The brotherhoods of the Puente de Triana and the Holy Angel took their images to the streets this Friday, a day after the feast day of the Virgin of Carmen. The river procession from Triana and the route through the city centre were the highlights.
Friday, July 17, brought two of the most awaited processions of the Seville summer: the Virgin of Carmen from Triana and the Holy Angel. Both Marian images paraded through the city streets, gathering faithful and tourists in an atmosphere of fervour and summer heat.
River procession from Triana
At seven in the evening, the doors of the chapel of the Star opened to welcome the Virgin of Carmen from the Triana bridge. This year, the departure was exceptional from the canonical seat of the brotherhood of Palm Sunday, due to works on Calle Castilla. The procession went through San Jacinto and Altozano, with the Salteras music band playing the hymn of Carmen, before entering the festooned Calle Betis.
From the Triana slipway, the image boarded to carry out the traditional river procession. The Guadalquivir River became the backdrop for a unique scene, with the Virgin sailing under the bridges while brotherhood members and onlookers watched from both banks. More than a hundred boats accompanied the procession, according to sources from the brotherhood.
After the crossing, the Virgin returned to dry land to continue her procession through the more central streets of Triana, in a prelude to the Velá de Santa Ana that will begin in the coming days.
The Holy Angel, in the heart of the Centre
Not far away, but on the other side of the river, the Virgin of Carmen from the Holy Angel set out an hour later from the convent church on Calle Rioja. The Carmelite community maintains this event every July 17, and this year was no exception. The image, accompanied by the Oliva band, toured the area around Plaza Nueva and Calle Zaragoza, surprising numerous tourists who stopped to witness the procession.
This year's procession featured floral decorations in Vatican colours, combining white and yellow roses, tulips, gladioli, and nard, in homage to the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain. Additionally, a dress embroidered in gold on red velvet for the Child Jesus was unveiled, donated by a devotee.
The procession advanced under the awnings of the Centre while the sun still shone, and the warm night accompanied the return of the Virgin through the narrow streets around Molviedro. More than 3,000 people followed the route, according to estimates from the brotherhood.
For the Sevillians, these processions are a tradition that marks the beginning of the brotherhood summer. The Virgin of Carmen is the patron saint of sailors, and her connection to the Guadalquivir River is particularly symbolic in Triana, the quintessential maritime neighbourhood. The river procession, which was revived years ago, has established itself as one of the most emotional events on the calendar.
Tourists, for their part, discover a lesser-known Seville, away from Holy Week but equally devout. The City Council of Seville has highlighted the success of the day, which took place without incidents and with a notable influx of public.
For those who missed it, there are still summer events: the Virgin of Carmen from Calle Rioja also processes in other towns in the province, such as San Juan de Aznalfarache or Gelves, where local brotherhoods keep their traditions alive.
You may also like
