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| Andalucia April in Andalucia Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Andalucia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Semana Santa, Andalucía
The Semana Santa takes place in April in Andalucia and most of Spain. While Semana Santa is a national tradition throughout Spain, the "Andalucians" arguably "feel" the week more than other regions of Spain. Throughout seven days, Andalucia is surrounded by a spiritual halo. Semana Santa is a tradition which is repeated year after year; a time when the devout and curious join together to participate in the procession and converge on the streets and squares which take on the ambience and mystique of an open air temple. The skill and expertise behind the parades rest with the religious fraternities and brotherhoods. They have the responsibility of maintaining the statues as well as coordinating the penitents and musicians. Sometimes up to two thousand members of a brotherhood take part, some carry candles, rods or banners depending on their level of seniority. The most senior is the president who carries a golden rod. Semana Santa, Andalucía The "costaleros" who carry the weight of the floats and their sculptured representations of the biblical scene are directed by the overseer or head of the group who ensure that the float is carried with maximum seriousness, grace and tradition. To be able to survive the long hours and distance carrying the heavy "thrones" the costaleros have a cushion, known as the costal, which prevents the direct contact of the wood rubbing against the skin. The thrones are followed by "nazarenos" dressed in tunics, hoods and masks and women dressed in traditional costume. The high point of the procession is when the float exits and enters the respective church. This is the moment when art and religion seem merged into one. A sculpture of images created by superb craftsmen. The best floats date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and can still be seen today. The entire scene is alive with colour and sound, thanks to the polychromatic variety of tunics, hoods, ensigns and banners. Emotions are stirred by the slow rythmic beating of the drums and processional marches, the swaying paces of the bearers and the poignant wailing of the "saeta" which is a sacred song, similar to the flamenco and sung through the Holy Week processions. Even if you are not religious, it is difficult not to be moved, the atmosphere is so vital and poignant. For some it is a fun filled fiesta time, for others a week of ritual and reflection. Without a doubt, Holy Week in Andalucia is a tradition that is an integral part of the culture and appropriately reflects the spirit of the people. Year after year, each and every village proudly enjoys the beauty and mystery of "Semana Santa" although there are variances and some towns for instance, will preserve certain traditions more than others. The villages and hamlets generally hold their parades on Thursdays and Fridays, while the large capital cities have week long celebrations and attract thousands of people from far and wide. Irrespective of size, each float represents the pride and enthusiasm of every Andaluz who will spend the entire night, from dusk until dawn, accompanying them in solemn reverence to his or her religion. The considerable variants of the Holy Week are determined by the historical evolution of religious fiestas and, above all, by folk traditions which determine individuality and character. Malaga and Seville are the two Andaluz cities where the festivities are perhaps the best known for the sheer sense of spectacle and size Semana Santa Seville In 2007 Semana Santa will be the week of April 1- April 8. Semana Santa is Holy Week and Sevilla’s celebration is likely the most famous in the world. Whether you are religious or not there’s something to enjoy and I guarantee you won't see anything like it anywhere else. There are more than 55 church brotherhoods, some dating as far back as the 13th century, which take part in Semana Santa, carrying over 115 different floats, or pasos, through the streets of Sevilla. Nazarenos accompany the pasos in the march and in some cases number more than 2,000 for certain processions - in this case you may have to wait an hour to see the actual float. Marching bands play music - la marcha procesiónal - which influences the pace and action of the pasos. Some processions, such as El Silencio, march in silence and without music. Almost every procession includes an image of Christ - different depending on what scene in the bible it depicts - as well as an image of the Virgin Mary, always in mourning for the death of Christ. The images of the Virgin are often the most anticipated for their subtle differences - from facial expressions and characteristics, to tears or other details in the paso. The paso from the Macarena is perhaps one of the most famous imagenes of the Virgin Mary. Semana Santa for many means more than the processions in the streets. It marks the arrival of spring in Sevilla with a week long celebration that fills the streets, churches, bars and restaurants. It's moving your way around the center of the city and through the crowd in search of the best spot to catch a procession or float, all the while testing your knowledge of the winding streets of Sevilla. Semana Santa is la madrugá, when you "leave for the day" around 10:30pm and spend the entire night and morning following the action. It's a mixture of smells: orange blossoms or azahar, incense, candle wax and cheap cologne of the person standing on your foot because there's no room to spare. Semana Santa is torrijas, wine, beer and the bocadillo in some bar you swore you'd never go to until you were dying of hunger. It's valuing the comfort of a good pair of shoes you put on 10 hours ago. Semana Santa is exercising restraint as you keep from pushing over that mean old woman next to you who just took your space. If you live in the center Semana Santa is hearing the drum beat of a processional march at almost any hour as it makes it's way down your street. And for weeks after who can forget the sound of cars screeching in the streets as their tires run over candle wax left by the nazarenos.
