The main icon of the Franciscans of La Orotava was a sculpture of Our Lady of Charity which came from Seville to the old convent during the first quarter of the 17th century. It survived the great fire that destroyed the Convent of San Lorenzo. The great devotion to this icon resulted from a miracle that happened here, which was certified by the Catholic Church in 1632.

According to the story of the order’s reverend rector, Juan Mireles, the flame of the oil lamp that lit the icon suddenly went out one night. Before the friars could replace the oil to turn the lamp on again, it lit itself with a huge flame and oil began to gush from the container. When the bells were rung to announce the miracle, five thousand people gathered in the temple, to whom the miraculous oil was distributed. Since then, the oil from the Virgin of Charity lamp has been attributed with healing properties and is distributed every year during the feast of the Virgin on 5 August. 

A convent with a church-certified miracle was at an advantage over other convents, as it would receive more funding and attract a larger congregation.

Both the lamp and the carving of the Virgin are still inside the church. If you get close up to it, you’ll see that it’s an icon by the Andalusian School in polychrome wood, with a subtle melancholic gesture. Herhands have the characteristic rigidity of icons made at the start of the 17th century. She’s holding the baby Jesus in her left hand, who is less intricate than the Virgin herself, leading to the theory that it was carved by a different artist.

There’s just one more hill on this route. Continue up the cobbled street to the corner of Calle Doctor Domingo González García and Calle Salazar. You’ll now delve into the history of water use in La Orotava.