Virgen del Pino Festival in Teror

September the 8th was another big day in the Fiesta calendar for Gran Canaria with the celebration of the Virgen del Pino, Patron Saint of Canary Islands. The festival marks the visitation of the Virgin Mary in 1481 on top of a pine tree to a group of shepards.

The waters at the base of the tree were said to have magical powers and in the 16th Century the image of the Virgin was taken to Las Palmas as it had been without rain. Today the festival combines a mixture of popular sentiment, faith, pilgrims and visitors who come to the ancient village of Teror in the Northern part of Gran Canaria. This year was also the 300th anniversary of the tower that holds the bell used to announce that the Virgin has left the Basilica. Sunday the 7th started with singing and dancing, plus a procession of gifts from each municipality on the island as well as those from surrounding islands. Almost everyone on the island visits the village at some point in September to pay their respects. The festival continues until October so if you are planning to visit soon, there is still time to visit Teror.