Holy Week is one of the most important and emblematic religious celebrations in Spain. During this week, the streets of many cities and towns are filled with processions, brotherhoods, and devotees commemorating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this article, we will explore the history, anecdotes, and curiosities surrounding Holy Week in Spain.

History of Holy Week in Spain

Holy Week has its roots in the celebrations of Passover in Judaism. With the spread of Christianity in Europe and the arrival of the Christian faith in the Iberian Peninsula, these festivities evolved and adapted to the new religion. Holy Week as we know it today in Spain began to take shape in the Middle Ages when brotherhoods and fraternities began to organize and participate in processions and liturgical acts.

Holy Week processions gained importance from the 16th century, particularly in cities such as Seville, Malaga, and Granada, where brotherhoods competed in the splendor and solemnity of their parades. Since then, Holy Week has become a cultural and religious manifestation of great importance in the lives of Spaniards.

Anecdotes and Curiosities of Holy Week in Spain

1. La Madrugá in Seville: The night from Holy Thursday to Good Friday in Seville is known as La Madrugá and is one of the most moving moments of Holy Week in this city. During La Madrugá, some of the most important and ancient brotherhoods in Seville organize their processions, such as La Macarena, La Esperanza de Triana, and El Gran Poder.
2. The nazarenos and their capirotes: One of the most characteristic images of Holy Week in Spain is that of the nazarenos, members of the brotherhoods who parade in processions wearing tunics and capirotes. These pointed capirotes, which cover the faces of the nazarenos, have their origin in public penance practiced by penitents in the Middle Ages. Today, the capirote symbolizes penance and the anonymity of the nazareno, who fulfills his promise in an act of humility.
3. The Christ of Medinaceli in Madrid: One of the most venerated images during Holy Week in Madrid is the Christ of Medinaceli, which parades on Good Friday through the streets of the capital. The image, which dates from the 17th century, was saved from the hands of Turkish pirates by Trinitarian monks and, since then, many miracles and favors are attributed to it.
4. Holy Week in Zamora: Holy Week in Zamora is one of the oldest and most sober in Spain, with processions dating back to the 13th century. During Holy Week, the streets of Zamora are filled with silence and respect, and penitents advance to the rhythm of drums and trumpets in an atmosphere of recollection and devotion.
5. The “Picaos” of San Vicente de la Sonsierra: In the town of La Rioja, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, one of the most surprising traditions of Holy Week in Spain takes place: the voluntary self-flagellation of the “Picaos”. These penitents, members of the Brotherhood of the Holy True Cross, whip themselves with a cotton ball on their back as a sign of penance and sacrifice.
6. The Maritime Holy Week in Valencia: In the Cabanyal neighborhood of Valencia, the Maritime Holy Week is celebrated, a festivity that combines religious devotion with the maritime traditions of the region. Processions include images of the Virgin of Sorrows and the Christ of the Good Death, which are carried to the sea during an emotional procession.
7. The Dance of Death in Verges: In the small village of Verges, in the province of Girona, one of the most curious and macabre Holy Week traditions in Spain takes place: the Dance of Death. During the night of Maundy Thursday, villagers dress up as skeletons and perform a dance symbolizing death and resurrection.
8. Holy Week in Cuenca and the “Turbas”: Holy Week in Cuenca is known for the “Turbas” or “Procession of the Drunks,” which takes place at dawn on Good Friday. During this procession, penitents play cornets and drums in a disorderly and shrill manner, creating a chaotic atmosphere that symbolizes the mockery and scorn that Jesus Christ suffered on his way to Calvary.

Holy Week in Spain is a deeply rooted celebration in the country’s culture and religiosity. Each region and locality brings its own traditions, anecdotes, and curiosities, making this festivity a unique and diverse event. From the solemn processions of Seville and Malaga to the singular dances of Verges and the “Turbas” of Cuenca, Holy Week in Spain is an unforgettable experience that reflects the cultural and spiritual richness of this nation.