Torregarcía Pilgrimage

The Torregarcía Pilgrimage commemorates the appearance of the image of the Virgen del Mar, patron saint of Almería, on Torregarcía beach, next to the watchtower that gives the place its name, in December 1502. The Gothic-style carving was taken to the Dominican convent of Santo Domingo in the city centre, where it has been venerated ever since in what is now the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Mar.

Devotion grew quickly: a confraternity devoted to Our Lady of the Sea is already recorded in 1520, the origin of today's Brotherhood, and in 1806 the Virgin was officially declared patron saint of Almería. She was canonically crowned in 1951.

Every January the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Mar organises the pilgrimage with the support of the City Council. The image leaves its sanctuary in the morning, travels to the chapel built beside the beach near Retamar and returns to the city in the afternoon, stopping at the churches of the eastern districts before being carried on shoulders through the historic centre.

The day begins with the pilgrims' Mass at the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Mar in the historic centre. Most of the celebration takes place on Torregarcía beach, in the east of the municipality near Retamar, where the watchtower and the Virgin's chapel stand. In the afternoon the image returns to the city through El Alquián, Costacabana, La Cañada, El Puche, Los Molinos and Barrio Alto, and from San Sebastián square it is carried on shoulders along Puerta de Purchena, calle de las Tiendas, plaza Flores and plaza de San Pedro to plaza Virgen del Mar.

On the day Surbus runs a special bus line to Torregarcía from the city centre, via the carretera de Ronda or via avenida Cabo de Gata. Drivers can reach the area from the motorway, along the coast road through Costacabana or through El Alquián; vehicles over 3,500 kg may not go beyond the end of the Retamar seafront promenade, and access from the Cabo de Gata road is reserved for emergency services, buses and authorised vehicles.

Thousands of people spend the day on the beach with family or friends. Traditional dishes such as rice and migas are shared, there is dancing and folk music by the Agrupación Folklórica Alcazaba, horse riding and stalls selling coffee, hot chocolate and churros. It is customary to exchange New Year greetings and to sing the Salve to the Virgin.

At midday the bishop celebrates Mass at the chapel, after which pilgrims can venerate the image for a few hours before it sets off back. In the evening, in plaza Virgen del Mar, the Salve is sung once more before the patron saint returns to her sanctuary.