Every October, the small town of Valle de Guerra, on the island of Tenerife, hosts this great auto sacramental theatre performance based on the historic Battle of Lepanto (1571) which took place between the naval fleet of the Turkish Empire and that of the Holy League. It is the most important event of the festivities in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary, with more than 400 years of history. During it, you can imagine what the victorious return of the Canary Islanders after the battle was like.
The Librea, which was already celebrated at the beginning of the 19th century, is performed on the Saturday night after 7 October, the day of the Virgin of the Rosary, the date when the naval battle was fought, where, according to tradition, the Virgin herself played a major role. This performance, declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, draws several thousand people to the square of the Church of Valle de Guerra, about 15 kilometres from San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a World Heritage City to whose municipality Valle de Guerra belongs.It begins with a parade of soldiers in period costume (the name librea, livery, refers to their uniforms) and then continues with a four-act performance: A historical introduction, the lead-up to combat, the battle and subsequent defeat of the Turkish army and the surrender of the vanquished and the offering to the Virgin of the Rosary. It is a fantastic cultural event with music, boats and fireworks, which transports spectators back several centuries into the past.
La Librea of Valle de Guerra
Plaza de la Iglesia de Valle de Guerra, San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife (Canary Islands)
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