Basilica of Candelaria
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of the Royal Marian Shrine of the Our Lady of Candelaria ( or simply ) is a Roman catholic minor basilica
, the first Marian shrine of the Canary Islands
, located in the municipality and city of Candelaria on the island of Tenerife
(Canary Islands, Spain
). It is located c. 20 km (12.4 mi) south of the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
.
The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria
(Patron of the Canary Islands). The Basilica of Candelaria is the category of cultural interest, declared as such by the Government of the Canary Islands. The basilica was designed by architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado.
of Menceyato de Güímar
(pre-Hispanic kingdom). One evening, two natives who were leading his cattle, saw as some goats they were refusing to happen on having come to the mouth of the ravine, there went forward one of them thinking that there were people who they wanted to steal and they found, on a rock, the Holy Image of the Virgin of Candelaria
(declared principal patron of the Canary Islands with posteriority).
The image was found in a beach near to Candelaria, initially the image was moved to Cueva de Chinguaro
, which was the palace of the King of Menceyato de Güímar
. But later same guanches moved her to Cueva de Achbinico
in Candelaria, and there it was venerated since then. At first aboriginal identified with the appearance of their goddess Chaxiraxi
(the mother of the gods), but later the Christian conquerors explained that the image was the Virgin Mary. Later a hermitage was constructed. In 1596, King Philip III
was declared protector of the Virgin of Candelaria
. The Spanish monarch after ascending the throne, gave the title "Royal" to the Sanctuary of the Candelaria. Therefore, it is also the first sanctuary in the Canary Islands
to receive that title.
Later a church was constructed, the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is a building that can house up to 5,000 people. Construction began in 1949 and was completed in 1959. The church was built over an old church that was destroyed by fire in 1789. However, the actual construction of the temple were postponed several times for various reasons: the economic crisis of 1931 following the proclamation of the Second Republic
and later by the Spanish Civil War
and World War II
.
Finally, the bishop of Tenerife, Domingo Pérez Cáceres promoted the construction of a large temple commissioning the architect Jose Enrique Marrero Regalado. The new sanctuary would be a neo-Canarian eclectic mix of all styles that have occurred in the Canary Islands. Several donations came from all the islands, the basilica would take almost a decade to finish. Finally, on February 1, 1959 the basilica was consecrated in a large religious ceremony. Nowadays Candelaria is the principal catholic
center of peregrination of the Canary Islands and one of the principal ones of Spain
, the basilica hosts more than 2,5 million visitors annually.
Among the most significant figures who have visited the basilica include heads of state or government, as well as the most prominent figures of the Church, Military, Politics, Sports, Art, etc. Among them occupy an honored role of the current King of Spain, Juan Carlos I de Borbón and Sofia of Greece, who visited while still being princes and then, like kings, in 1977.
The church holds the title and dignity of a minor basilica
, bestowed upon it by Pope Benedict XVI
on 24 January 2011. That title was officially celebrated on 2 February of that year, coinciding with the feast of Candlemas.
Another feature of the basilica are the mural
paintings that are mostly found on the altar. These paintings usually represent angels and other canarian saints who were devotees of the Virgin of Candelaria
. Above the altar is where the image of the Virgin.
(Patron of the Canary Islands) the day of her festival. Also, every February 2, pilgrims came to the basilica to celebrate the liturgical feast of Candlemas.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is open every day of the year, both in morning and afternoon. The opening of the basilica and masses celebrated in it are the following:
Basilica: open Monday
to Friday
from 07:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:30 h. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 07:30 to 19:30 h.
Masses: Monday through Saturday
at 08:00 and 18:00 h. Sunday
s and holidays at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 18:00 h. You can also access the camarín of the Virgin of Candelaria after each mass
.
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
, the first Marian shrine of the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, located in the municipality and city of Candelaria on the island of Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
(Canary Islands, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
). It is located c. 20 km (12.4 mi) south of the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital , second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 222,417 in 2009...
