From this Wednesday, July 15, until Sunday, July 19, five brotherhoods will take the Virgen del Carmen through the streets and river in one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Andalusian capital.
The Virgen del Carmen de Calatrava will kick off the grand Carmelite week in Seville this Wednesday, July 15, with its traditional river procession. The image will depart at 19:30 from its chapel on Calle Calatrava and head to the dock at the Puente de la Barqueta to navigate the Guadalquivir dock. After the river segment, it will return to dry land around 22:00 and continue with a public rosary through the streets surrounding the Alameda de Hércules. The entry into the chapel is scheduled for 23:30, at which point Moisés Ruz, the herald of the Glories of Seville 2026, will offer the traditional Salutation to the Virgin.
Thursday 16: liturgical festivity at Santa Catalina
On Thursday, July 16, the main day of the Virgen del Carmen, it will be the turn of the Virgen del Carmen de Santa Catalina. The procession will begin at 21:00 from the church of Santa Catalina and will traverse the historic centre until 01:30. The route will include squares such as Terceros, San Marcos, and San Román, as well as iconic streets like Doña María Coronel, Dueñas, Feria, and Sol. The brotherhood expects a large turnout of faithful on one of the most significant nights of the Seville cofrade calendar.
Friday 17: the Virgen del Puente returns to Triana and the river
On Friday, July 17, the Virgen del Carmen del Puente will depart from the Chapel of Our Lady of the Star in Triana at 19:00. As is tradition, the procession will include a river segment along the Guadalquivir near Calle Betis. Afterwards, it will pass through streets such as Pureza, Rodrigo de Triana, and Alfarería, before returning to its chapel at 00:15. The residents of the Triana neighbourhood will be able to enjoy one of the most unique sights of the week: the Virgin on the river.
Saturday 18: La Macarena welcomes the Virgen del Carmen de San Gil
On Saturday, July 18, the Virgen del Carmen de San Gil will depart at 20:00 from the parish of San Gil Abad. The route will take her through Sagunto, Parras, and Relator to Calle Macarena, where a visit to the atrium of the Basilica of Hope Macarena is planned. After this emotional encounter, the procession will continue through San Luis to return to its headquarters at 00:00. The devotees of La Macarena will thus have a double appointment with Carmelite tradition.
Sunday 19: a grand finale with the triumphant procession of Calatrava
The week will culminate on Sunday, July 19, with the triumphant procession of Our Lady of Carmen de Calatrava. The image will depart at 19:50 from its chapel and will traverse the Alameda de Hércules, Lumbreras, and Santa Clara, with a visit to the Monastery of San Clemente. The return is expected around midnight, after passing through the streets Arte de la Seda and Jesús del Gran Poder. This procession marks the grand finale of five days of fervour that each year brings together thousands of Sevillians.
For the residents of the capital, these processions are much more than a religious act: they are an opportunity to reconnect with the neighbourhood, with traditions, and with the river that gives identity to the city. The Brotherhood of Carmen de Calatrava, for example, keeps alive the river tradition that has centuries of history in Seville. Traffic disruptions and crowds are guaranteed, but so is the festive atmosphere that characterises these dates. Anyone wanting to enjoy the grand week of Carmen in Seville already has schedules and routes to ensure they don't miss a detail.
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