Our Lady of the Snows

Patroness of La Palma

One of the oldest Marian images in the Canary Islands presides, from her sanctuary on the mountain, over the life of the island of La Palma. Every five years, the whole island accompanies her in her celebrated Bajada (Descent).

Origine et histoire

Devotion to Our Lady of the Snows is documented at least from the 15th century and is linked to the earliest days of the island’s evangelization after the conquest. It very soon became the spiritual center of the people of La Palma, gathered around one of the oldest Marian carvings preserved in the archipelago.

The sanctuary was established as a Royal Insular Sanctuary, and the Virgin was proclaimed patroness of La Palma. Since 1676 the Bajada (Descent) of the Virgin to Santa Cruz de La Palma has been celebrated; since 1945 this Bajada has had a lustral character —every five years— shaping the religious and popular life of the island.