Download - Semana Santa En España
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of the most important celebrations in Spain. This is also called Pascua (Easter).
Domingo de Ramos
• Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) marks the beginning of Holy Week. Many people go to church for a special mass. Children are given a palm branch by their godparents. This represents the olive branches laid on the ground to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem.
Las procesiones
• Large floats called “pasos” make their way through the streets. They have religious figures on them. They are often very elaborate and always very heavy!
Los costaleros• The “pasos” are carried by groups of
men called “costaleros”.• Here they are practising with sandbags.
They move very slowly.
Viernes Santo
• Good Friday is commemorated with very serious and sombre processions. They are usually either silent or accompanied by slow drumming.
Los penitentes
“Los penitentes” carry a wooden cross and wear a floppy hood, “un antifaz”. They are often in processions on Good Friday.
Sábado santo – Easter Saturday
This is perhaps the most mournful day of processions, as people remember Christ’s burial.