Every year, residents of Puerto de la Cruz on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife carry a statue of the Virgen del Carmen from its chapel to a beach at the harbour.
Men carry the statue of Virgen del Carmen to Puerto de la Cruz dock on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain.Getty
Huge crowds watch as the statue is placed onto a fishing boat – the Virgen del Carmen is the patron saint of fishermen.
The boat carrying the statue then makes a short journey along the island coast before returning to the harbour, accompanied by a flotilla of small boats.
Penitents carry the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, from its chapel.AFPCrowds watch as the Virgen del Carmen statue is loaded onto a boat.GettyThousands of people watch as the brotherhood transfer the Virgen del Carmen statue onto a boat.GettyDoves are released as the Virgen del Carmen statue leaves Puerto de la Cruz dock for its journey by boat.GettyThe crown of the Virgen del Carmen statue is seen as its is placed onto the New Saint Ramon boat.GettyFishermen sing to their patron saint as they wait to unload the Virgen del Carmen statue.GettySpectators crowd onto balconies and the roof of an apartment block to watch the festivities.GettyPeople wait the Virgen del Carmen statue to be loaded onto a boat.GettyA man decorates his balcony with fishing objects surrounding a picture of the Virgen de la Cruz.GettyThe New Saint Ramon boat is surrounded by an entourage of small boats as it leaves Puerto de la Cruz dock with the Virgen del Carmen statue on board.Getty
