Holy Week in Spain. History and traditions of the holiday Holy Week will soon begin in Spain. Do you know what it is? It is one of the most important festivals celebrated throughout the country. In this article you will learn about: History of the
It's going to start soon Holy Week in Spain. Do you know what it is?
It is one of the most important holidays that are celebrated in the whole country. In this article you will learn about:
Do you want to know everything about this party andspanish so important? Well go ahead!
We start with a little bit of history of Holy Week.
What is Holy Week? Since when has Holy Week been celebrated and why? Let's see it.
Holy Week is a Christian religious celebration.
Is Holy Week only celebrated in Spain? Well no, the truth is that it is celebrated in many countries around the world, especially in Latin America. Although it is also done in Europe.
Where is Easter celebrated in Europe? In all those countries that have a strong Christian tradition, such as Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Germany or Poland.
What is the origin of Holy Week in Spain and in the rest of the world?
The celebration of Holy Week began in the primitive church of Jerusalem in the 4th century, and has since expanded throughout the world.
Over the centuries, different rituals and traditions have been added to Holy Week, such as processions and theatrical performances, depending on the culture and region in which it is celebrated.
In Spain it is very important because our main religion is catholicism. It is one of the few festivals that are celebrated in almost all communities in the country.
It commemorates the last week of Jesus Christ's life, until his resurrection. It portrays his passion for the Christian faith and the ordeal he had to suffer until his death.
The Gospels They relate that Jesus entered Jerusalem in the midst of a large crowd that hailed him as the Messiah. This triumphal entry, known as the Palm Sunday, is the first day of Holy Week.
Over the next week, Jesus was betrayed, tried, tortured, and finally crucified. Days after his death, he rose from the dead, which is celebrated as the Easter Sunday.
In Spain, the most relevant tradition to honor these moments is through the processions in the streets in which religious statues are carried.
During this week, people gather to participate in traditions and meet up with family and friends at some typical Easter food in Spain.
When is Holy Week in Spain? The truth is that every year the date changes, but it almost always tends to fall into the month of april.
And why this? Because the Holy Week dates in Spain They are governed according to the lunar calendar. The beginning of Holy Week always takes place in the first full moon of spring.
Holy Week this year 2023 goes from 2 until April 9.
When does Holy Week start in Spain? As we have explained previously, the Palm Sunday always mark the beginning of Holy Week.
This is the day on which the messianic entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and coincides with the first full moon of spring.
To give you an idea, the days on which Spanish Holy Week occurs always have the following names:
The Thursday and Good Friday are the Holy Week holidays in Spain.
El Holy Thursday It is one of the most important days. From this day is when the Easter Triduum.
It is when Jesus had the last supper with his apostles, just before being betrayed by Judas and all the suffering he endured until being crucified on the cross the next day.
Therefore, the Good Friday refers to the death of Jesus Christ. Saturday is the day of mourning and Sunday is the day of mourning. day of his resurrection. This day is also known as the day of Easter in Spain.
Let's talk about theHoly Week traditions in Spain. There are many characteristic elements in our culture, from the way of celebrating this festival to the typical food. Let's see the most notable ones.
The Holy Week processions in Spain They are a symbol of our way of celebrating this holiday.
Many tourists are attracted to these religious parades that begin the Palm Sunday and extend to the Easter Sunday.
During these processions, different religious steps, which are platforms with figures that represent scenes from the Passion of Christ, as well as the Virgin Mary and other saints.
The processions usually begin at the local church and travel through the streets of the historic center, passing through the most emblematic places of the city.
Most of the processions They take place in the afternoon and at night, to create a more solemn and dramatic atmosphere.
Do you want to know the origin of the Holy Week processions in Spain?
The first documented procession in Spain took place in Seville in the year 1521. Since then, the processions expanded throughout the country.
Who organizes the processions? Some local groups called brotherhoods. They organize and are also part of the Holy Week procession.
Each brotherhood has its own clothing and symbols, and its members carry the step on their shoulders in a ritual that is considered a display of faith and devotion.
In many cities, Holy Week processions are very busy and massive events, with thousands of people gathering to watch them.
The music and the religious songs that accompany the procession, as well as the smell of candles and flowers, create a unique atmosphere and an unforgettable experience for all who participate in it.
We have already said that the steps They are structures that serve to represent important scenes of Holy Week, Some of these scenes are, for example:
These Steps are platforms that are built with materials such as wood, iron, wire or paper mache.
The steps are usually adorned with flowers, candles and other decorative elements.
Every step is carefully crafted and is considered a work of art, often centuries old.
Did you know that some are passed down from generation to generation through brotherhoods?
The passing of Holy Week is an essential element of the celebration for those who participate in it and a way to express your faith and his love for Christ and the Virgin Mary.
In case you are wondering, the biggest Easter event in Spain is the so-called «Tarasca» from the city of Granada, in Andalusia.
