This is why much of the Campo was closed yesterday

At La Atunara, La Línea
(Photo: lalineadigital/Marcos Moreno)

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR Yesterday was a special saint's day: La Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and the Spanish Armada, and thus much venerated on the entire coastline of Spain, though mainly in the south. Originally honoured as Our Lady of Mount Carmel (in Israel, and the origin of the name Carmen), her image is paraded throughout the streets and in the water of most of the towns and villages with maritime traditions. It is an official local holiday in most if not all these places.