.
The basilica is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria
Virgin of Candelaria
The cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
(Patron of the Canary Islands). The Basilica of Candelaria is the category of cultural interest, declared as such by the Government of the Canary Islands. The basilica was designed by architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado.
History
On 1390, Candelaria was a solitary and desert place that the shepherds were frequenting guanchesGuanches
Guanches is the name given to the aboriginal Berber inhabitants of the Canary Islands. It is believed that they migrated to the archipelago sometime between 1000 BCE and 100 BCE or perhaps earlier...
of Menceyato de Güímar
Menceyato de Güímar
Güímar was one of nine menceyatos guanches that was divided island of Tenerife at the time of the arrival of the Castilian conquerors...
(pre-Hispanic kingdom). One evening, two natives who were leading his cattle, saw as some goats they were refusing to happen on having come to the mouth of the ravine, there went forward one of them thinking that there were people who they wanted to steal and they found, on a rock, the Holy Image of the Virgin of Candelaria
Virgin of Candelaria
The cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
(declared principal patron of the Canary Islands with posteriority).
The image was found in a beach near to Candelaria, initially the image was moved to Cueva de Chinguaro
Cueva de Chinguaro
Cueva de Chinguaro is a cave located in Güímar on Tenerife . According to historians was the cave-palace of King guanche of menceyato de Güímar, Acaimo....
, which was the palace of the King of Menceyato de Güímar
Menceyato de Güímar
Güímar was one of nine menceyatos guanches that was divided island of Tenerife at the time of the arrival of the Castilian conquerors...
. But later same guanches moved her to Cueva de Achbinico
Cueva de Achbinico
Cueva de Achbinico, also so called Cave of San Blas, was after the conquest of the Canary Islands the first Christian sanctuary in religious significance and the first sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Canary Islands produced worship to the Virgin of Candelaria...
in Candelaria, and there it was venerated since then. At first aboriginal identified with the appearance of their goddess Chaxiraxi
Chaxiraxi
Chaxiraxi is the native goddess known as the Sun Mother in the Guanche religion. The goddess Chaxiraxi was one of the principal goddesses of the pantheon of the Guanches. Chaxiraxi was later associated with an alleged appearance circa 1400 or 1401 of the Virgin of Candelaria on Güímar, on the...
(the mother of the gods), but later the Christian conquerors explained that the image was the Virgin Mary. Later a hermitage was constructed. In 1596, King Philip III
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
was declared protector of the Virgin of Candelaria
Virgin of Candelaria
The cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
. The Spanish monarch after ascending the throne, gave the title "Royal" to the Sanctuary of the Candelaria. Therefore, it is also the first sanctuary in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
to receive that title.
Second Republic
-Europe:* French Second Republic * Second Polish Republic * Second Hellenic Republic * Second Spanish Republic * Portuguese Second Republic, known as Estado Novo * Czechoslovak Second Republic...
and later by the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Finally, the bishop of Tenerife, Domingo Pérez Cáceres promoted the construction of a large temple commissioning the architect Jose Enrique Marrero Regalado. The new sanctuary would be a neo-Canarian eclectic mix of all styles that have occurred in the Canary Islands. Several donations came from all the islands, the basilica would take almost a decade to finish. Finally, on February 1, 1959 the basilica was consecrated in a large religious ceremony. Nowadays Candelaria is the principal catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
center of peregrination of the Canary Islands and one of the principal ones of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the basilica hosts more than 2,5 million visitors annually.
Among the most significant figures who have visited the basilica include heads of state or government, as well as the most prominent figures of the Church, Military, Politics, Sports, Art, etc. Among them occupy an honored role of the current King of Spain, Juan Carlos I de Borbón and Sofia of Greece, who visited while still being princes and then, like kings, in 1977.
The church holds the title and dignity of a minor basilica
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
, bestowed upon it by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 24 January 2011. That title was officially celebrated on 2 February of that year, coinciding with the feast of Candlemas.
