Outline

• Introduction
• A Spectacle of Devotion
• A Tradition Inherited From the Middle Ages
• Experience the Processions in First-Class Cities
• A Procession for Every Day and Every Taste
• The Saeta, the Flamenco Prayer
• A Tradition with a Future

Spain is a country of deep-rooted traditions, with spectacular celebrations that are unique in the world. The most emblematic are undoubtedly the Holy Week processions, held in most towns and cities to commemorate the Passion of Christ. They are religious traditions in a country whose culture has been deeply influenced by the Church. The processions are held over seven days, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, with the most important occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. In many places, they begin with the Vía Crucis (Way of the Cross) on the eve of Palm Sunday, and in others, the processions continue after Easter Sunday, as in Seville, where the Brotherhood of the Resurrection holds a procession on Easter Sunday. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. These members, along with the bearers or costaleros, have the privilege of carrying the pasos or floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. The pasos are large, heavy wooden structures adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, which carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The floats are carried through the streets, surrounded by a crowd of penitents, while bands of music accompany them, playing marches specially composed for the occasion. In some places, like Seville, the processions are silent, with no music, only the sound of the footsteps of the bearers, the creaking of the float, and the murmurs of the audience. In others, like Murcia, the processions are lively and festive, with the bearers dancing and swaying the float to the rhythm of the music. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

A Spectacle of Devotion

Most of the processions are held at night, and the floats, with their candles and torches, create a magical atmosphere. The penitents, dressed in their long robes and pointed hoods, march silently, their faces hidden, creating an aura of mystery. The bearers, or costaleros, carry the heavy floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. It is a demanding task, requiring strength and endurance, as they must carry the float for several hours, often over long distances, and many of them do it as an act of penance. The floats are adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, and they carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

A Tradition Inherited From the Middle Ages

Spain is a country of deep-rooted traditions, with spectacular celebrations that are unique in the world. The most emblematic are undoubtedly the Holy Week processions, held in most towns and cities to commemorate the Passion of Christ. They are religious traditions in a country whose culture has been deeply influenced by the Church. The processions are held over seven days, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, with the most important occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. In many places, they begin with the Vía Crucis (Way of the Cross) on the eve of Palm Sunday, and in others, the processions continue after Easter Sunday, as in Seville, where the Brotherhood of the Resurrection holds a procession on Easter Sunday. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. These members, along with the bearers or costaleros, have the privilege of carrying the pasos or floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. The pasos are large, heavy wooden structures adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, which carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The floats are carried through the streets, surrounded by a crowd of penitents, while bands of music accompany them, playing marches specially composed for the occasion. In some places, like Seville, the processions are silent, with no music, only the sound of the footsteps of the bearers, the creaking of the float, and the murmurs of the audience. In others, like Murcia, the processions are lively and festive, with the bearers dancing and swaying the float to the rhythm of the music. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

Experience the Processions in First-Class Cities

Most of the processions are held at night, and the floats, with their candles and torches, create a magical atmosphere. The penitents, dressed in their long robes and pointed hoods, march silently, their faces hidden, creating an aura of mystery. The bearers, or costaleros, carry the heavy floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. It is a demanding task, requiring strength and endurance, as they must carry the float for several hours, often over long distances, and many of them do it as an act of penance. The floats are adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, and they carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

A Procession for Every Day and Every Taste

Spain is a country of deep-rooted traditions, with spectacular celebrations that are unique in the world. The most emblematic are undoubtedly the Holy Week processions, held in most towns and cities to commemorate the Passion of Christ. They are religious traditions in a country whose culture has been deeply influenced by the Church. The processions are held over seven days, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, with the most important occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. In many places, they begin with the Vía Crucis (Way of the Cross) on the eve of Palm Sunday, and in others, the processions continue after Easter Sunday, as in Seville, where the Brotherhood of the Resurrection holds a procession on Easter Sunday. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. These members, along with the bearers or costaleros, have the privilege of carrying the pasos or floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. The pasos are large, heavy wooden structures adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, which carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The floats are carried through the streets, surrounded by a crowd of penitents, while bands of music accompany them, playing marches specially composed for the occasion. In some places, like Seville, the processions are silent, with no music, only the sound of the footsteps of the bearers, the creaking of the float, and the murmurs of the audience. In others, like Murcia, the processions are lively and festive, with the bearers dancing and swaying the float to the rhythm of the music. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

