Holy Week in Andalusia

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Nazarrenos in Jerez de la Frontera.

The Holy Week in Andalusia is the annual Christian commemoration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth and one of the most genuine expressions of Andalusian Christian sentiment. It is a sociocultural, tourist and economic phenomenon of great importance in the community, deeply rooted among its inhabitants, who participate massively in it, giving rise to the most diverse approaches, from the strictest orthodoxy to a merely cultural vision.

Through the processions that take place in hundreds of towns and cities, organized by the brotherhoods, steps with images or sculptural groups are taken out onto the streets, sometimes of great historical-artistic value, representing scenes from the Passion, Death and Resurrection. These are accompanied by an important procession of penitents or Nazarenes, wearing the habit of the brotherhood, carrying candles or crosses, as well as lanterns, banners, as well as women in mantillas and musical accompaniment.

The Holy Week in Malaga (1980), Granada (2009) and Seville (1980) are classified as being of international tourist interest, and of national tourist interest are the Holy Week in Jerez de la Frontera (1993), Cabra (1989), Río Gordo (1997), Baena (2001) Almería (2017) and Cádiz (2022). In another Rank are those declared only of Tourist Interest by the Secretary of State of the Government of Spain, which falls within the Holy Week of Arcos de la Frontera (1980), Puente Genil (1980), Baeza (1980), Ubeda (1980), Jaen (1981) and Huercal Overa (1983). At the next level comes the turn of those declared of national tourist interest by the Junta de Andalucía, which are Córdoba, Huelva, Carmona, Ecija, Ayamonte, Antequera, Castro del Río, Marchena, Utrera, Lucena and dozens of other Andalusian municipalities. In addition, in 2006 the Andalusian government generally declared Holy Week in Andalusia as a festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia due to its unique and cultural characteristics and its tourist importance.

Easter Weeks declared of Tourist Interest

Province of Almeria

Christ of the Good Death of Olula del Río

Holy Week in Almería was declared of National Tourist Interest on January 8, 2019, previously since 2003 it held the title of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia, a title of lower rank granted by the Junta de Andalucía. At Easter time, the population of Almería has an appointment pending, just like the other provinces. In Almería capital, 22 brotherhoods procession, the Youth Brotherhood of Santo Cristo del Perdón is very remarkable, especially when it performs the Stations of the Cross in an official race with the streetlights off, and also the meeting on Holy Thursday in the circular square of Almería. Then in the province also stand out the Holy Week of Berja with nine brotherhoods, Huercal Overa (declared of Tourist Interest in 1983 by the government of Spain) with four brotherhoods, Vélez Rubio also with four, Cuevas de Almanzora and, although it is not of interest national tourist, Holy Week in Sorbas stands out with five brotherhoods. Also in the province, the Holy Week of Olula del Río gains popularity, with five brotherhoods, highlighting on Holy Monday the brotherhood of the Passion, on Holy Tuesday, the Brotherhood of Students, holding the meeting of their mystery throne with Verónica, and at dawn from Thursday to Good Friday, with the brotherhood of the Christ of the Good Death carrying the crucified on their shoulders and accompanied by legionary knights. In Macael, its procession of the Risen Christ stands out, where the Virgin runs through its streets in search of the Risen Jesus.

Province of Cádiz

Vera-Cruz de Jerez.

Holy Week in Jerez

The Holy Week in Jerez de la Frontera stands out, as it is one of the most important in Andalusia in terms of the number of brotherhoods, the quality of their carvings and iconographic ensembles. It is the second with the largest number of brotherhoods after Seville. Holy Week in Jerez was declared of National Tourist Interest in 1993. The 46 penance brotherhoods that it has fill a week with content, which goes from Passion Saturday to Resurrection Sunday, in which the historical roots of this festival come into force once again. particular celebration. Each year it has corners specially dedicated to the saeta that catalyzes the enormous cultural heritage that underlies this genuine way of understanding this art, with styles ranging from the "seguiriya" to the "martinete", passing through the "soleá" or the "jailer". In short, a Holy Week with its own label, which also unites these references, an imagery of enormous quality, and also a magnificent collection of belongings, some of which belonged to the first Sevillian processional school, which had their final destination in Sherry. This allows you to enjoy every year mystery pasos loaded with undeniable flavor, which still retain the aura with which they were conceived, and likewise, canopy pasos that inherit from history the design, goldsmithing and embroidery of the great masters. All the days of Holy Week are of maximum interest, but a deep-rooted day at dawn on Good Friday stands out, which in Jerez has its own name, being called the Night of Jesus. It should be noted that Jerez de la Frontera has its own Diocese, independent from that of Cádiz-Ceuta, so even though it belongs to the province of Cádiz, it must be studied individually as another Diocese that it is, which in turn houses a wide number of municipalities with highly valued Holy Week celebrations, such as that of the episcopal see itself, Jerez de la Frontera, as well as those of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Arcos de la Frontera, Setenil de las Bodegas or El Puerto de Santamaría, among other localities of wide passionate fervor that make up the Diocese of Asidonia Jerez.

Holy Week in Cádiz

The Nazarene of Cadiz.

The one in Cádiz capital, has an artistic heritage within which carvings by sculptors such as Miguel Láinez Capote or Jacinto Pimentel stand out. as well as Genoese imagery. The 31 Brotherhoods of the city run through the beautiful streets of the old town, whose eighteenth-century style gives it a very special romantic air. The style of charging, unique and elegant, is on the shoulders, but unlike other towns, inside the pass. Los Cargadores, (as they are called in the city and not "costaleros"), are accompanied by the characteristic sound of the forks carried by the so-called "maniguetas" (brothers brothers who also carry the weight of the step but who go around the outside in a variable number from 4 to 8. Holy Week in Cádiz has been declared in 2022 of National Tourist Interest.

Holy Week in San Fernando

The Expiration of San Fernando in the magna procession 2010.

Holy Week in San Fernando (belonging to the Diocese of Cadiz-Ceuta) is also of great heritage. Declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia in 2003. In San Fernando it is worth noting the large number of brotherhoods, which currently stands at 22, which procession between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. It is also worth noting the style of loading on La Isla. The loaders go with their "almohá" which they tie to their corresponding stick. In San Fernando there are 3 to 4 brotherhoods every day, and 1 in the Madrugá, which is the most revered brotherhood and with the most devotees; that of Our Father Jesus Nazareno and Mary Most Holy of Sorrows. Also highlighting the imposing mysteries of Ecce Homo, Arrest and Vera Cruz.

Holy Week in Sanlúcar de Barrameda

The Nazarene of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The Holy Week of Sanlúcar de Barrameda (belonging to the Diocese of Asidonia Jerez) is also of special importance in the province, with 17 brotherhoods and 4 groups. The Sanlúcar brotherhoods walk between the Barrio Bajo, in the lower part of the city, and the Barrio Alto, in the upper part. To do this, they must walk through long and steep slopes between these two neighborhoods, through narrow streets and secluded squares, from their beautiful and ancient churches and parishes. They have two characteristic elements that no one else possesses, the 'Cincho' (Way of carrying the paso with leather straps) and the 'Chasca' (Wooden instrument similar to a castanet that is used to restart or stop the walk of the Nazarenes). The ascent of the Brotherhood of the Borriquita on Palm Sunday up the Cuesta de Belén without stopping until they reach the top is striking.

Holy Week in Arcos de la Frontera

In Arcos de la Frontera, a holy week declared of Tourist Interest in 1980 by the Spanish government is commemorated, although with the third rank granted by the ministerial order of 1979. Today it also holds the title of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia granted by the Junta de Andalucía. Arcos de la Frontera belongs to the Diocese of Asidonia Jerez and in its Holy Week its images and its brotherly heritage stand out, making it one of the most special in the Province of Cádiz. This religious celebration has been linked to the town for more than four centuries of existence. The brotherhood tradition of Arcos de la Frontera led to the creation of a monument in stone and wrought iron with three Nazarenes carrying the guiding cross, with a circular base where the insignia of the brotherhoods that participate in Holy Week in Arcos de la Frontera are engraved. border.

Other notable Holy Week

In the province of Cádiz, and belonging to both the Diocese of Asidonia Jerez and to that of Cádiz-Ceuta, the Holy Weeks of the following towns are also declared of Tourist Interest: La Línea de la Concepción, Alcalá del Valle, Arcos de la Frontera, Olvera, Espera, Setenil de las Bodegas, and San Roque

Cordoba Province

In Córdoba capital, 38 brotherhoods procession, plus some that, being young, are called Pro-Brotherhoods and only do it for their neighborhoods.

Since 2017, it has a single official Race, in which all the brotherhoods carry out the Penance Station up to the S.I.C, beginning the Official Race at the Plaza del Triunfo (Puerta del puente) and ending at the Puerta de Santa Catalina of the Mosque-Cathedral.

The first day that there are processions in Córdoba is the penultimate Saturday of Lent with the Pro-hermandad de la Bonadad and they walk the streets of their neighborhood. The following procession takes place on Passion Wednesday with the Pro-Brotherhood of the Fifth Anguish that runs through the streets near the Temple to which it belongs. The following day the Puerta Nueva Pro-Brotherhood of Health processions, which, like the previous ones, tour the streets of their neighborhood. On Friday of Dolores, the Fraternity of the Holy Christ of Providence carries out a procession and performs a Stations of the Cross at the Mosque-Cathedral accompanied by the Band of Hope of Córdoba. Different Brotherhoods carry out Stations of the Cross and transfers in different parts of the city. That same day, thousands of people from Cordoba visit the Virgen de los Dolores (Image with the most devotees in the city). On Saturday, the Pro-Brotherhood of the Transfer to the Sepulcher (the daisies), Pro-Brotherhood of the O (from the Fátima neighborhood), and Hermandad del Figueroa procession in their neighborhoods. On Good Friday, the Brotherhood of the Dolores de Alcolea processions through the streets of their neighborhood.

The processional parades of Holy Week proper begin on Palm Sunday, in which a total of 6 Brotherhoods procession. In the morning La Borriquita does it and in the afternoon the Brotherhoods of Las Penas de Santiago, El Rescatado, La Esperanza, El Amor and El Huerto. The last two are the only Brotherhoods in the city that have 3 steps each. On Holy Monday there are 6 Brotherhoods in procession, which are: La Merced, La Vera-Cruz, La Estrella, La Sentencia, El Remedio de Ánimas and the Via Crucis. On Holy Tuesday, another 6 Brotherhoods procession, which are: La Agonía, La Universitaria, La Sangre, La Santa Faz, El Buen Suceso and El Prendimiento. On Holy Wednesday, 6 Brotherhoods procession again: El Perdón, El Calvario, La Paz, La Misericordia, La Pasión and La Piedad. On Holy Thursday, once again, 6 Brotherhoods procession: El Nazareno, La Caridad, El Caído, La Cena, Las Angustias and El Esparraguero, the last two parading until the wee hours of the morning. In the Córdoba dawn, the Brotherhood of La Buena Muerte processes, leaving at 0:00 and picking up at 5:30. On Good Friday morning, the Brotherhood of Charity performs a Stations of the Cross to the Mosque-Cathedral. On Good Friday afternoon, 6 Brotherhoods procession, which are: La Expiración, La Electromecánicas, La Soledad, El Descendimiento, Los Dolores and El Sepulcro. On Easter Sunday, the Brotherhood of the Risen One (the oldest brotherhood in the city) goes through a procession through Córdoba. For a whole week, true jewels of imagery process from their temples, such as the sculptural group of Our Lady of Sorrows Crowned by Juan de Mesa y Velasco from Cordoba, Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno Rescatado (Fernando Díaz de Pacheco, 1713) Our Lady of the Dolores Coronada (Juan Prieto1719), etc.

With regard to the province of Córdoba, it should be noted that its towns maintain strong roots in this tradition, with several towns being classified as Holy Week of National Tourist Interest. Of note are Holy Week in Cabra, declared of national tourist interest in 1989, and Holy Week in Baena, with the same title since 2001. Holy Week in Puente Genil has also held the title of Tourist Interest by the Spanish government since 1980, if well with the third rank granted by the ministerial order of 1979. In the same way, Holy Week in the town of Lucena (with Santería), Castro del Río (Antigua Saeta), Aguilar de la Frontera, Priego de Córdoba, Montoro, Montilla, Rute, La Rambla etc.

Granada Province

Virgin of the Soledad, Granada

Granada, like the rest of the Andalusian provinces, has an obligatory appointment with the Christian Semana Mayor. In Granada, the most remarkable thing is its beautiful landscape, with the Alhambra in the background, the streets of the Albaicín, so narrow or the typical images in the streets of the city center, which gives it an unrepeatable touch. With works from the 14th to the 16th century, highlighting authors such as José de Mora. It has some Brotherhoods of great tourist and artistic interest such as the Brotherhood of Silence, the Brotherhood of Rescue, the Brotherhood of the Piarists, whose virgin made a pilgrimage to Rome, the Brotherhood of the Gypsies or Brotherhood of Santa María de la Alhambra that was canonically crowned in May of the year 2000, thus becoming the first painful crown of Holy Week in Granada. Subsequently, the Virgin of Mercy of the Realejo neighborhood was crowned in 2007 and María Santísima de la Aurora del Albaicín in 2011 and María Santísima de la Amargura, in 2015. The next painful Granada crowned will be that of Hope, an image that is the work of José de Risueño and that it was "created" in 1718, it will be crowned on October 13, 2018. Granada has 32 brotherhoods. In October 2009, Granada's Holy Week of International Tourist Interest was declared.

