St Isidore’s Procession in Guía de Isora 2023

On 21 (third Sunday) May, the town of Guía de Isora will honour St Isidore de Farmer (or Labourer) in a centuries-old procession where religious traditions and folk customs come together. The event draws hundreds of locals and out-of-towners, who gather in the square (Plaza de Guía de Isora) and in the historic district, where there are music and dance performances by ensembles from all over the islands, including El Hierro, with their flutes and drums.

St Isidore’s Procession was first held in Guía de Isora in 1953, as a way of saying thanks after three years of bumper crops of tomatoes. Since then, it has been held on an annual basis, which makes it one of the oldest, most-deeply rooted popular traditions in Tenerife. A curious fact about the procession: St Isidore is escorted by horsemen, who lead the pilgrims all along the way.