Popular Traditions

The fair of saint Bernabé is held in honor of the Patron Saint of the city and is held in the week surrounding the 11th of June and commemorates the conquest of the city by the Catholic Kings in the year 1485.

The fiesta del Virgin del Carmen which is celebrated in July is a tradition among the fishermen in which the people of Marbella have participated for many years. One week before the 16th, a mass is held in the Chapel in the Fishing Port and the choir from the participating brotherhood sings. In this Chapel are the statues of the Virgin of the City and the Virgin of the Seas are taken out to an underwater cave. At the end of the act a Gold Anchor is awarded to the eldest retired fisherman. On the 16th a sea faring procession is held and later the procession is brought to land and the Virgin is returned to the Chapel.

Saint Bernabé Pilgrimage

In June there is a this traditional Romeria dedicated to Saint Bernabé. The "romeros" travel by ox driven carts, horses and carriages or walking… to good food, wine, dancing and all the signs of hospitality offered by the people of Marbella on such a special day.