The TarascaIt is a huge processional step that represents a woman riding a dragon and is used in the Corpus Christi procession, although it is also used in some Holy Week processions.
The Easter images They are artistic representations, mainly sculptural, that represent scenes and characters related to the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week images are usually made of wood, plaster, metal or other materials, and can be of different sizes and are transported by the costaleros above the steps.
The image of Holy Week Christ of Mercy It is one of the most famous. It is in Seville and represents Jesus Christ crucified with open arms, as if he were embracing humanity. the sculptor Juan de Mesa did this work in 17th century.
There are other famous images, such as The Virgin of Sorrows, The Christ of the True Cross or The Christ of the Fall.
The costaleros They are the ones in charge of carry the religious steps during the processions.
The costaleros support the steps on your shoulders and neck, supporting them with a kind of pillow that is placed on the head.
This job requires great physical preparation, since the steps can weigh several tons and the costaleros must walk for several hours through the streets of the city during the processions.
The costaleros are admired by all members of the brotherhood. Can you imagine supporting so much weight on your shoulders for hours? It's pure devotion and sacrifice! If you are going to be in Spain during Easter, you will surely be overwhelmed when you see them.
The costaleros are a symbol of Holy Week in our country.
Holy Week and the processions in Spain would not be the same without the Nazarenes.
Have you ever seen hooded men in Easter photos? They are called Nazarenes. They are members of the brotherhoods who participate in the processions and a symbol of Holy Week and its traditions.
They usually dress with tunics and hoods, which are a type of hoods that cover the head and part of the face, leaving only the eyes exposed.
The Nazarenes are an iconic figure of Holy Week in Spain, and often carry candles and other religious symbols during the procession.
Each brotherhood has its own colors and design tunic, so the Nazarenes can be easily identified by the color and style of their clothing.
The origin of capirotes dates back to the Middle Ages, when they were used as penance to expiate sins committed.
Over time, this practice evolved and became a tradition of Holy Week in Spain, which is used as symbol of humility and penitence.
The Nazarenes, along with the costaleros, are very important characters of Holy Week.
During Holy Week, as the processions advance, they sing arrows. They are the traditional religious songs from Spain.
They are interpreted a cappella and they have a lot drama and a strong emotional component. They are usually short songs, usually lasting no more than a minute.
The most beautiful thing is that the arrows they are sung improvising in the moment, in response to the emotion felt when seeing religious images. And who sings them? There are saeta singers called «arrowheads».
The time has come to talk about the Easter food in Spain 😋
Torrijas are traditional desserts par excellence that are eaten during Holy Week in Spain.
This delicious delicacy is made with slices of stale bread dipped in milk, wine or syrup, then dipped in beaten egg and fried in hot oil.
Once fried, they are sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. They can also be accompanied with honey, cream or custard. Really delicious!
The Easter cuties It is another of the typical sweets of Holy Week in Spain.
They are cakes decorated with figures and shapes of animals, flowers, eggs and other symbols of Easter.
Monas de Pascua are made with a sweet dough similar to bread and usually contain hard boiled eggs, which are decorated with different ingredients such as icing sugar, chocolate or candied fruits.
The egg can also be made of chocolate and sometimes even the Easter cakes are personalized for each person, with the figure of their favorite character or with a congratulatory message.
Traditionally, mona de Pascua is eaten on the last day of Holy Week, Easter Sunday.
The wind fritters They are other of the delicious Easter desserts in Spain.
It is a sweet fried in ball shape. Dough is made with flour, water, eggs, yeast, and sometimes milk or butter. The dough is mixed and kneaded until a smooth and homogeneous texture is achieved. It is then fried in hot oil until golden brown and puffed.
They are often sprinkled with sugar or dipped in honey. They can also be filled with cream or jam.
A real calorie bomb! But... and how tasty is it?
After talking about these appetizing Easter meals in Spain, we wouldn't be surprised if you got hungry.
But don't go eating yet! We still need to talk about something very important: where to go at Easter in Spain.
The Holy Week is the most important religious holiday in Spain and that is why it is celebrated in many cities and towns throughout the country.
Each region has its own traditions and rituals, and there are some that live it with more devotion.
Below, we present the places in Spain to visit during Holy Week that experience this celebration the most.
Don't know what to do at Easter in Spain? Don't worry. We are going to give you a list of the places in Spain to visit during Holy Week most famous so you can get the best experience of these parties.
If you do it in these places, traveling during Easter through Spain can be a great idea 😉
The Holy Week in Andalusia It is where people live with the most passion in all of Spain.
The Holy Week in Seville It is one of the most important cities when it comes to this celebration.
Their processions are known for their enormous beauty and for the large number of brotherhoods that are part of them.
During the week, more than 50 brotherhoods They parade through processions in which imposing steps and images are carried.
The Nazarenes, with their characteristic hoods, carry candles and penances as a sign of atonement, while the costaleros, both men and women, carry the steps for hours through the narrow streets of the historic center of Seville.
