The Virgen Del Carmen

Yesterday July 16th was the day of the Virgen Del Carmen, in Spain.
This day is celebrated around Spain but specifically in the coastal areas as the Virgen Del Carmen, also known as the Stella Maris, is the star of the sea.

She is the patron of fishermen and also of the Spanish navy and stories are told about superstitious sailors in history, refusing to go to sea until it had been blessed by the Virgen.

For years Spaniards have followed the tradition of carrying the local statue of Carmen in a procession through the streets of town or village, ending at the sea. Here the Virgen is launched out to sea on a boat decked with flowers.

A celebration in Spain is not worth noting if it does not have some kind of pyrotechnics involved and the Virgen is put to sea amid a backdrop of fireworks.