How Grand is Holy Week in Spain? - Semana Santa en Sevilla
Spring in Seville means two things, Semana Santa (Holy Week in English) and our similarly extravagant April Fair celebration. While the fair is all about traditional dance, delicious food, and ice-cold sherry, Semana Santa takes a very different tone.
Semana Santa in Seville is one of our most iconic celebrations, and the week leading up to Easter is a fascinating time to be in the city.
Huge statues representing various images from the Passion of Jesus Christ take to the streets in processions that last up to 12 hours. Schools shut down, certain workplaces close and the whole city bands together in appreciation of the spectacle.
The following are the major elements that make the event really grand. Perhaps the grandest not just in Spain but in the world.
Hermandad:
Each of the 115 plus churches in Seville has a brotherhood (hermandad) associated with it. These locals are in charge of the social calendar of the church, especially the organization of the major Holy Week procession. Being part of a brotherhood isn’t a profession, just a sign of the extreme dedication of the locals to the tradition itself.
El Paso:
The enormous pasos (floats that make up the procession) make a pilgrimage through the city. Each paso is an artistic representation of some part of the story of The Passion. Leaving their church, these statues, some of which are over 300 years old, wander through the narrow streets to the Seville Cathedral. Having passed through the cathedral itself, they then turn for home. This results in certain processions lasting upwards of 12 hours. What’s even more incredible is that the floats are actually carried by devoted locals!
Costaleros:
Costaleros, so named because of the white protective garment (el costal) they wear on their heads, take the weight of the float and carry it through the city. These locals are members of the church’s brotherhood. There are between 20 to 40 costaleros per float and they practice all year round, even in the extreme heat of August. Believe it or not, each year a special section of the hospital opens up to treat costalero injuries. Understandable given the floats can weigh up to a ton! While some processions are very long, costaleros will switch out every hour or two to take a bit of a break.