Easter the Spanish Way
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is extraordinary in Spain, a time when every town and city holds wonderful processions in which the elaborately dressed statues are carried through the streets to the accompaniment of penitents and bugle and drum bands.You can join the crowds at the huge processions in Sevilla,Granada or Malaga or enjoy the more intimate ones of Antequera or Ronda..
The Stations of the Cross in
Obejo, Córdoba
On Easter Sunday they carry the Christ Child through the streets. This is a children´s procession in which they carry tiny Easter cakes.
Malaga
With many wonderful processions through the streets of Malaga, the highlight of the week is the candlelit procession after midnight (the early hours of Friday) which accompanies the beautiful statue of the Virgin of Sorrows
Sevilla
The city has been holding Semana Santa processions since the 16th Century. They organize about 58 processions during which the statues are carried through the city during the evening or throughout the night.
Passion Plays in Iznájar
During Holy Week, the townsfolk re-enact the story of Easter, taking on the key roles from the Bible. They will have spent up to three months preparing for their Passion Play.
Baena, Córdoba
The town is filled with noise and colour during Semana Santa. Of particular note are the Judios de Baena (Baena Jews) who wear red jackets and gold helmets while playing drums ceaselessly throughout the processions. Of the statues, the Gothic El Perdón and Cristo de la Expiración are not to be missed. Cabra
On Good Friday, they carry the Stations of the Cross around town. These statues date back to the 16th Century and are real works by famous Spanish sculptures. With the accompaniment of bugle and drum bands, this procession is solemn and moving. On Easter Saturday, some of the most famous Andalucian flamenco singers come to Cabra to sing ´saetas´to the Virgen de la Soledad and Quinta Angustias. On Easter Sunday, there is an explosion of noise and colour as all the brotherhoods take part in the final procession of Holy Week..
Roman Soldiers in Puente Genil
Semana Santa is celebrated a little differently in this town.As well as the religious processions with their beautiful statues and stirring music, you will find Roman soldiers and centurions accompanied by marching bands.Included in this procession are people dressed as figures from the Old and New Testament.
Granada
Marvel at the processions which pass through the Albaicin, Alhambra and Sacramonte hills! On Wednesday, they light bonfires on Sacramonte. On Holy Thursday they process up and through the Albaicin in silence except for the drums. With representations of the characters from the bible and an Easter Sunday procession in which children carry ceramic lanterns that jingle as they walk, there is much to admire here
Support your statue in Castilleja de la Cuesta
Holy Week in this town sounds particularly noisy. Groups supporting different statues attend both the early morning rehearsal and the evening processions. One group, dressed in red and white, supports the Virgen de la Soledad who represents the street, while others dressed in blue and white support La Inmaculada, representing the square. They attempt to drown each other out with chants and songs.
The Velez-
Malaga Holy Week Museum
If you would like to understand what happens in Holy Week in Spain, and why this happens, then visit this great museum dedicated to this theme. Filled with sculptures, paintings, embroidered fabrics and gold and silver items, the museum takes you through the events of Holy Week. Open every day 10 to 2, 5 to 8, Sundays and holidays 10 to 2. Calle Real de la Villa 1, Velez-Malaga. Tel 952558640
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|