Interior of the basilica
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
paintings that are mostly found on the altar. These paintings usually represent angels and other canarian saints who were devotees of the Virgin of Candelaria
Virgin of Candelaria
The cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
. Above the altar is where the image of the Virgin.
- The CamarínCamarínA Camarín is a shrine or chapel set above and behind the High altar in a church, but still visible from the body of the church. They are especially found in Spain and Portugal, and throughout Latin America...
de la Virgen de Candelaria, a room just behind the altar, is the location of the wooden statue of the Virgin of CandelariaVirgin of CandelariaThe cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
. It is opened after massMass (liturgy)"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
. - The Capilla del Sagrario is located next to the sacristy, features a mural depicting the Last SupperLast SupperThe Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
of Jesus with his apostles, by José Aguiar. Also found in the chapel windows with scenes from the apparition of the Virgin to the Guanches. - The Capilla del Cristo de la Reconciliación was blessed on April 19, 1996. It features an image of the crucified Christ made by artist Ricardo Rivera Martínez in 1936. The Chapel of the Holy Christ of Reconciliation is the penitential chapel of the basilica, dedicated to the confessions.
- The Sala de las Velas next to the main entrance to the basilica. Takes its name from offerings of candles and flowers placed inside the faithful. Over the living room table of the Canonical Coronation of the Virgin of Candelaria. In the room there are phrases that tell the story of the Virgin and her temple.
Festivity and schedule
Every 14 and 15 August this basilica houses pilgrims who come to celebrate the Virgin of CandelariaVirgin of Candelaria
The cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
(Patron of the Canary Islands) the day of her festival. Also, every February 2, pilgrims came to the basilica to celebrate the liturgical feast of Candlemas.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is open every day of the year, both in morning and afternoon. The opening of the basilica and masses celebrated in it are the following:
Basilica: open Monday
Monday
Monday is the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday. According to international standard ISO 8601 it is the first day of the work week. According to the Islamic and Hebrew calendars, Sunday is the first day of the week...
to Friday
Friday
Friday is the day between Thursday and Saturday. In countries adopting Monday-first conventions as recommended by the international standard ISO 8601, it is the fifth day of the week. It is the sixth day in countries that adopt a Sunday-first convention as in Abrahamic tradition...
from 07:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:30 h. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 07:30 to 19:30 h.
Masses: Monday through Saturday
Saturday
Saturday is the day of the week following Friday and preceding Sunday.Saturday is the last day of the week on many calendars and in conventions that consider the week as beginning on Sunday, or the sixth day of the week according to international standard ISO 8601 which was first published in...
at 08:00 and 18:00 h. Sunday
Sunday
Sunday is the day of the week between Saturday and Monday. For most Christians, Sunday is observed as a day for worship of God and rest, due to the belief that it is Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection....
s and holidays at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 18:00 h. You can also access the camarín of the Virgin of Candelaria after each mass
Mass
Mass can be defined as a quantitive measure of the resistance an object has to change in its velocity.In physics, mass commonly refers to any of the following three properties of matter, which have been shown experimentally to be equivalent:...
.
See also
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La LagunaRoman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La LagunaThe Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna also called; Diocese of Tenerife or Diocese Nivariense is a diocese located in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in the Canary Islands in the Ecclesiastical province of Sevilla in Spain. The diocese includes the islands of Tenerife, La...
- Virgin of CandelariaVirgin of CandelariaThe cult of the Virgin of Candelaria or Our Lady of Candelaria , popularly called La Morenita, celebrates an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands . The center of worship is located in the city of Candelaria in Tenerife. She is depicted as a Black Madonna...
- Cathedral of La LagunaCathedral of La LagunaThe Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna or Catedral de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is a Catholic cathedral in Tenerife, Spain. Begun in 1904 and completed in 1915, it is dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios...
- Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La LagunaReal Santuario del Cristo de La LagunaReal Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna is a Catholic church located in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife...