If you’re looking for a unique experience and a cultural voyage look no further. There is no better time to visit Andalucia than during Semana Santa also known as Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the streets come alive with the sights and sounds of this important Catholic religious festival. Here´s everything you need to know.
The Passion of Semana Santa
Experiencing the Holy Week: A Cultural Voyage Through Semana Santa lasts one week. It begins the week prior leading up to Easter Sunday. This year it takes place from April 2nd to April 9th. During this time people come together. It evokes a lot of passion and emotion from those participating and watching. The main focal point of Semana Santa are the processions, which feature ornate floats called ”pasos”. It depicts the short final scenes from the Passion of Christ.
Each paso is carried by a team of “costaleros” bearing the weight on their shoulders. Those who walk alongside the floats are called “nazarenos“. They wear distinctive robes and pointy hoods called “capirotes“.
The processions take place throughout the city, and each “cofradia” or brotherhood has its own route and scheduling. Each province celebrates the tradition in their own unique way.
If you want to know more about Spain and its many traditions check out this post about Carnival in Cádiz.
Observe Semana Santa in Málaga
Check out the largest floats in Malaga referred to as “tronos“. These tronos take 150 to 250 men maximum to hold.
Some of the most popular processions include those of the “Esperanza”, “Mena”, “Cautivo”, and “Virgen de las Penas“. These are some of the most intricate “tronos” and are accompanied by beautiful music. Virgen de la Esperanza is the largest trono weighing up to 5 tons and takes roughly 250 costaleros to carry. It is accompanied by the throne of Christ.
You can find the exact schedule of processions here for 2023. If you’re visiting Malaga, it’s important to be aware of the crowds. Proccessions can be very busy, and there is a lot of congestion in the city center. It´s a good idea to arrive early and find a good spot to watch. Also, they last from 8 to 12 hours.
The Spanish Legion
Jueves Santo or Holy Thursday the soldiers of the Spanish Legion arrive by ship. They arrive at the port of Malaga and disembark. There they are welcomed by civilian and military officials.
In addition, they have a short ceremony and later begin their route on foot to take part in the transferring of religious figures. This the image of Santísimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte y Ánimas.
They continue through the streets singing their military hymn, Novio de la Muerte. Through the evening hours they follow along with the rest of the processions. Approximately 200 soldiers participate every year.
Unique Legion Uniforms For Soldiers
One of the most distinctive feature of the modern legion uniform is the khaki “gorrillo” cap worn on the head or “chapiri”. It has a red hanging tassel and detailed piping. Contrary to usual military practice, Legionarios are allowed to sport facial hair. It´s permitted to wear uniforms, both traditional and service, with the chest exposed.
Typical Dishes
Equally important is the variety of traditional food. Many restaurants offer special menus featuring traditional dishes. Such as “bacalao” salted cod and “potaje de vigilia” a lentil stew. There are a lot of street vendors aswell. Take a look at these delicious stuffed potatoes known as patatas asadas, cascarúo lemon with salt, and other snacks.
The most popular dessert is torrijas a type of French toast. The chunks of bread are dipped in a condensed milk mixture with eggs and sugar. Then sprinkled with cinnamon before frying. They come in a variety of additional flavors.
Overall, Semana Santa is a truly unforgettable event. Plus, whether you’re religious or not, or just a curious traveler, it offers an insight into the unique culture and traditions of Andalucia. It is definitely worth a visit.
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