Religion in Tenerife

As in the rest of Spain, Tenerife society is predominantly Catholic.  However, the increasing flows (tourism, immigration, etc.) are increasing the number of adherents of other religions to come together on the island.

Many advocates that exist, however, takes place here every year for one of the most important pilgrimages of the archipelago due to the celebration of the feast of La Virgen de Candelaria (Patrona de Canarias), plus special patrons of the island, who represents the union of Spanish and Guanche cultures.

The Guanches took ownership of the image that the missionaries of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura left on a beach next to the current Villa Mariana de Candelaria. From there, the history and legend of this picture are intertwined and give way to worship and pilgrimage to this day.

Basilica of Candelaria is the place where the image of the Virgin of Candelaria is. This neoclassical shrine is visited daily by the faithful who go to Villa Mariana in devotion to their patroness.

Inside the Basilica de La Candelaria (Patrona de Canarias). At the altar, the image of the Virgin.

Cathedral of La Laguna is the seat of the Diocese Nivariense. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios. It consists of a building that combines classical elements with neogothic located in the city of La Laguna. Today, it is closed to worship because of some works of restoration and reconstruction of events.

Matrix  Parish of St. James: This temple, located in the Village of Los Realejos current, former township Realejo de Arriba, is the first Christian church built on the island of Tenerife after the conquest, to be dedicated to St. James, for having given the termination phase of war of conquest on July 25 of 1496 and, together with the parish of Concepcion de La Laguna, is one of the first two parishes on the island.

Iglesia de la Concepcion de La Laguna: This is one of the oldest buildings in Tenerife, commissioned by Alonso Fernandez de Lugo. It was declared a National Historic Monument. Around it are arranged the main networks of the Island, leading to the city of San Cristobal de La Laguna. Currently, you can access the top of the tower to provide a view of much of the city.

Other religious buildings of some significance are the Iglesia de la Concepcion, San Agustin and Santo Domingo in La Orotava, the Templo de Nuestra Senora de Pena de Francia in Puerto de la Cruz, San Marcos Evangelista in Icod de los Vinos and Garachico Santa Ana, as well as the Church of the Conception of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Real Santuario del Cristo de La Laguna.

It is also important to note Pedro de San Jose Betancur (Brother Peter) First Holy Canario was born in the town of Vilaflor.

Patronage of the island

St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the island of Tenerife and the Ayuntamiento de La Laguna. In fact its image appears on the island shield, which was granted by Ferdinand the Catholic on 23 March 1510, on behalf of her daughter Queen Juana.

The Patron Saint of Tenerife is the Virgin of Candelaria, who is also the patron of the Canary Islands. His feast day is August 15, the day of the Ascunsion (public holiday in the Canaries) and February 2, the last holiday on the island.