Traffic Adjustments in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for Virgin of Candelaria’s Return

This Friday, Santa Cruz de Tenerife will experience significant traffic adjustments due to the farewell and return of the Virgin of Candelaria, as announced by local authorities.

The Virgin’s image will first be taken to Plaza de España for a farewell Eucharist before making its way back to the Basilica in Candelaria. The city council emphasized that the primary focus of security measures will be on the return route.

Procession Route Details

The procession is set to depart from the Church of La Concepción at approximately 19:00 hours. The route will include Santo Domingo, Candelaria, Imeldo Serís, General Gutiérrez, and La Marina, ultimately reaching Plaza de España.

Following the conclusion of the religious ceremony, the return procession is expected to start at 22:00 hours. The procession will feature stops and small events at various locations along Avenida Bélgica, Cruz del Señor, Cuesta Piedra, and near the Community of Dominican Mothers’ headquarters.

As the procession makes its way back, the image will travel from Plaza de España along La Marina, then proceed through General Gutiérrez, Bravo Murillo, San Sebastián, Avenida Bélgica, Avenida Islas Canarias, Santiago Beyro, Tinguaro, Manuel de Oraá, Arocha, Juan Rumeu García, and Cuesta Piedra. The route continues through Juan García Álvarez, Francisco Pizarro, the Santa Cruz-La Laguna road (TF-180), José Guezala Bignory, Elías Bacallado, Avenida Príncipes de España, the Rosario road, and finally along the general southern road (TF-28) to the municipal boundary at El Tablero.

Parking Restrictions in Effect

Parking restrictions will be enforced starting at 15:00 hours on Friday. No parking will be allowed on General Gutiérrez street, Plaza de España, Cabildo square car parks, and San Sebastián street from the Santa Cruz de la Sierra roundabout to Avenida La Salle.

At 17:00 hours, these restrictions will expand to include Avenida Bélgica and various segments of Santiago Beyro, Tinguaro, Manuel de Oraá, Arocha, Buenaventura Bonnet, Juan Rumeu García, Cuesta Piedra, Juan García Álvarez, Francisco Pizarro, a section of the Santa Cruz-La Laguna road, and part of Príncipes de España.

By 20:00 hours, parking will be prohibited on the general southern road (TF-28) from the Tíncer roundabout to the Barranco Grande roundabout heading south. These measures are intended to ensure the safety of the religious image and the accompanying procession.

Impact on Public Transport

The return of the Virgin of Candelaria will also affect urban bus services and those connecting Santa Cruz to other towns. However, these services will return to their normal routes once the procession has passed.

TITSA will operate a support bus for participants in the pilgrimage back to the basilica. This bus will follow the procession from the El Tablero crossing until the pilgrims have exited the TF-28, running from 00:00 to 12:00 the following day. It will include two spaces for individuals with reduced mobility (PRM), ensuring that all attendees can comfortably participate in the celebration.

Additionally, Metrotenerife’s Line 1 tram service will adjust its operations to accommodate the return pilgrimage. Service alterations will occur in sections coinciding with the procession’s route, particularly in the last stretch of Calle Imeldo Serís in the evening, with nighttime disruptions affecting Bravo Murillo and Avenida Islas Canarias. Early morning service will be impacted along Avenida Príncipes de España, El Rosario road, and Avenida de Taco.

Key points

• Traffic changes are scheduled for Santa Cruz de Tenerife this Friday due to the Virgin of Candelaria’s return.
• The procession will leave the Church of La Concepción at 19:00 hours and head to Plaza de España.
• The return procession is set to begin at 22:00 hours, with stops along Avenida Bélgica and other locations.
• Parking restrictions will start at 15:00 hours, affecting several key streets and roads.
• Public transport services, including buses and trams, will adjust their routes during the procession.
• A support bus for individuals with reduced mobility will operate during the pilgrimage.
• Service alterations for the tram will occur in areas coinciding with the procession’s passage.