Thus, then, throughout the province we can highlight Holy Week in Guadix (a city that is also the episcopal seat of the Diocese of its own name) and Loja, with its picturesque and peculiar censers; as well as that of Almuñécar, where the sacramental auto called "El Paso" is especially peculiar, where some of the images of its Holy Week represent the passion of Christ through movable joints.

Province of Huelva

Holy Week in Huelva has been declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia since 2003 by the Junta de Andalucía. Friday of Dolores and Saturday of Passion are the days before Palm Sunday, and you can already see some Brotherhoods through the streets Starting on Palm Sunday, the incredible crowd of people in the streets is noticeable. From now on, Huelva lives for and for Holy Week just like other cities. The first references to the celebration of the Passion of Christ in the city date from the 14th century, when brotherhoods such as "Pasión", "Santo Entierro" or "Vera Cruz". After the civil war, most of the original images were destroyed, but they were soon replaced or restored, thanks to the strong devotion to the event in the city. Most of the images that we currently find in the province are the work of Antonio León Ortega, considered one of the best Spanish sculptors of the XX century. and creator of his own style of Andalusian imagery.

We must also highlight the Holy Week in Ayamonte, also declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia in 1999 by the Andalusian Government itself and this being one of the oldest in the province of Huelva, as well as one of the most unique from Spain. The days prior to Palm Sunday, a multitude of cults and religious events take place, but it is from this day on when the streets of Ayamonte fill up with the public to watch their processions. Holy Week in Ayamonte has a total of 9 Brotherhoods, with Holy Saturday being the only day that none parade. As in the Huelva capital, most of the images are the work of the Ayamontino image maker Antonio León Ortega.

It is also worth noting Holy Week in Isla Cristina, Moguer, Aracena and Lepe

Province of Jaen

Christ of the Misericordias (Students) in the giennense Plaza de la Merced after leaving his temple.

Holy Week in the city of Jaén is one of the most beautiful in Spain, declared of Tourist Interest (since 1981) and National Tourist Interest of Andalusia (since 1997). It has processions as renowned as the one of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (better known as El Abuelo); the Jaenera procession with the most devotion, concentrating more than 10,000 people in its processional walk during the "madrugá".

Holy Week in Jódar, Dating back to the 16th century, it is one of the most deeply rooted and prestigious celebrations in the city, which commemorates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Considered one of the most important and popular in the province of Jaén, given the devotion, tradition and gastronomic customs. As well as the sociocultural, economic and tourist character, during these dates.

Holy Week in Úbeda is one of the most popular in Andalusia. It has been declared of Tourist Interest (since 1980) and of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia (since 1997). The features that characterize Ubet's Holy Week are, among others, respect, with some exceptions, for the chronological order of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ that the brotherhoods maintain in their penance stations; the General Procession on Good Friday night; the band of Romans from "La Humildad", considered the most spectacular band of Romans in Spain; and typical sweets such as Hornazo and Puritos Americanos.

Holy week in Baeza (a Festival of Tourist Interest since 1980 and of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia since 1997) is the current reality that best reflects the importance of the city in the ss. XV, XVI and XVII (when most of its brotherhoods originated), which has currently produced probably the highest rate of corporations weeks before in a Spanish city: twenty-two for a town of sixteen thousand inhabitants. That same historical importance of the city makes Holy Week in Baez stand out for the urban setting in which it takes place (world heritage city) and for the historical-artistic value of the images made in the ss. XVI and XVII: Mercy, Humility, The Step, and above all The Expiration and The Fall.

La Villacarrillo has a great tradition, which dates back to the antiquity of its brotherhoods (most of them dating from the 16th century). The imagery also stands out, including the images of Jesus Fallen (Navas Parejo, 1941), Our Señora de los Dolores (Blanco Pajares, 1941) or Jesús Yacente (Casanova Pinter, 1940), material heritage, such as the eighteenth-century tunic of Jesús Nazareno or the Silver Cross of the Holy Christ of Vera-Cruz (18th century) and the musical with works by composers such as Francisco Herrera Cano and Manuel A. Herrera Moya, especially noteworthy are the so-called "Cantos de pasión", a branch of Gregorian chant, which have their origin in the songs typical of the trades that They were interpreted in the disappeared convent of Veracruz in the 16th century, and today they are heard at dawn on Good Friday.

