The Legion parades for the first time in Torre del Mar during Holy Week: date, route, and time

Torre del Mar/For the first time in the history of Holy Week in Torre del Mar, the Spanish Legion will march through the streets of the town. Specifically, units from the Tercio Don Juan de Austria 3rd, from Almería, will participate. A total of 80 legionnaires will be present on the morning of Good Friday, April 18, before accompanying the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Sorrows Crowned in their processional outing.

The legionnaires will arrive at Torre del Mar on the Paseo Marítimo around 12:15 PM, will march to Paseo de Larios, and will finish at Plaza Juan Aguilar. “Rain or shine, the legionnaires will be there. It's not just a brotherhood event, but a demonstration of gratitude and brotherhood with Torre del Mar,” explained Jesús Gutiérrez, Elder Brother of the Brotherhood of Sorrows Crowned, during the presentation of the event.

As a symbolic closure, representatives of the Legion, along with the Elder Brother and local authorities, will lay a floral tribute at the feet of the Virgin of Carmen, Patron Saint of Torre del Mar.

Gutiérrez recalled the close relationship that binds Torre del Mar with this devotion and with the Spanish Legion, which had previously participated in a flag swearing ceremony in the town. “Since then, we had the hope that the Legion would return to Torre del Mar and, thanks to the support of the Town Hall, we have made it possible,” he highlighted.

The Elder Brother emphasized the "essential" role of the shops and residents of Torre del Mar, as “almost 25% of the brothers of the Virgin are from here, and local businesses collaborate each year in the publication of the 22,000 itineraries that help us finance the brotherhood.”

"A unique opportunity to experience the strength of The Legion"

Thus, the first deputy mayor of the municipality of Vélez-Málaga and deputy mayor of Torre del Mar, Jesús Pérez Atencia, has stated that it will be "a unique opportunity to enjoy the strength, unity, and honor that characterize the Brigade of The Legion."

For Atencia, “this parade is not only a military act but also a demonstration of commitment, dedication, and bravery of these men and women who are part of our history and traditions."

Meanwhile, the Councilor for Finance and Sports of the Town Hall of Vélez-Málaga, Manolo Gutiérrez, also present at the event, expressed: “We want to return to Torre del Mar the affection it always shows towards the brotherhood. Holy Week is also an economic engine, and these events attract numerous tourists who can then go up to Vélez and enjoy our rich brotherhood tradition.”

Furthermore, Pablo Domínguez, Prosecutor of the Brotherhoods Group of the Holy Week of Vélez-Málaga, added: “The Virgin of Sorrows Crowned is one of the most relevant images throughout Andalusia, a work by Domingo Sánchez Mesa that maintains its identity from before the Civil War. Events like this contribute to spreading the artistic and devotional value of our Holy Week, also generating tourist and business impact in our city,” he concluded.

Procession route of Our Lady of Sorrows Crowned in Vélez-Málaga

Thus, the residents and visitors of Vélez-Málaga will once again see the Spanish Legion at 20:55 hours, when the procession of the brotherhood they accompany begins.

The military will be present during the nearly five hours that the procession will last, which will follow the following route: Church of San Juan Bautista, Escalerilla de San Juan, Plaza de la Constitución, Las Tiendas, Salvador Rueda, Plaza San Juan de Dios, Juan Bautista Hurtado, Las Tiendas, Félix Lomas, Mayor José Herrera, Plaza Reyes Católicos, Canalejas, Plaza de las Carmelitas, Romero Pozo, Paseo Nuevo, Sevilla, Escalerilla de San Juan, Church of San Juan.