Our Lady of the Rosary

The big day of this festival is the great festive day par excellence in the Asturian summer: 15th August. The Virgin of the Rosary embodies the seafaring virgin, and this is made clear by the procession in which her image sails on a boat decorated for the occasion, accompanied by other equally decorated boats. The procession, which begins with a volley of fireworks, becomes a tribute that combines devotion to the virgin with remembrance of the fishermen who have died at sea. All the boats sound their sirens and throw bouquets and wreaths of flowers into the Bay of Biscay as a heartfelt and emotional evocation of those who have passed away.

The festive days are completed with a multitude of recreational, sporting, cultural and traditional activities linked to the sea, music and dance, and culture, designed for children and adults. Luarca/Ḷḷuarca, the capital of the council of Valdés, becomes an authentic and warm festive destination on the western coast of Asturias.