Sitges Tourism

Mare de Déu Carme (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Feast day in honour of the patron saint of seafarers

This is a traditional seafaring festival celebrated on 16 July during which the boats of Sitges leave from Port d’Aiguadolç in a procession until they are across from the cemetery, where they make a floral offering in  memory of deceased fishers and seafarers.

 

The origins of this festival can be found in a legend which said that Our Lady saved an English vessel which was in the midst of a terrible storm. Out of desperation, one of the sailors started to pray, tore off the scapulary of the Carmelite order and threw it into the sea, causing the storm to stop immediately.
The spread of this legend apparently contributed to solidifying Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s patronage of sailors and seafarers.

Date

July 16th

  • Festival
  • 8 Mare de Deu Carme

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