The story began around 1725, when an extraordinary sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, created by the renowned Genoese sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano, arrived in Tenerife. Its arrival coincided with a period of profound transformation for the island. Following the volcanic eruption that destroyed the historic port of Garachico, maritime trade shifted towards new commercial centres, particularly Puerto de la Cruz. This economic and social transition fostered the growth of communities whose livelihoods depended almost entirely on the sea.
Among these settlements was La Ranilla, a neighbourhood inhabited by fishermen and sailors whose work proved essential to the operation of the port and the prosperity of the Orotava Valley. It was these seafaring families who first embraced the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with exceptional devotion and carried her to the former town of Realejo Bajo, establishing a spiritual tradition that has endured for nearly three centuries.
Devotion to the image spread rapidly. Around 1750, only twenty-five years after its arrival on the island, the sailors of Puerto de la Cruz made a solemn vow to honour the Virgin by carrying her in procession every Sunday within the Octave of her feast. Although documentary evidence confirms that acts of worship had already taken place years earlier, this promise formally established a celebration that has continued uninterrupted ever since. To this day, it is commemorated on the last Sunday of July, remaining one of the most cherished religious events in northern Tenerife.
The survival of this centuries-old tradition has been anything but accidental. Throughout its history, the devotion has overcome numerous challenges that threatened its continuity. Fires that damaged the convents where the image was safeguarded, the effects of the nineteenth-century ecclesiastical confiscations, periods of limited institutional support, and the gradual decline of traditional fishing activities all posed significant obstacles. Yet none of these hardships weakened the determination of the Ranilleros, who faithfully renewed their vow year after year, preserving the legacy inherited from their ancestors.
Their unwavering commitment has safeguarded a celebration rich in symbolism, emotion, and cultural significance. Each year, sailors from Puerto de la Cruz and residents of Los Realejos come together once again in a shared expression of faith that extends far beyond its religious meaning. The procession has become an essential element of the region's historical identity and intangible cultural heritage, bringing together successive generations united by a tradition that has adapted to changing times while remaining true to its origins.
The influence of this devotion eventually spread far beyond the Orotava Valley. Over time, both the artistic prestige of Maragliano's masterpiece and the growing popularity of its cult inspired new representations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel throughout the Canary Islands. Celebrated sculptors such as Fernando Estévez and Luján Pérez drew inspiration from this iconic image when creating their own works, helping to extend Carmelite devotion across the archipelago. Later, the emergence of tourism in Puerto de la Cruz and the migration of many families from Los Realejos to other parts of Tenerife further contributed to the establishment of new chapels and religious celebrations dedicated to the Virgin.
Today, the story of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Los Realejos remains a remarkable testament to the profound relationship between faith and maritime life in the Canary Islands. It demonstrates that the official recognition granted by the Spanish Navy at the beginning of the twentieth century merely confirmed a devotion that had already been deeply rooted among the island's seafaring communities for more than 150 years. Nearly three centuries after the arrival of the image in Tenerife, La Guapa Genovesa continues to represent protection, identity, hope, and an enduring spiritual beacon for all those whose lives have long been shaped by the sea.
