On 13th September, Lanzarote will gather in the village of Mancha Blanca to celebrate the island’s only official miracle and pay tribute to the mysterious Lady of the Volcanoes.
Lanzarote’s official patron saint is San Marcial of Limoges, who was honoured by the French conquistadores who established the first cathedral on the island. But while Marcial is still honoured in Femés, he has long been eclipsed as Lanzarote’s most beloved patron by the Virgin of Los Dolores, also known on Lanzarote as Our Lady of the Volcanoes.
The reason for this dates back to 1736, when legend relates that the priest of Mancha Blanca thrust a cross into the earth as a river of lava approached Tinajo, begging for the aid of the virgin to stop it.
The lava stopped, and the villagers promised to build a church in honour of the virgin. However, they soon forgot their pledge until, several years later, a young shepherd girl reported being approached by a sad looking lady, who told her to remind the villagers of the promise. At first the girl was disbelieved, but a further visit in which she left her thumb-print on the girl’s head convinced them.
After being taken around local churches on a kind of identity parade for Virgin Marys, the girl identified her visitor as the Virgin of Los Dolores.
The church was built, and the image of the virgin helped protect the village from another lava flow in 1836. Our Lady of the Volcanoes is now the object of the island’s largest religious gathering – a romeria (pilgrimage) that takes place every September and attract thousands of islanders in traditional dress to Mancha Blanca.
HOW TO ENJOY LOS DOLORES
The Romería de Los Dolores is the only time of the year when people from every corner of Lanzarote gather in one place to celebrate their culture and their heritage.
It’s also a commitment – pilgrimages aren’t meant to be easy. Unless you’re very old, very young or have mobility problems, you’re expected to get there on foot for at least some of the way, and you’ll also need to invest in some traditional clothing.
But it’s worth it – the other timeless attraction of pilgrimages is the joy of arrival, a sense of deep satisfaction and achievement that permits you to enjoy the festivities to come. On the afternoon and evening of Saturday 13th September, the beautiful village of Mancha Blanca will be a joyful place.
It’s also an event where everyone is welcome, as long as they respect local customs and practices. One of those customs is wearing traditional dress.
The costumes worn are the traditional garb of field workers – long skirts, aprons and bonnets for women; high-waisted trousers, waistcoats, collarless shirts, sashes and bandannas for men. They’re available in several local shops in the weeks leading up to the pilgrimage, and also come in useful on Canary Day and other local fiestas.
Many roads around Mancha Blanca are closed on the day of the pilgrimage, so it’s worth planning your route well in advance.
But if you don’t wish to attend the pilgrimage itself, you can still find plenty of activities in Mancha Blanca in the days leading up to the pilgrimage. The small town becomes a centrepiece for folk music, food and drink and is the location for the island’s biggest craft fair.
CRAFTS ON SHOW
A statue of Doña Dorotea, the potter who created the famous figures known as The Lovers of El Mojón, stands in the main square of Mancha Blanca, announcing the villages importance to island crafters. And the annual craft fair at Mancha Blanca is an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in handicrafts.
Held in a large marquee, the fair presents more than 100 stalls where crafters of all types, from Lanzarote and the rest of the Canaries, proudly present their handiwork and offer items for sale.
DATES
Craft Fair
Weds 10th September, 5.30 pm -9.30 pm Thurs 11th – Mon 15th Sept, 10.30 am – 9.30 pm
Pilgrimage
Sat 13th September. Pilgrims enter the square at Mancha Blanca at 7pm.
Feast Day of Our Lady of Los Dolores
Mon 15th September
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