Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Los Realejos) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
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Facade of the Shrine.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| District | Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna |
| Province | Archdiocese of Seville |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Marian shrine |
| Year consecrated | 1965 |
| Location | |
| Location | Los Realejos, Tenerife, Spain. |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Tomás Machado |
| Architectural type | church |
| Architectural style | Neoclassicism |
| Groundbreaking | 1955 |
| Completed | 1965 |
The Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (which is called Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Spanish) is a special Roman Catholic church. You can find it in Los Realejos, a town on the northern part of Tenerife island. Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands in Spain. This church is in the area known as San Agustín.
Many people think this shrine is the most important one dedicated to the Virgin Mary in northern Tenerife. It is a very special place for followers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She is seen as the protector of the nearby Orotava Valley.
History of the Shrine
Before the current church was built, there was an old building called the Convent of San Andrés and Santa Mónica. This convent belonged to a group of monks called the Augustinians. Sadly, on February 21, 1952, a big fire destroyed the convent.
After the fire, people decided to build a new church. On July 24, 1955, they held a special ceremony to bless the first stone of the new Shrine. A person named Tomás Machado designed the building in 1953. The new church was finally ready and opened for people to worship on July 25, 1965.
Special Events and Recognition
The image of the Virgin of Mount Carmel in the Shrine is very important. On July 18, 1982, this image was one of the first on the island to receive a special honor called a Canonical Coronation. This means it was officially recognized as very important by the church.
Since 1999, the Shrine and the area around it have been considered a place of cultural interest for the Canary Islands. This means it is protected because of its history and importance.
On July 25, 2015, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary since it was opened. During this celebration, the Bishop of the Diocese of Tenerife, Bernardo Álvarez Afonso, officially declared the building a "Shrine."
See also
In Spanish: Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Los Realejos) para niños
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- Los Realejos
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel
