Semana Santa

Easter in Spain is celebrated on a grand scale, more so than anywhere else in Europe (and probably the world). The event is known as ‘Holy week’ (Semana Santa) and is a tribute to the Passion of Jesus Christ. The festival begins a week before Easter Sunday, slightly earlier in n Castilla-Leon, and also coincides with the last week of lent (La Cuaresma). On the last Sunday, families will gather together to share a large meal and drink a toast to conclude the festivities.

Semana Santa is marked by daily processions where religious symbols are carried and traditional Nazareño costumes are worn in colourful but mournful displays of pageantry. Events are held all over the country. Some celebrations involve floats that are spectacularly decorated with re-creations of religious scenes and the whole week ends on Easter Sunday with church services and joyful celebration. On some nights, you might hear spontaneous outbursts of  song from the balconies above the processions. These flamneco style melodies are known as saetas.

The costumes of the Nazareños can appear quite sinister, with their draping tunics and pointed hoods designed to conceal their faces. The robes date back to medieval times and were worn by penitents, who would dress this way in order to confess their penance without revealing their true identity.

During the time, visitors to Spanish cities such as Sevilla, Malaga, Zamora, Valladolid and Salamanca will find it hard not to get drawn into the Semana Santa celebrations as the bars, restuarants and streets really come alive for the occasion.

(Photo: Gregorico)