Cruces de mayo (The crosses of may)

Municipality: Los Realejos

Today we talk about "Las Cruces y Fuegos de Mayo (The crosses and fire of may). This feast was declared Bien de Interés Turístico (tourist interest) in the year 2009 (this was the first municipality of the  Canary Islands to obtain this recognition since this designation appeared in 2008). This recognition was due to the fact that importance for the municipality and for the thousands of visits that the municipality receiving these days, not only of the island and domestic residents, but also foreign tourists.

La Fiesta de la Cruz  is celebrated in many countries and also in many regions of Spain. The birth of this festival is somewhat doubtful, but it is believed that it is the root of the cross where Jesus died and it was found by St. Helena in 326 a.c, since this date the Catholic Church has commemorated as Día de la Cruz on May 3. But we are going to count, also among theories, the roots of these festivals on the island, especially in Los Realejos. As the feast of the cross, also held in the municipalities which bear this name, as Santa Cruz (capital of the island) and which celebrates it with the commemoration of the Foundation of the city in 1949, El Puerto de la Cruz, etc.

Cross

Like everything else, are several hypotheses of the birth of this festival. One of them has to do with the wooden cross that stood after the conquest, which today is in La Parroquia del Apostol Santiago (the church of the Apostle Santiago), which is the first Christian Temple of the island. Another theory is due to the fact that all the crosses that are found in the municipality, placed by the friars in areas away from the old city. It must be said, that the cross is a Christian symbol, and there was no houses or places which is not put in other time. As mentioned, this day, veneration of the same one.

In the municipality there are three spotlights which focus looks these days, the street of La Calle del Sol and La del Medio and La Cruz Santa. This last must be the name, according to legend, a man found a silver cross in the ravine, today is in the parish of this place, hence the name of the town.

Walk

 The Streets of El Sol and El Medio, they are two streets that have a long history of disputes between them. La Calle del Medio is where resided the Marquis while the street of El Sol the sharecroppers and small farmers, today there is such a difference due to the evolution of the economy on the island, but if it has been between our days that historic pique on the occasion of feast.  Apparently, and according to some studies, the pique begins in 1770, when it pulled in procession to the cross this day (apart from being Christian symbol, is the first symbol that is positioned on the island since the Saints and other symbols will incorporate over time). The passage of the procession of the cross through both streets, this was celebrated with bonfires, smoke's colors and making too much noise to see what Street earned that year. Today this procession continues in these two streets, going up by the del Sol and down la del Medio. Although this pique has set aside religion, it is quite a spectacle to see Fireworks lighting up the skies of the municipality.

To pay for these fires, residents work all year. This day has prominence two big pyrotechnics, Los Hermanos Toste and the Caballer. For more than two hours, the sky is lit with these fires, which is considered the largest pyrotechnic display Spain.

Cross

 The Crosses are decorated with flowers, although in the trim different materials can be incorporated. In former times, this day residents drew their crosses and adorned, in mode of pique in what was the most beautiful. Although pique is today still, give Prize to the best crosses, is a healthy pique in which what is at issue is enjoyed decorating them and that visitors will enjoy looking at them.

Also mention, and not least, the cross which is on top of the mountain of Los Frailes. Also, on this date, the cross that is located in the Chapel, is taken out in procession, being all day the Chapel opens, and the residents responsible for the celebration (a neighbouring of La Higuerita one year and another year of La Montaña) give food to visitors that day climbing the mountain to see this cross.

We have named these points that are the most pockets of people attract during those days, however throughout the municipality, there are crosses that are shelters by their owners and can be visited.

Cross