The Bajada

The biggest fiesta on El Hierro is La Bajada, literally, the "bringing down", and it only happens every four years. Other islands have bajadas - for example La Palma has one every 5 years, and the next one is July -August 2010.

A Bajada is when they move the statue of the island's patron saint to the island's capital. In La Palma, they move the statue of La Virgen de Las Nieves about 3-4 km. Although El Hierro is only about 19 km across, they take the statue of La Virgen de los Reyes all around the island - a total of 44 km. And they dance all the way!

Well, I don't think it's the same dancers the whole time. But I'm looking forward to seeing it. Because the next bajada is July 4th.