Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Spain is the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday.
During this week-long festival, thousands of people take part in processions across Spain as huge floats carry religious statues through towns to the local church, while large crowds line the streets.
The festivities begin on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) and end on Easter Monday (Lunes de Pascua), with the most dramatic parades held on Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) and Good Friday (Viernes Santo).
Usually, people from across Spain as well as international tourists, attend the crowded Easter parades, though obviously this year it will be a much quieter event with people attending church and no parades or festivities.
The history of Semana Santa
The Semana Santa festival pays homage to Jesus Christ’s last days before he was crucified.
Celebrations in Spain began around the 16th century when, in 1521, the Marqués de Tarifa returned to Seville from the Holy Land and institutionalised the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). From that moment on this holy event was celebrated with a procession, and over time this turned into processions to present scenes from the story of the Passion of Christ.
How is Semana Santa celebrated?
The Easter celebrations start on Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) with people attending a church service. Many carry a palm tree bouquet, and will be dressed in their best clothes. The Spanish always dress up for church, but during the festivities even more so, almost as if they are attending a wedding,
The different regions of Spain have various ways of celebrating, but generally during the Semana Santa celebrations you will see…
Nazarenos
The Nazarenos are participants in the processions who wear robes, which vary in colour and style depending on the procession and region. The cone shaped hood of the robe often draws attention from outside Spain due to the resemblance to the hoods worn by the KKK. However, there is no connection between the two, with the Spanish tradition originating from medieval times where the robes and hoods were worn by people to show their repentance over past sins whilst hiding their identity.
The nazarenos carry candles, torches or wooden crosses, and often walk barefoot through the streets.
Pasos
Pasos are giant extravagant floats used in the Semana Santa processions. Each float depicts a scene from the story of the Passion of the Christ, often carrying sculptures that are hundreds of years old.
Usually, the pasos are accompanied by brass bands playing religious songs.
Costaleros
Costaleros are the people who carry the pasos on their shoulders during the procession. These people are members of a brotherhood, which usually means they belong to the same church. These brotherhoods have their origins in the Middle Ages, and membership is usually open to any Catholic person with family tradition an important element to become a member or “brother”. Normally there are between 20 to 40 Costaleros per float and they practice all year round.
During the Holy Week festivities there will also usually be street entertainment, fireworks, music, food, and of course church services.
What food is eaten during Semana Santa?
On Good Friday, Catholics in Spain don’t eat meat, but instead usually eat fish and vegetables. A garlic soup and a stew of cod, spinach and chick peas are also very popular on the day of Good Friday.
Chocolate Easter Eggs aren’t a tradition in Spain, you’re more likely to eat torrijas – a delicious treat made from bread soaked in honey, eggs, and white wine and lightly fried.
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