Another of the points of interest of Sevillian Holy Week are the music bands that accompany the brotherhoods. These marches are heard throughout the city, creating an exciting and solemn atmosphere.
Do you still have interest in Andalusia? Then you should know that the Holy Week in Malaga It is another of the large cities in which it is celebrated.
In Malaga we find some of the best processions in Spain.
They are very spectacular and colorful. The processions always begin with "The Little Borrita", which depicts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
In addition to the processions, Holy Week in Malaga has a wide variety of cultural and gastronomic events, such as concerts, exhibitions, tastings of typical Holy Week sweets and traditional dishes from Malaga cuisine.
The Holy Week in Valladolid is known for being one of the most old throughout Spain.
Declared as International Tourist InterestIn Holy Week in Valladolid, 20 brotherhoods participate and carry out 33 processions.
The most popular happen in Maundy Thursday, with the most impressive steps of the city, such as “La Oración del Huerto”, “El Cristo de la Luz” or “La Piedad”.
Although not as spectacular and large as the previous ones, the funeral marches and their historical character create an unforgettable atmosphere in the streets. It will captivate you!
The city of Zamora, located in the region of Castilla y León, is one of the oldest cities in Spain.
Holy Week is one of the times of the year when you can best experience the atmosphere and history of the city.
During Holy Week in Zamora, there are 18 emotional parades. The processions begin on Friday of Sorrows and continue until Easter Sunday.
The images covers are very beautiful and old, some are preserved since the 15th century.
There are very characteristic processions during Holy Week in Zamora. Some of them are:
This procession is one of the curiosities of Holy Week in Spain, and one of the most beautiful!
The Holy Week festival in Lorca It is one of the most notable. Lorca is a city of Murcia Region.
Among the Holy Week processions, the one of Good Friday, in which the most important images of the city participate, including the famous «Mara» (Virgin of Bitterness), which is considered as one of the most beautiful images of Spain.
During this procession there are also other very artistic images such as the "Christ of the Blood" or the "Recumbent Christ."
On the other hand, Holy Week in Lorca is also famous for its embroidery. These are used to decorate the costumes of the Nazarenes and the banners of the brotherhoods.
These embroideries help make the Nazarenes' costumes and Holy Week banners some of the most beautiful in Spain.
In the capital of Spain, Holy Week also offers very interesting events. What is done this Holy Week? Well, as always, the most significant thing is the processions.
Some of the most popular processions are the Procession of Silence, the Procession of the Risen Lord, and the Procession of Solitude.
In the Holy Week in Madrid, one of the key moments is the celebration of the Offices of the Maundy Thursday and of Good Friday in the Almudena Cathedral.
These ceremonies are presided over by the city's archbishop. In the Holy Thursday Services The Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples is recreated.
In the Good Friday Services It commemorates the death of Jesus on the cross. During the ceremony, the worship of the cross takes place, in which the faithful come to kiss or touch the cross that represents the sacrifice of Christ.
On the other hand, during Holy Week in Madrid a lot of events are organized cultural and religious activities, such as art exhibitions, sacred music concerts or theatrical performances about the Passion of Christ.
After telling you about these six cities, now you will have a good idea of how Holy Week is celebrated in Spain, right?
What is the best Holy Week in Spain? The truth is that it is a little difficult to choose just one. All of the ones we have talked about have interesting things and their own particularities.
We think that if you want to experience a very spectacular week, perhaps the best options are in Andalusia, like Holy Week in Seville. Andalusia is where people live with the most passion.
Finally, we need to talk a little about Easter. What is it and when is Easter celebrated in Spain?
Easter is the day that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is always the last day of Holy Week, Easter Sunday.
On this day special masses are held. In addition, they are painted, decorated and given as gifts. easter eggs, which is the symbol of this day.
Some families also get together to enjoy a Easter monkey or eat a barbecue in the mountains. Many people also use these holidays to make a getaway to the countryside or to other cities.
It is a good time to make these trips because the weather during Holy Week in Spain It's usually quite nice. Although April is a month of rain and cloudy skies, it is already spring and the temperature is beginning to get warmer.
That's right how Easter is celebrated in Spain. In some cities like Valencia, the day after Easter Sunday is also a holiday, Easter Monday.
Are you going to be here on these dates and want to improve your level of Spanish? Then take advantage of our face-to-face Spanish courses and our online Spanish courses in Hispania, Spanish school.
After reading this article we hope you have a better idea ofwhat is done at Easter in Spain and what our traditions are like.
In addition, we have recommended the best places where to travel during Holy Week in Spain.
Oh, don't forget to try the Typical Holy Week dishes in Spain! We have also told you the most important ones 😉
Are there any questions you have about this celebration?
Do you know other places in Spain where Holy Week is celebrated with such devotion?
Leave a comment and we'll chat!
Article written by Charles Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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