Another important Holy Week in the province is that of Huelma. Most of its brotherhoods, some dating from the 16th century, disappeared during the Civil War, as well as their images and belongings, with the exception of the brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores en su Soledad, which has been active since at least the 17th century.. Already in the middle of the 20th century, its brotherhoods were reorganized or refounded, the first being the brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno. Currently, it has a rich heritage, both material and imagery, with authors such as Luis Álvarez Duarte, Sánchez Mesa or Francisco Romero Zafra. It also has a great musical tradition, with various formations formed throughout the 20th century, leaving three local bands today. Its high point is the night of Holy Thursday and especially early on Good Friday, when the brotherhood of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno and María Santísima de la Amargura comes out, a brotherhood with the most devotion and that has more than 1,000 brothers in its ranks.

The Holy Week in Alcalá la Real, Martos and Torredonjimeno also stands out, in this town the famous procession of the corrías stands out and also that of Holy Thursday night in which, among others, the steps of the Holy Ecce-Homo and the Virgen de la Amargura, these last three declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia respectively in 1999, 2002 and 2004); without forgetting those of Bailén, Santisteban del Puerto, La Carolina, Andújar, Beas de Segura, Villanueva de la Reina and Pozo Alcón.

Malaga Province

Christ Coronado de Espinas in procession by the main Alameda in Malaga.

Declared of International Tourist Interest in January 1965, Holy Week in Malaga is a major religious, social and cultural event. It begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday, with images representing the Passion of Christ in procession every day, except on Holy Saturday. In the city there are currently 41 passion brotherhoods within the Association of Brotherhoods of Malaga, which are the ones that carry out their procession along the so-called official route.

Brotherhoods of all kinds converge on the streets of the city: Brotherhoods of great tradition and antiquity such as El Rico, La Sangre, and Viñeros; others of a ceremonial nature, such as Expiración, Dolores de San Juan, Dolores del Puente, Monte Calvario, Salutación and others from the neighborhood, with a cheerful character and great devotion to their owners, such as El Cautivo, La Esperanza, El Rocío, Misericordia, Zamarrilla and The Arrest.

In addition to institutions and different bodies of the Spanish army such as the Legion, Regulares, Marines, the Paratrooper Brigade, Civil Guard, etc. In this city they are not called steps as in other cities, but thrones. These thrones have metal or wooden sticks protruding from the structure where the image is located. Many people from Malaga dress as Nazarenes to accompany the throne. Others carry out the penance station carrying the throne on one of their shoulders, reaching some brotherhoods to have their images carried by up to 280 men on the throne.

Equally noteworthy is Holy Week in other cities and towns in the province of Malaga, such as Vélez-Málaga, Estepona, Antequera, Ronda, Campillos, Arriate, Alhaurín de la Torre and Alhaurín el Grande, Benalmádena, as well as those of smaller municipalities such as Arenas, Álora, Pizarra and Frigiliana in the Axarquía.

Province of Seville

San Benito, Seville

Holy Week in Seville is one of the most important and recognized religious festivals in Spain, especially in the capital of the province where it receives a large number of tourists. Declared of International Tourist Interest and National Heritage of Spanish Royalty, being made up of a significant number of Royal and Fervorous Brotherhoods and Confraternities. In addition, Seville holds the title of "Mariana". The week spans from Palm Sunday to the following Sunday, which is Resurrection Sunday, with images representing the Passion and death of Christ in procession every day, totaling (for the week) more than 60 brotherhoods. Holy Week is lived throughout the year in the city and the Brotherhoods work every day on the three fundamental pillars that define them: Training, Worship and Charity. There are multiple welfare works that the Brotherhoods and Brotherhoods carry out in Seville and its Province. The penitence station or processional exit is the main external cult of the corporations but the Brotherhoods have numerous internal cults for their Headlines throughout the year (Novenas, Quinarios, Triduos, Hand Kisses, Proclamations, Conferences, Via Crucis...).

Also in the rest of the province in places like Utrera, Écija, Estepa, Alcalá del Río, La Roda de Andalucía, Lebrija, Osuna, Marchena and Morón de la Frontera, Holy Week is well known. A clear example of devotions in the province of Seville is found in a striking festival declared of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia called Las Carreritas, in the town of Pilas.

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