Holy week in Spain

We are entering Holy Week, traditionally a very important week in Spain. Although the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is a religious event, many Spaniards take this week off before the celebration of Easter to rest and enjoy the processions held in various locations throughout of the Kingdom of Spain.

Processions of great renown can be enjoyed in Málaga – the Traslado del Cristo de la Buena Muerte on Maundy Thursday with the legionaries – is just a mere 45 kilometres away from Marbella; in Jaén with the “El abuelo” and the encounter with the Virgin´s throne or in the Andalusian capital, Seville (La Paz, a brotherhood founded by veterans of the Spanish Civil War). These are just a sampling of some of the events of this week.

Holy-week-in-Spain-El-Abuelo

A Holy Week procession is comprised of Nazarenes in penitential robes bearing the various thrones, enormous platforms depicting different scenes from the gospels related to the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary.

Holy-week-in-Spain-Legionarios

These brotherhoods are Catholic organizations whose believers gather for the annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ, during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter.

Some of these thrones have stories and legends dating back over 500 years.

Holy-week-in-Spain-Cadiz

It may be difficult for those of a different culture to truly appreciate this Spanish religious event, but it is well worth the effort, for the beauty and pageantry surrounding this event should not be missed.

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