1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Alcalá de Guadaíra Province: Sevilla Telephone: 955682424 Url: http://www.ayunt-sevilla.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. During the early hours of Good Friday the religious guild of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth moves the hearts of all present. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Castilleja de la Cuesta Province: Sevilla Telephone: 954117151 Url: http://www.ayunt-sevilla.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Here Easter is celebrated in a special way and Easter Sunday is outstanding. Since the 16th century, two religious guilds prepare floats depicting the Easter story; a guild member dressed in typical costume from the Calle Real guild carries the insignia in procession on horse-back for around 3 hours. While the religious guild of La Plaza from early in the morning carries the Holy Sacrament around the Plaza de Santiago. At 10 a.m. "La Vuelta" starts and goes around the village with the carreta and the banner of Our Lady of Soledad, it ends around 3 p.m. with the "Recogida" or return. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Riogordo Province: Málaga Telephone: 952732154 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. It has been declared to be of National Tourist Interest because of its "El Paso de Riogordo" passion plays. On Good Friday and Easter Saturday, Riogordo becomes the stage in an area of over 10.000 square metres, where around 500 local people present twelve scenes from the Old testament and the Passion of Christ. It is a magnificent show that is really surprising. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Granada Province: Granada Telephone: 958248100 Url: http://www.granada.org Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The image of Christ of the Gypsies is carried up the steep streets of Sacromonte. Bonfires are lit, all the lights are turned off and a saeta (hymn in Flamenco style sung at Easter)fills the air with pain. And for even more emotions, the image of "Silencio" or silence is caried down the Carrera el Darro . The Holy Week in the city of Granada has a defined personality that you have to find for yourself in the streets, with the religious images of the artists Pedro de Mena, Alonso Cano and Diego de Siloé. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Jaén Province: Jaén Telephone: 953219100 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Easter in the city of Jaén has been celebrated since the 16th century, with outstandingly beautiful images. The moment of most splendour is in the early hours of Good Friday when the procession of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth leaves the Cathedral, called afectionately "El Abuelo" or Grandfather by the local people. The city of the Holy Face greets the venerated Nazarean accompanied by over 7.000 penitents with a lovely meeting between Our Father Jesus with Our Lady of Pains. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Ayamonte Province: Huelva Telephone: 959470376Url: http://www.ayuntamientohuelva.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. With the different religious guilds and associations organising events in Lent. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Alora Province: Málaga Telephone: 952496100 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. "La Despedía" (saying goodbye) is on Good Friday when the religious images of Jesus of Nazareth of Torres and the Crowned Holy Mary of Pains. The two images are carried by eight penitents or Nazarenos, they carry the images on their knees towards each other, according to the orders of the warden. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Antequera Province: Málaga Telephone: 952708108 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. To the sound of the cry "To the valley!" thousands of antequeranos run up the steep streets of the town according to the tradition of the faithful who try not to be caught by the procession every Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. With the paso or float on their shoulders, the guild members of Our Lady of Pains, Solace, Peace and Succour start their return journey to their churches by running up long steep hills. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Archidona Province: MálagaTelephone: 952714061 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. The Plaza Ochavada witnesses the most important moments of the Holy Week, that thanks to the wealth of the artistic heritage and the antiquity has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Arcos de la Frontera Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956700002 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest. It is a reproduction of the Passion and Death of Christ. The floats depicting the Easter story are carried in procession through the steep, narrow and winding streets, almost scraping against the walls of the houses, the smell of incense, wax, carnations, lilies, the tunics of the penitents, all take us back to Jerusalem of the times of Christ. The Resurection of Christ is celebrated by running two fighting bulls through the streets, the bravest can try their hand at bullfighting and the more gentle hearted can watch from the balconies. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Espera Province: CádizTelephone: 956720011 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Almuñécar Province: Granada Telephone: 958630333 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. On the morning of Good Friday representation of part of the Easter story and on Easter Saturday a Passion play. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest. |
Holy week Municipality 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Marchena Province: Sevilla Telephone: 955846457 Url: http://www.ayunt-sevilla.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Saetas (hymns sung in Flamenco style at Easter)can be heard all over town as the religious images pass in procession. The passion plays are outstanding like "El mandato" on Good Friday. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Vélez-Málaga Province: Málaga Telephone: 952500100Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Don't miss visiting this village at Easter with its over 500 years of history. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Carmona Province: Sevilla Telephone: 954140090 Url: http://www.ayunt-sevilla.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. From Palm Sunday through to Good Friday you can enjoy the Holy Week processions in this beautiful town with the stations of the Cross starting from the parish churches and then going to the Priory church of Santa María and then back to their churches. