Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions begin throughout Spain, tomorrow. Here’s a taste of what to expect if you are heading to Málaga:
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Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions begin throughout Spain, tomorrow. Here’s a taste of what to expect if you are heading to Málaga:
East of Málaga 
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Thanks for sharing the amazing video of Semana Santa, Marianne. How dramatic and breathtaking. That moon, the soldiers marching and singing, and that music make it all the more moving. Great!
Glad you enjoyed it, Cathy.
We have just got back from Spain. We saw preparations for the processions but after seeing your video I want to be there next year! Fabulous ! Thank you
I hope you make it back, next year 🙂
Glorious, glorious… Thank you for the video, Marianne!
Glad you enjoyed it, Amy 🙂
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Very impressive. There will the same all over Catholic Europe this week. I miss it so much.
Yes, indeed, Valentina. Easter Week is a very special time in the Christian calendar.
Well, I now know where I’d like to be next Easter. I’ve been in France for Easter, where, apart from church services on Sunday, there was nothing much happening. I’d love to see the procession. They do it in Italy as well (saw it on TV). Thanks for telling us about the conical hoods – we all needed that explanation!
I hope you make it to Andalucia next Easter, Trish – it’s much more moving to actually be there. I’m sure you can imagine the atmosphere. It’s electric.
Look at my reply to Restless Jo – along with the routes and timings of the Malaga parades alone. This kind of thing (on a different scale) is happening in pretty much every town and village throughout Spain.
It’s tragic that the hoods are remembered as being connected to such a disgusting organisation as the KKK.
What a beautiful video, Marianne. Where will you be watching the procession? 🙂
There are up to 8 different processions every day this week, Jo, in Malaga city alone. Most of them last around 7 hours and some more than 12 hours. At some point of the day (or night) they will all be happening at the same time!
So that will give you a clue as to just how MASSIVE Semana Santa really is.
Here’s a link to some of the routes and timings: http://www.tvspain.tv/blog/?p=5699
I am going into Malaga one day this week to watch some of the different parades – but I will also be heading into my local villages of Competa, Torrox and Frigiliana.
Do they do something like this in Portugal, too, Jo?
I’m feeling seriously ‘homesick’ now, Marianne! I must spend next Easter in the Algarve but this year it’s close to my going to Poland for a wedding, and Michael’s business has been busy so he didn’t want to be away. 😦
I know Semana Santa is huge in Sevilla and have never been sure if I’d want to brave the crowds. I think it’s more low key in the Algarve, though I’ve only ever been to one procession, inland in Sao Bras, which was quite magical.
Well, whatever you do, Jo – I wish you a good one! 🙂 xx
You too, Marianne 🙂
What a fascinating ceremony! I would love to witness one someday. Thanks for the video Marianne.
I’ve never visited Malaga during Semana Santa, but I’m hoping to do that this week. I’m looking forward to it!
Looks like anyone heading in your direction this week is in for a big treat Marianne. I hope you enjoy every minute of it too.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
I’ll do my best, David. Thanks 🙂
I’ll probably bob into a few town and villages during the week to see how they do things differently.
Have a great week 🙂
I’m glad to read the explanation you gave Lucid Gypsy about the hoods. They flipped me out as well. Otherwise WOW!
Thanks for taking the time to watch, Gemma – yes, it’s important to know the origins.
You’re welcome.
🙂
By the way, anyone coming to Madrid can enjoy some procesiones as well. Don’t miss them!
Absolutely!
Happy Easter week 🙂
Thanks! Same to you and your readers.
Apart from those hoods that freak me out, it was truly spectacular!
A common feature of Semana Santa is the Nazareno or penitential robe for some of the participants in the processions.
This garment consists in a tunic, a hood with conical tip (known as a capirote) used to conceal the face of the wearer, and sometimes a cloak. The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the particular procession.
The robes were widely used in the medieval period for penitents, who could demonstrate their penance while still masking their identity.
Sadly, even though these robes and hoods have been used since medieval times in this way, they were “hi-jacked” by the Klu Klux Klan in the late 1860s – for which they are more “well-known” outside of Spain.
More’s the pity.
I wonder if it all may seem a bit creepy when observed from “outside”, that is, another culture.
I know what you mean, Cristina – I’m an outsider, and there are elements that could appear “creepy” (especially the hooded penitents), but when you see the true devotion, you can’t help but be moved.
Besides, these processions have been going on in a similar way for hundreds of years.
Of course! As an anthropology student I’m always wondering about how others understand rituals and uses 🙂
We fly out to malaga Monday and are planning to go to Nerja on Easter Sunday. Any tips as the best place to view the celebrations.
Near to the Balcon de Europa and the big white El Salvador chuch nearby – from where the processions will come and go.
Have fun!
that was fantastic. Quite haunting at the beginning when everybody was putting on their hats. And wow, those processions and the magnificent, what do you call them?, idols? they carried.
I guess I would say they are religious effigies, Ruth. Semana Santa in Spain is pretty amazing, whether or not you have faith.
Fabulous video Marianne, thanks for sharing
I’ll be posting something a bit more local, tomorrow, Maggie 🙂
Not quite so grand I expect, but a wonderful sight nevertheless
… and with less room for manoeuvre!