The Saeta, the Flamenco Prayer

Most of the processions are held at night, and the floats, with their candles and torches, create a magical atmosphere. The penitents, dressed in their long robes and pointed hoods, march silently, their faces hidden, creating an aura of mystery. The bearers, or costaleros, carry the heavy floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. It is a demanding task, requiring strength and endurance, as they must carry the float for several hours, often over long distances, and many of them do it as an act of penance. The floats are adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, and they carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.

A Tradition with a Future

Spain is a country of deep-rooted traditions, with spectacular celebrations that are unique in the world. The most emblematic are undoubtedly the Holy Week processions, held in most towns and cities to commemorate the Passion of Christ. They are religious traditions in a country whose culture has been deeply influenced by the Church. The processions are held over seven days, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, with the most important occurring on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. In many places, they begin with the Vía Crucis (Way of the Cross) on the eve of Palm Sunday, and in others, the processions continue after Easter Sunday, as in Seville, where the Brotherhood of the Resurrection holds a procession on Easter Sunday. The processions are organized by religious associations called Hermandades or Cofradías, which have a long history and whose members, known as Nazarenes, or penitents, carry candles, crosses, and other religious symbols. These members, along with the bearers or costaleros, have the privilege of carrying the pasos or floats on their shoulders, often with no other support than a pillow or small cushion. The pasos are large, heavy wooden structures adorned with gold, silver, candles, and flowers, which carry religious images or sculptures, usually depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ, such as the crucifixion, the carrying of the cross, or the entombment, as well as images of the Virgin Mary, who appears in nearly all processions. The Virgin Mary is always depicted in mourning, dressed in black or dark blue, with a mantle of long tail, and adorned with jewelry and a crown of gold or silver. Many images of the Virgin, such as the Macarena in Seville or the Esperanza in Malaga, are famous throughout Spain, and their processions attract a great number of visitors. The floats are carried through the streets, surrounded by a crowd of penitents, while bands of music accompany them, playing marches specially composed for the occasion. In some places, like Seville, the processions are silent, with no music, only the sound of the footsteps of the bearers, the creaking of the float, and the murmurs of the audience. In others, like Murcia, the processions are lively and festive, with the bearers dancing and swaying the float to the rhythm of the music. The processions are an impressive spectacle, with their colorful robes, candles, and incense, and they attract a great number of visitors, both locals and tourists. In some places, like Seville and Malaga, the processions are so popular that it is difficult to find a spot to watch them, and many people reserve their places along the route well in advance. The most famous processions are those of Seville, with its magnificent floats and its famous saetas, or flamenco prayers, sung from the balconies of the buildings along the route. The saeta is an improvised flamenco song, usually sung by a single voice, without accompaniment, and it is a deeply felt expression of faith and emotion. The processions of Malaga are also very popular, with their lively and festive atmosphere, and their famous floats, such as the Cristo de Mena, which is carried by the legionaries of the Spanish Foreign Legion. The processions of Valladolid, with their solemn and austere atmosphere, and their Baroque sculptures, are also renowned. Other notable processions are those of Zamora, with their medieval character, and those of Cartagena, with their spectacular floats and their ancient Roman themes. In the north of Spain, the processions are less well-known, but they are equally impressive, with their Basque and Galician influences. In the Basque Country, the processions have a more reserved character, with fewer floats and more emphasis on the penitents. In Galicia, the processions are more festive, with music and dancing, and they include ancient traditions, such as the Procesión de los Callos in Ferrol, where the penitents carry pots of stew instead of floats. In the Balearic Islands, the processions are characterized by their Mediterranean flavor, with white robes, palm branches, and the sound of the sea in the background. In the Canary Islands, the processions are more influenced by Latin American traditions, with colorful robes, flowers, and lively music.