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Baza Province: Granada Telephone: 958700395 Url: http://www.granada.org Holy Week. The variety and cultural wealth Baza offers visitors at Easter combines with the celebretions and religious fervour that takes over the streets and every corner of the town. The religious guilds, the Authorities and the whole village take part in the processions that are outstanding because of their majestic character and expression. This as well as their exceptional appearance in Baza, an attraction difficult to beat. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Loja Province: Granada Telephone: 958321156 Url: http://www.granada.org Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The censers are outstanding and there is a "Corrilla" or short race on Good Friday. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Linares Province: Jaén Telephone: 953649100 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The quality of the bands that head the processions and the trumpeters are outstanding, the religious images and the Expiración guild in calle Marqués are beautiful. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Úbeda Province: Jaén Telephone: 953750440 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. In Úbeda Holy Week takes on the austerity of Castile and the colour of Andalucía. And through the streets of the capital of Andalusian Renaissance around 20 religious guilds prepare processions, the oldest dating from the 16th century. A spectacle well worth seeing. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Baeza Province: Jaén Telephone: 953219100 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Its artistic wealth of the religious images is outstanding. Around twenty religious guilds prepare floats depicting the Easter story that are carried through the streets and plazas of the town in procession. One of the most beautiful moments you can see is on the morning of Good Friday during the procession of the guild of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth and the Cross of Santa Elena, when the image of Christ blesses the local people by making the sign of the cross with his hand when the two images pass. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Alhaurín el Grande Province: Málaga Telephone: 952490000 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Declarada de Inteés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía. Holy Week is the most important celebration in Alhaurín El Grande, with Holy Wednesday and Easter Sunday worth mentioning when the Passion, Death and the Resurrection of of Christ are enacted by the religious guild of Our Father Jesus of Nazareth (the purple tunics) and the religious guild of the venerable Holy Christ of the Holy Cross(the green tunics) with the legionaires marching in the parade. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Campillos Province: Málaga Telephone: 952722168 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Many celebrations take place in Lent: a Saetas competition (hymn sung in Flamenco form at Easter during the processions) and a Processional March competition. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Alcalá del Valle Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956135080 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The celebrations on Easter Sunday stand out, with a procession of the cakes and the "Carrerita de San Juan" or Saint John's run, the image of the Saint is carried by youths from the village who run through the village to meet the Virgin Mary and tell her of the Resurrection of her son. The staging of evangelic scenes that are a deeply rooted tradition here. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Moriles Province: CórdobaTelephone: 957537000 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Most of the local people participate, either under a tunic and hood or as a bearer or representing a biblical figure, commemorating the Passion and Death of Christ. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: San José del Valle Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956160417 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. The passion plays are outstanding, also processions depicting the Passion of Christ. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Puente Genil Province: Córdoba Telephone: 957605034 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The Passion of Christ is relived with fervour with the anticipation of hundreds of people. With staging of scenes from the Old and New Testament where the Roman Empire is present in all its glory on the "Roman Saturdays". This centenary tradition consists in the Romans marching up to the Plaza el Calvario to honour the "Terrible" with their Musicians and to share some local wine in good friendship while they sing. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Aguilar de la Frontera Province: Córdoba Telephone: 952212190 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The big day is on Good Friday when at 6 a.m. they stage the arrest of Christ at the Soterraño parish church; in the plaza de San José the images of Jesus of Nazereth and Holy Mary of Grief meet, they face each other and simulate a hug. The final procession is Christ of Health, a small sculpture which the local people are very devoted to, the guild member wear tunics with trians that are 15 metres long. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Córdoba Province: Córdoba Telephone: 957499900 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. Those who come to see the Holy Week in the city of Córdoba for the first time, will easily differenciate between the popular guilds and those of silence. The first are recognised by their bright colours and lively Music and the second by their funeral type character but there are also a lot of nuances to see. Another basic character of this religious celebration is that most of the processions go through the old part of the city of Córdoba where Holy Week takes on special dimensions with a visual spectacle of great quality with a backdrop of the outstanding monuments in the city. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Gádor Province: Almería Telephone: 950513302 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week. The local people celebrate Easter in a special way. On Easter Sunday and Maundy Thursday over one hundred local people stage different scenes from the Passioin of Christ in the village streets and on Easter Sunday night there is a Festival called the "la noche de los carros" or night of the carts when the local people place carts and old cars with flowers at the windows of the young girls they want to woo according to an ancient local tradition. