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La Candelaria

Parish of Morán Municipality, Lara state, Venezuela. Capital: La Candelaria. Altitude: 700–1,200 m above sea level. Patron: Our Lady of Candelaria.

Capital

La Candelaria

Altitude

700–1,200 m above sea level

Climate

Hot to temperate. 20–28 °C

Patron

Our Lady of Candelaria

February 2

Population

≈ 8,000 inhabitants

Distance from El Tocuyo

≈ 10 km east of El Tocuyo

≈ 25 minutes

Demonym

candelareño / candelareña

The **La Candelaria parish** of Morán Municipality owes its name and identity to **Our Lady of Candelaria**, patroness celebrated on February 2. A mosaic of agricultural and sugar cane hamlets, it is strategically located between El Tocuyo and the Andean parishes, making it a natural gateway to the south of the municipality.

About La Candelaria

Parish of Morán Municipality with a strong religious identity, dedicated to **Our Lady of Candelaria**. Agricultural communities, traditional houses, and patron saint festivities celebrated every **February 2**.

History of the La Candelaria parish

Devotion to Our Lady of Candelaria is of Spanish colonial tradition, brought to the Tocuyo area in the early centuries. The parish maintains centuries-old patron saint festivities and preserves religious images and furnishings inherited from the founding cult.

Geography, terrain and climate

Mixed terrain: warm lowlands and gentle mountains. Altitudes between **700 and 1,200 m above sea level**. Productive soils for sugar cane, corn, vegetables, and coffee in higher sectors.

Culture, religion and traditions

**Patron saint festival of Our Lady of Candelaria** on February 2, with procession, evening band concerts, blessing of candles, fireworks, and traditional comparsas. It also takes part in the culture of the Tamunangue and Cross of May vigils.

Economy and production

Sugar cane, artisanal panela, vegetables, corn, coffee at higher elevations, poultry farming, and small-scale trade. Its proximity to El Tocuyo facilitates the shipment of harvests and integration with the urban market.

Main crops

This parish stands out for the production of: sugar cane, corn, vegetables, coffee.

What to visit in La Candelaria: tourist sites

Must-see places of the La Candelaria parish, Morán Municipality, Lara state, organized by category.

Religioso

Church of Our Lady of Candelaria

Parish church, the centerpiece of the February 2 festival. Devotion of colonial roots.

Cultural

Agricultural hamlets

Mosaic of small productive settlements with active peasant life.

Ruta

Panela sugar mills

Artisanal production of panela from sugar cane grown in the lowlands of the Tocuyo River.

Festivities of La Candelaria

Calendar of the most important religious, patronal and traditional celebrations of the La Candelaria parish.

February 2

Our Lady of Candelaria — patron saint

Procession with lit candles, solemn Mass, and celebrations around the church. One of the most heartfelt Marian festivities of Morán Municipality.

Typical gastronomy of La Candelaria

The traditional cuisine of La Candelaria reflects its climate, its crops and its history. Essential dishes and products:

Learn more in the El Tocuyo gastronomy and traditional recipes.

How to get to La Candelaria

From El Tocuyo, **local road heading east**, ≈ 10 km; **25 minutes**. Quick and direct access from the municipal capital.

Useful related resources

Frequently asked questions about the La Candelaria parish

When is the La Candelaria festival celebrated?

The patron saint festival of Our Lady of Candelaria is celebrated on February 2. It is the most important Marian festivity of the parish.

Explore all parishes of Morán Municipality

Morán Municipality has 9 parishes between warm valleys and Andean mountains. Discover each one: