Easter in Spain

The Passion of Easter Week in Spain

Semana Santa or Holy Week is upon us and one thing is clear – regardless of religion or faith this ancient tradition stirs emotions. Be it the scents of incense, orange blossom and candle wax that impregnate the streets, the imposing drum beats or the solemn imagery of  the hooded Nazarenos, Semana Santa never fails to move both locals and visitors alike.

Easter occurs at a different time every year. The general concensus is that Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon -  which is the first full moon after the 21st March.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Easter holiday with a charming procession where children carry palm leaves and flowers, however as the week goes by the processions take on a more serious tone culminating with the resurrection on Easter Sunday. So whilst some of us are busy hunting for Easter bunnies and painting Easter eggs, others are working hard to do penance for their sins. In fact during the Processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday it is not uncommon to see participants following the floats bare foot.

The centre piece of most processions are the floats. Usually of artistic significance and often antique, the floats vary in size and weight but you wouldn´t want to volunteer to be a Costalero (the members of the brotherhoods that carry the float) in Malaga – they can weigh up to 6 tons there!

The floats usually depict characters or scenes from the bible and almost always include Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Often draped in velvet fabric with gold adornments, the floats are usually covered in thousands of flowers.

Following the floats are the Nazarenos, whose appearance could almost be confused with that of the Klu Klux Clan but rest assured that the cone shaped head gear that is worn is actually due to the belief that it will bring them closer to the heavens… In some places like Seville, up to two thousand members of brotherhoods take part and depending on which city or town you are in, are often followed by an orchestra of drums and trumpets. 

One thing is clear, if you´re lucky enough to be in Spain during Easter, this is one spectacle you can´t afford to miss – the colours, symbolism, scents and sheer dramatism make this religious display a breathtaking experience… but before you wallow in self righteousness, rest assured that the majority of the Spanish population also view Semana Santa as the perfect excuse to go out for a drink to enjoy the holidays, Easter Weather and the beginning of the tourist season!