Villajoyosa and the Día de la Virgen del Carmen
Villajoyosa
Villajoyosa is a coastal town on the Costa Blanca in Spain. It is only 6 kilometres from the popular seaside resort of Benidorm.
If you would like to sample the more typical way of life in Spain than Benidorm offers, Villajoyosa is an ideal place to visit.
Villajoyosa
Excellent Public Transport
Villajoyosa has much to offer its visitors though you will not find out what is going on in Villajoyosa from the town's own publicity.
It is a shame because situated just 6 kilometres from Benidorm it is easily accessible via public transport. The tram/train system and the buses run frequently between Benidorm and Villajoyosa.
The trip from Benidorm to Villajoyosa on either Bus or the tram will cost just over a euro.
Tram Station Villajoyosa
Fishing Fleet
If you had come on the 16th of July you would have seen our local fishermen and their families celebrating the Día de la Virgen del Carmen.
Villajoyosa is fortunate because it still has a fishing fleet. If you live down near the port you will hear the engines of the fishing boats roar into life most weekdays at around 4 am. Our fleet unfortunately, is not as big as it once was but it still provides a living for many of Villa's residents.
If you are down on the seafront on the days when the fleet is out you can tell when the fleet is on its way back in.
The cormorants and the seagulls start to take up their positions on the beach front. Usually the birds take up their positions around 3:30 pm, and as soon as the first boat comes into view the seagulls begin to stir.
Patron Saint of Fishermen
I digress, I was telling you about the Día de la Virgen del Carmen – Maris Stella. Translated into English it means the day of the Virgin of Mount Carmel – Star of the Sea.
The name la Virgen del Carmen – Maris Stella is one of the many names given to the Virgin Mary.
Pilgrims trying to follow in the footsteps of the Old Testament Prophet Elijah would ask for protection. It was the Virgin of Mount Carmel (the Virgin Mary) whom the pilgrims would invoke to protect them on their pilgrimage.
Over time, the Virgin del Carmen became known as the patrones and protector of fishermen and seamen everywhere.
Virgen del Carmen – Maris Stella
The Statue leaves the church
The Fishermen celebrate their patron Saint's day on July 16th. In coastal towns all over Spain, those who have anything to do with the sea will be taking part in the celebrations.
The celebrations begin in Villajoyosa at the Church, Esglesia de la Mare de Deu Del Carme. The name of the church is in Valenciano because it is still the spoken language of part of the population in Villajoyosa.
The Celebration starts with a service at the church, after which the young men will carry the statue of the Virgin out from the church where they will carry it on their shoulders down to the port.
The Statue Leaves the Church
Women and Children Lead the Procession
The women and children dressed in their red, white and blue costumes lead the procession. The children carrying a fishing net and the women carrying flowers.
The Women and Children Lead the Procession
The Procession Wends its Way Through the Streets
The procession leaves the church to wend its way through the town down to the Port.
Behind the women and children comes the statue on the shoulders of the menfolk. Following the statue are the priest and dignitaries. Next are the band and the townspeople.
In the photograph below is a representative of the Guardia Civil in his smart dress uniform with our Mayor.
Notice that the Guardia Civil representative is wearing the famous tricorne or Cavalier's hat and not the one worn normally worn on duty by the Guardia today.
It's the Women's Turn
As the procession nears the port it is the women's turn to carry the statue of the Virgin for a while.
The Procession Enters the Port
The procession enters the Port and processes alongside the bottom of the seawall towards the boats.
The Procession Enters the Port
Time to get Onboard
Finally, the Statue and the whole of the procession get onboard one of the small armada of boats.
It seems like if it floats it is taking part in this celebration.
There are boats of all shapes and sizes, ranging from small boats capable of carrying two or three people right up to one of the big trip boats.
Some of the boats are dressed for the occasion with bright bunting.
The Armada sets Sail
The Armada Returns to Port
The ceremony at sea took around twenty minutes and then the armada returned home to the safety of Villajoyosa's Port.
Safe in the knowledge that once again they had secured the protection of the Virgin for another year.
Our next Fiesta in Villajoyosa is the Moors and Christians which is a week long celebration that begins on July 24th.
The Armada Returns to Port
Ave Maris Stella
For your enjoyment the Ave Maris Stella sung by the Sisters of Mary
