From the 25^th to the  31^st of March one of the deepest and most important religious celebrations is going to take place in Spain, Semana Santa. The Holy Week, a commemoration with centuries of history and tradition, in which the passion and death of Jesus Christ is remembered, is celebrated in many towns and villages all over the country. Starting on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Saturday, there will be processions and church services during the entire week. Places that are well-known for their rituals during that time are, for example, Sevilla and Malaga.

The Holy Week throughout Spain 

In Sevilla people are marching from their home churches and chapels to the great Cathedral of Sevilla, while carrying wax or wooden figures that represent Jesus and Virgin Mary.
The inhabitants of Malaga also have many processions where they carry lifelike, heavy wooden sculptures that explain some scenes of the Passion of Christ.
All these traditions are accompanied by brass bands, trumpets or drums that play marches and hymns in honour of Jesus and the Holy Virgin.
Dressed in gowns that even cover their heads and faces, people march through the streets to remember these sorrowful but also joyful days.

source: el jueves

But there are more places worth visiting during the Holy Week than Andalusia.
In the Jewish quarter of Toledo, there is the procession of Christ the Redeemer. In Las Palmas de Elche, Alicante, people carry white palms during the Borriquita procession. In Valladolid, you get the chance to admire great Castilian artwork, in addition to all the processions.

The most remarkable and unique ceremonies however take place in Zamora. During the procession of the Yacente de Zamora, every Holy Thursday at night, the only sounds that break the silence of this ritual are the bells of the viaticum and the beating of the candles on the ground. Zamora even has special gastronomic traditions of Holy Week, such as garlic soup in the early morning of Good Friday, or the ‘Dos y pingada’ on Easter Sunday that is usually taken after the procession of resurrection. It consists of two fried eggs, two or three pieces of pig ham (or serrano ham) and bread.

Another special way of commemorating the suffering of Jesus Christ is done in Castro Urdiales, Cantabria. Unlike all the other cities mentioned above, the residents of Castro Urdiales participate in a representation of the Passion of Christ, from the Last Supper to the Resurrection.

source: pinterest

You don’t need to be religious to be part of these great ceremonies. People from many different countries come to Spain to enjoy these incredible events, so if you are interested, don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more about our religion related offers!