Live the Holy Week in Spain

Preparing your next Easter getaway? It is the perfect occasion to plan your next family trip, finding new places with the freedom that only a car can give you. 

The Spanish Holy Week celebration dates back to the medieval brotherhoods of the 12th century; since then most Spanish cities are wrapped in  silence and devotion. Whether or not religious, we recommend you to go on a route through Spain’s most characteristic cities and enjoy their traditions and gastronomy. 

Live the Holy Week in Spain

The Holy Week is full of overwhelming expressions of popular fervor in all Spanish cities; processions are accompanied by brotherhood members dressed as penitents, with robes representing the brotherhood to which they belong. The sobriety, the silence, the sound of the brotherhood songs performed by street bands  and the rhythm of the “pasos” (procession floats) are unique moments that impress with the people’s contained emotion. 

There are innumerable pasos and processions that can make your skin crawl, here are some of those that we recommend you to see at least once in your life. 

La Esperanza de Triana, Sevilla

Every Good Friday the Esperanza de Triana leaves Seville in silence during the “madrugá”. Its exit from the “Capilla de los Marineros” in the Triana neighborhood is one of the most beautiful scenes you can see in Sevilla. To see the “Esperanza”, the “Jesus of the Great Power” or “Christ of the Gypsies” advancing along Seville while the “costaleros” advance with the paso, accompanied by the sound of the “saetas” (religious song), is pure magic. 

Los Pasos, León

As La Esperanza de Triana, “The Pasos procession” in León begins on Good Friday in the Santa Nonia chapel, where more than 4,000 “papones” of the oldest brotherhoods go through the historic center carrying 13 pasos that reflect the Passion of Christ.  The most anticipated moment is “El encuentro”, which reunites “La Dolorosa” and “San Juan”, along with the Nazarene, which thousands of people come to see each year. 

The Procession of the  Salzillos, Murcia

One of the most impressive and recognized processions worldwide is the “Procession of the Salzillos”. The streets of Murcia are flooded with processions made by Francisco Salzillo, one of the main authors of Holy Week carvings, from the 18th century. More than 4,000 Nazarenes dress up as penitents in purple robes and accompany the steps walking barefoot for more than 8 hours of processions.

Las Palmas, Elche

These palms, the city’s identity sign, are carried by thousands of Elche citizens during the  procession of “La Borriquita” that is celebrated on Palm Sunday at the Passeig de l’Estacio. The so-called “Palmas blancas”, braided palms from Elche palmtrees, are the protagonists of this festival, which has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. Do not miss Elche’s imposing parade in the Palm Sunday procession. 

The Christ of the Good Death, Málaga

Every Holy Thursday the “Christ of the Good Death” leaves from Pier 2 of the Malaga port.   The image of the “Christ of Mena” is carried by the legionaries to the entrance of the Santo Domingo church, while they sing the song of “Fiancée of Death”.

Los Gitanos, Granada

The “Procession of the Christ of the Gypsies” is the Holy Week’s most recognized in Granada. It starts every Holy Wednesday from the steep streets of the little white houses Sacromonte district, with imposing views of the  Alhambra Palace . The route of the procession goes through alleys where bonfires are lit, accompanied by “saetas” that impress anyone who has the opportunity to witness it. 

Enjoy the best cuisine at the Holy Week 

We cannot forget the Holy Week cuisine. At this time of year there are different recipes that we recommend: The “torrijas”, “buñuelos”, “monas”, “leche frita”, “rosquillas”, “potaje”... You can’t miss it! These typical sweets, made in convents, made fasting  a pleasant event, in which meat was substituted for foods high in protein and calories. 

If you are planning a Holy Week trip, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy these legendary processions in Spain.