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Huércal-Overa Province: Almería Telephone: 950134900 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week. Popular and well known because of the majestic wealth of the processional floats and the wealth of the religious images, the competition between the different guilds and the organisation of the processions in the style of the Levante region. Holy week. 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Alcalá la Real Province: Jaén Telephone: 953580000 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of Natinal Tourist Interest in Andalucía. During Holy Week you can see images like the Jewish army, with white faces and a helmet decorated with spring flowers; or there is the "sayones" with black faces, representing the Roman guards in the different Passion plays. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Cuevas del Almanzora Province: Almería Telephone: 950618473 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The nightly processions start on Holy Monday with a Via Crucis, on Holy Tuesday there is the procession of the image of the Virgen de las Angustias, it is the only procession in Cuevas that is carried by women. Easter Sunday is outstanding with one of the most ancient and traditional processions in Cuevas, organised by the religious guild of Our Lady of Solitude. The image of Jesus meets his mother the Virgin Mary and when they are carried through the different streets the local people throw petals to them from the balconies. In short a Holy Week that together with the hospitality of the local people and the spring weather make Cuevas the ideal destination. Holy week. the passion of christ in iznajar. 7th April 2007 Municipality: Iznájar Province: Córdoba Telephone: 957534002 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. The Passion of Christ in Iznajar. The village of Iznajar lives the Passion of Christ in first person. The Easter Passion plays are outstanding with the participation of over 100 people dressed in period costume. Holy week. 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Morón de la Frontera Province: Sevilla Url: http://www.ayto-morondelafrontera.org Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Nine religious guilds prepare floats, depicting the Easter story, are carried through the streets in procession from Palm Sunday through to Easter Saturday, to commemorate the Passion and Death of Christ. The quality of the religious images is outstanding, almost all them are Baroque. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Montoro Province: Córdoba Telephone: 957160425 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Don't miss this emotive Holy Week, with moments the one on Ash Wednesday with the Holy Christ of Pains, with the procession of the Holy Cross, or on the afternoon of Holy Thursday in El Charco, where the Roman Empire, made up of 300 members, capture Christ of Humility. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: San José del Valle Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956160417 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Línea de la Concepción (La) Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956696200 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Holy Week in la Línea has become one of the most important in Andalucía. The religious images of the fifteen religious guilds are outstanding, with their embroidery, gold and silver objetcs and floral decorations. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Setenil de las Bodegas Province: Cádiz Telephone: 956134004 Url: http://www.cadizturismo.com Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. It is a deeply rooted cultural tradition with the local people and the rivalry between two of the religious guilds is singular, the Santa Vera Cruz (white tunics) and Our Father Jesús (the black tunics), rivalry that is called the "war of bands". Due to the steep narrow streets of the town some processinal floats have to be taken apart to get past and some of them have to use supplementary raised platforms. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Baena Province: Córdoba Telephone: 957670000 Url: http://www.ayuncordoba.es Holy Week. You will enjoy a week of passion here, declared to be of National Tourist Interest because of the beauty of the religious images as well as the fervour of the local people. Thirty different floats depicting the Easter story are carried through the streets in procession, the Jews playing drums, some dressed in white to form the white train and other in black forming the black one. Holy week 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Huércal-Overa Province: Almería Telephone: 950134900 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week in Huércal-Overa is well known and popular because of its majestic wealth of the floats, the artistic valour of the religious images, the competition between the different guilds and the organisation of the processions in the style of the Levante region. There is no other Holy Week as beautiful and singular and this is why it has been Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. The three religious guilds called "The purple guild", the "the white guild" and the "black guild" se bastan para plasmar la fe de un pueblo que se vuelca durante estos días. Holy week. 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Almería Province: Almería Telephone: 950210000 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week. 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Martos Province: Jaén Telephone: 953704005 Url: http://www.promojaen.es Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Scenes that captivate both visitors and local people alike. Holy week. 1st to 8th April 2007 Municipality: Málaga Province: Málaga Telephone: 952135000 Url: http://www.malagaturismo.com Holy Week. The Holy Week in the city of Málaga will be something different for those who have never been to the city at Easter will be surprised to see that here the Passion of Christ is not relived in solemnity and silence. In Málaga Holy Week is lived with good humour, bustle, cheers, spontaneous Saetas (hymns sung in Flamenco style) and applause as the images depicting the Easter story pass in procession. Military parades to the the Music of bands playing marches or singing on route. All this does not mean a lack of religious feeling, just the particular way the local people express their faith and sentiments of Holy Week. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía. Holy week 6th and 8th April 2007 Municipality: Turre Province: Almería Telephone: 950479011 Url: http://www.indalia.es Holy Week. You have to visit Turre at Easter to hear the local village people sing primitive Saetas (hymns sung at Easter in Flamenco form) as the images depicting the Passion of Christ pass by in procession. But Easter also has another attraction: "the races and falls" where the religious guild of Saint John runs ahead of the image. |
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