Fiestas in honour of the patron saint of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Agüimes
Every year, during the month of September, the Fiestas Patronales de Nuestra Señora del Rosario begin, in which everyone shares in the devotion to the Virgin, both in the church and in the streets of the town, thus maintaining its identity.
What does the festival consist of?
The Fiestas del Rosario in Agüimes begin on the penultimate Saturday of September, with the Subida del Millo, which consists of the movement of all the inhabitants to the mills, carrying pine cones and starting the shelling to take the grain to the mills.
The grain taken to the mills will return to the village on the following Saturday, in what is known as the "Traída del Gofio y el Agua" (Bringing of the Gofio and Water). On this day there is another journey to the mills of Lolita and Ananías.
On the way back, the participants hand out gofio in a musical atmosphere, and the villagers throw buckets full of water from the roofs of the houses.
The first Saturday in October is the Day of the Pilgrimage and Offering to the Virgin, in which the participants wear traditional Canarian clothing and usually present carts pulled by oxen or donkeys and floats decorated with traditional motifs. This event ends with a fun-filled verbena (street party).
October 7th is the day of the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, for which a solemn mass is held in her honour, and on the following Thursday, the Procession of the Torches takes place, when the image of the Virgin, also known by the honorary title of Mayoress of Agüimes, walks through the streets of the old town.
During these festivities, the Encuentro en el casco, a special day that takes place in the historic quarter of Agüimes, where Canarian customs, traditional food and folklore are on display.
Origin of the Fiesta del Rosario in Agüimes
The town of Agüimes has had a strong devotion to the Virgin of the Rosary for more than 500 years, however, it was in 1646, when this town suffered from a strong plague of locusts, and they decided to entrust Our Lady of the Rosary for protection against this plague.
What else is there to see in Agüimes?
This town has some places worth visiting.
- Plaza del Rosario, surrounded by green areas and sculptures of historical figures of the town.
- Agüimes History Museum, in the old Episcopal Palace.
- Agüimes has spectacular beaches with transparent waters, impressive marine fauna just a few metres from the coast and the possibility of practising sports such as snorkelling, wind surfing and diving, among others.
- Hiking in the well-known ravines of Las Vacas and Guayadeque.
Gastronomy
This town has a delicious gastronomic tradition. You can try exquisite stews, mojos, fish, meat and, of course, desserts. On the other hand, you can't miss its wines and cheeses.
