SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 13 Aug. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife will allow pilgrims to Candelaria via the Old Path and the TF-28 road on 14 August, the eve of the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, Patroness of the Canary Islands. However, due to the risk of forest fire, access to the mountains – especially the Crown Forest – and the TF-1 motorway will be prohibited for safety reasons.
The Old Path to Candelaria is a route of great historical and ethnographic value that corresponds to the ancient road linking the city of La Laguna with the coastal hub of Candelaria. For a long time, it was the main route connecting both locations. Since 1499, it has been recognised as an annual pilgrimage route associated with the devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria and her sanctuary, which has endured over the centuries.
The path runs through an agricultural landscape that transitions from the lush fields around La Laguna to the windy and increasingly arid slopes facing southeast, descending into the Güímar Valley. At the end of 2008, the five best-preserved sections of this path were declared Cultural Assets of Interest (BIC) with the category of Historic Site.
At 21.2 kilometres, this ancient royal path is linked to the cult of the Virgin of Candelaria, Patroness of the Canary Islands, becoming a pilgrimage route for the faithful and users since the 16th century. For centuries, it has been one of the references for the Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria celebrated on 15 August.
Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife (Titsa), the Cabildo’s transport company, will strengthen some of its services to facilitate the movement of pilgrims on the occasion of the Candelaria festivities on 14 and 15 August. Thus, all services in Candelaria will operate from Avenida de los Menceyes next to the old Station, from Thursday 14 August at 14:00 hours until Friday 15 August at 17:00 hours. As a result, stops from C/ Bélgica to Plaza de Teror will be out of service.
According to the planned measures, line 122, in addition to its usual route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Caletillas and Candelaria, will have its regular service reinforced according to the demand for passengers from 18:30 on 14 August until 23:00 on 15 August, aiming to facilitate mobility during these busy times in the municipality. Meanwhile, line 120 (Santa Cruz-Güímar, Candelaria, Puertito de Güímar) will have more departures from 17:25.
Furthermore, Titsa will provide a special service on line 522, which will operate the route La Laguna-Motorway-Candelaria, from 18:30 on Thursday 14 August to 21:30 on Friday 15 August. The last departure from Candelaria to La Laguna will be at 23:30 with the same route in both directions: La Laguna-North Motorway TF-5- Link Road TF-2, South Motorway TF-1-Candelaria.
Pilgrims wishing to start their journey on the General South Road will have several lines available throughout Thursday 14 August, operating on their regular schedules to connect in the following points: Santa Cruz-Cruce de La Cuesta: lines 014 and 228; Santa Cruz-Cruce de Taco: lines 232, 233, 934, 936, 937 and 238; and Santa Cruz-Canary Islands University Hospital: lines 015, 102, 103 and 108.
Additionally, those travelling from the south of the island have lines 111 and 711, which connect Santa Cruz de Tenerife with Costa Adeje along the TF-1 motorway, both going and returning.
Moreover, pilgrims who have used the bus to travel to Candelaria will have free parking in the car parks of the Interchange stations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, from 18:00 on 14 August until 23:00 on 15 August, by proving a journey on lines 120, 122 and 522. Users must go to the central parking office to certify their use of the mentioned lines.
