
Finally, on Monday, November 9th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the Town Hall hall will be the venue for a commemorative postmark event for the bicentennial of the 1826 flood. Interested individuals will be able to get envelopes and stamps postmarked, which will also be available for purchase at the location and can be used for ordinary postal mail afterwards. The initiative is coordinated by the Philatelic Groups of the Valley and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
