Candelaria
CATHEDRAL OF CANDELARIA AND CONVENT OF LOS DOMINICOS
Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, 2
38530 Candelaria
Tel.: (+34) 922 500 100 (Convent)
(+34) 922 500 800 - 04 (Town Hall)
Visiting Hours
Monday Morning: Closed
Weekdays, from Tuesday to Sunday from 7.30 to 19.30 hrs. (open all day)
Mass Schedule
Sundays and holy days of obligation: 8.00 - 10.00 - 12.00 and 18.00 hrs.
Tuesday-Saturday Mornings: 8.00 hrs.
Evenings Monday to Saturday: 18:00 hrs.
At the end of the 14th century, about one hundred years before Tenerife was conquered, a Gothic figure of the Virgen de Candelaria appeared on the coast of the Güimar valley; a figure that was worshipped by the Guanches and called Chaxiraxi (Lady of the World) by them. Ever since 1526, it has remained in the Sanctuary that the second Governor of the island , Pedro Fernández de Lugo, ordered built. The original figure disappeared in a land slide in 1826. The current figure is the work of local artist Fernando Estévez, who carved it in 1827.
The Cathedral was designed by Enrique Marrero Regalado, and built in 1959 on the initiative of Domingo Pérez Cáceres, bishop of Tenerife, and born in Güimar. The regional style building has three naves with imitation Mudejar style ceilings and a 25 m high dome that crowned by the cross. There is a 45 m high central tower with a Canary Island style balcony.
The chancel holds a figure of the Virgen de Candelaria, proclaimed Patron Saint of the Canary Islands in 1599 by Pope Clement VIII. This title was ratified by Pope Pious IX in 1867. Inside, the cathedral contains murals by José Aguiar and paintings by Martín González. Other works of art include: El Cristo Agonizante, a Baroque monstrance made in the Canary Islands in the 18th century and an historically valuable 16th century baptismal font.
Although the official festivities for Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria take place on 2nd of February, her appearance is celebrated on the 15th of August. This is when the faithful flock to the cathedral from all over the island. The Pilgrims´ Fountain is next to the church. Next to the cathedral is the convent of Los Dominicos, built in 1803 after the original building was destroyed in a fire. The convent is run by the Dominicans, who have been chaplains of La Candelaria since 1530.
Their chapel houses a museum which exhibits objects related to the history of the worship of the Virgen de Candelaria. Past the convent, you et to the Archibinico, or San Blas Cave, where the Guanches placed their Black Virgin, which for some researchers was of esoteric significance.
The sculptures "Los Nueve Menceyes Guanches" (the nine Guanche Menceys) is a series of large bronze sculptures by local artist José Abad, are next to the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias.
CHURCH OF SANTA ANA.
Tel.: (+34) 922 500 800 (Town Hall)
From the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, you can see the parish church of Santa Ana, a spacious, mid 18th century construction built over a 16th century church, with Mudejar inspired moulded ceilings and Canary Island School figures from the 17th and 18th centuries. The figure of the Crucifixion is 17th century and the church also conserves some interesting wood carvings of the Last Supper.
