• About
  • Travel Planning Services
  • Blog
    • Stories of People & Poetry
Global Heartbeat Travel

travel that speaks to the heart

MENU
  • Contact
  • Work with Me
    • Partners and Sponsors

March 21, 2018 By Hailey

Snapshots of Semana Santa in Spain

The week before Easter is a remarkable time to visit Spain. It’s Holy Week – Semana Santa in Spanish – and the religious holiday is celebrated with long processions, enormous floats, striking costumes and haunting music. If you find yourself traveling in Spain during this extraordinary week, you very well may come across sights such as these snapshots of Semana Santa.

SEMANA SANTA IN CÓRDOBA

In Córdoba, immense floats depicting scenes from the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, called pasos or tronos in Spanish, exit through the doors of the Mezquita, the city’s main cathedral (and former mosque), which is no simple task. The capataz must give explicit instructions to the float bearers who carefully maneuver through the ancient doorway. Once clear of the Mezquita, the processions continue through the narrow, twisted streets of Córdoba.

The Catholic brotherhoods, called hermandades or cofradías, are the religious fraternities that continue the Semana Santa traditions. Each hermandad has its own crest and colors and is responsible for particular processions. Perhaps the most distinct figures in the Semana Santa processions of Spain are the nazarenos, members of the brotherhoods who wear their iconic robe and conical hoods (called capirotes). Unfortunately, this image in America is now associated with the KKK, but this Spanish tradition goes back centuries. The hoods are a sign of penance and represent reverence for the Christ figure.

In Córdoba, the costaleros carry the floats using their heads, necks and shoulders. They wear old flour sacks on their heads, earning the nickname sack men. The costaleros take turns carrying the weighty pasos.

Even if you can’t see the processional, you can hear it. Brass bands follow behind the pasos, and their sound is unmistakeable. The music can be boisterous and celebratory or forlorn and sombre. The music is as much a part of Semana Santa as the costumes and floats.

Semana Santa is a religious festival that incorporates every age. On Palm Sunday, children carry palm fronds in the processions.

SEMANA SANTA IN GRANADA

Semana Santa is a time for long-standing traditions, which can be seen in the various costumes during processions. From priestly garb to women all in black, you are sure to see a range of uniforms during Semana Santa.

Plus, not all nazarenos have pointed hoods. This group carries crosses during the procession.

Although the Semana Santa floats will illustrate many of the same scenes from the Passion Week (i.e. the triumphal entry, Jesus carrying his cross, Jesus on the cross, his mother Mary), they are each unique and deserve a good look – for they are all ornate and richly decorated.

SEMANA SANTA IN SEVILLA

In almost every city, the pasos are stored in cathedrals and churches when they are not being paraded through the streets. This way, the public can come up close to admire the exquisite designs. Silver and gold decorate the sizable frames, adding to their significant weight!

In Sevilla, the streets are small and crowded. Women watch from the balcony as Mary’s throne passes by, while onlookers below try to catch a glimpse. Near the Cathedral of Sevilla, part of the processional route is marked with “VIP seating” which requires purchased tickets but guarantees a viewing spot.

SEMANA SANTA IN MÁLAGA

Some say that Semana Santa in Málaga is a little more joyous, a little less somber. The processions are filled with fascinating characters – the most lively being some of the costaleros who walk on the outside of the floats.

Processions can last a reallllllllly long time. Like all-day-all-night long. And because the costaleros in Málaga are not hidden under the floats, you can see the strain on their faces, as they work together – step by step – to make it to the finish line.

Being in Spain during Semana Santa is one of my favorite travel memories to date. I mean, I do love all-things-Spain… but this time was truly, truly special. To witness processions in all the major cities of Andalucía was a moving experience, and I would love to stand in the streets again someday. Religious or not, I think every traveler could appreciate the magnitude of this remarkable festival!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO SHARE…

But what do you think? Have you ever been to Spain during Semana Santa? Do you enjoy local festivals and parades, even if it’s not something you’re familiar with?

Postcards from Hailey
I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp ( more information )
Get helpful tips, exclusive insights, and updates on my latest travels - just every once in a while! Also, when you subscribe, you'll receive my lookbook "The Best of Switzerland" for free :) So, what are you waiting for? Continue the adventure and join my travel team today!
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
Tweet
Share on Tumblr

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

♥ Connect with Me ♥



💫 2020 - not about travel; all about family. 💫

#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

.
.
.
#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow
📷: @whitneykeilman
Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circ Merry Christmas, y’all! 🤍 No matter your circumstances, may you experience JOY in this holiday season and have HOPE  for a brighter year ahead. 

.
.
.
#littleAlpenRose #WaveyBow 

📷: @whitneykeilman
• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
Follow on Instagram

  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • 7 Things to Do in Zurich in Winter 7 Things to Do in Zurich in Winter
  • Hiking in Zermatt: 3 Scenic Trails You Don’t Want to Miss Hiking in Zermatt: 3 Scenic Trails You Don't Want to Miss
  • To the Top of Pilatus To the Top of Pilatus
  • The Best Fondue Restaurants in Zurich The Best Fondue Restaurants in Zurich
  • 6 Fun Things To Do At The Zurich Airport 6 Fun Things To Do At The Zurich Airport
  • 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning
  • Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck
  • An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter
  • The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida
  • 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal
  • Today Week Month All
  • Sorry. No data yet.
Ajax spinner

Tags

adventure travel art & culture beach trip expat life family travel festivals & holidays food & drink hiking Munich Orlando Paris people & poetry Photography product reviews reflections road trips Sicily summer travel tiny country spotlight travel tips winter travel Zermatt Zurich

Recent Posts

  • 3 Questions to Ask Before Travel Planning
  • Reset & Ready: An Update from the Swiss Family Domeck
  • An Open Letter to My NEWEST Newborn Daughter
  • The Don CeSar: Highlights from Our Stay at the Pink Palace of Florida
  • 7 Tips For Planning A Trip to Nepal

 

DISCLAIMER POLICY

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE “POSTCARDS FROM HAILEY”

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Discover Stories

adventure travel art & culture beach trip expat life family travel festivals & holidays food & drink hiking Munich Orlando Paris people & poetry Photography product reviews reflections road trips Sicily summer travel tiny country spotlight travel tips winter travel Zermatt Zurich

Global Heartbeat Travel

Copyright © 2023 Global Heartbeat Travel travel that speaks to the heart

 

Loading Comments...