Hotel Bahía Tropical

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Antigua

by amapola66

We have enjoyed this August fiesta for Almunecar's patron saint a few times now. It is incredibly well organised in the usual chilled-out style and fashion of the region.

The week long fiesta is usually in the 2nd week of August, (book early if you want a hotel room) and work out where you're going to park. Paid underground parking on seafront is secure and worth it for a short stay.

The hightlight of this fiesta which lasts all week, is the Día de la Asunción (Assumption), known locally as el Día de la Virgen. The (extremely heavy) Virgin is taken carried by local men in a procession from the church to the seafront taking some time and then put on a boat which leaves from San Cristóbal beach and then sails around the rocks the rocks to the main city beach accompanied by other little fairy lit boats, it really is a lovely vision as she comes into view.

When the Virgin's boat arrives at the beach, the fireworks spectacular begins. It's an excellent display with a 'volcano', the usual fireworks fired from beach and sea and pyrotechnic displays from the castle. You just don't know where to look as there is so much going on! I've seen a few firework displays in Spain over the years, but this has to be the best yet. It is extremely loud mind you, so good to warn smaller children just in case they are frightened.

Best viewing is from balconied apartments on the seafront, the promenade itself, or the beach. The event is relaxed, the cafes are busy but not nightmarish at all, so those with small people can use the loos and when it is over, there is a polite round of applause and the 130,000 + audience drift amicably off from whence they came. The next day, everything is miraculously cleared up and not a sign of the previous days spectacular event.

Afterwards, any people go on to the feria tents and fairground to party into the early hours - See you there this August :-)