Festival of the Virgin of Carmen

Every year on 16th July, the Pitiusan islands pay homage to the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of seamen, with a set of ceremonies, masses and land and sea processions. The celebration starts with an open-air mass celebrated by the Bishop of Eivissa and Formentera. The Virgin of Carmen is then taken to a fishing boat, which sets sail followed by dozens of other boats. Once out at sea, a laurel wreath is thrown overboard as an offering to the Virgin. When it returns to port, the procession continues on land to the Church of Sant Elm, where the Municipal Music Band and the City of Eivissa Choir welcome them with a traditional seaman’s Hail Mary.